Fist Pump Friday

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! Happy Fist Pump Friday! This is going to be my last post for the next month or so - I'll be away getting married and then on my honeymoon in Costa Rica! Enjoy and I'll see you in 2012!

Something for Hannukah:


For Christmas:


For marriage:


Have a happy New Year!!

Fist Pump Friday

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Old(ish):

This Week in Sports

Sooo many teddy bears!!!



Things I liked:

• Albert Pujols is in a position to become a rich sonuvabitch in the very near future. St. Louis and Miami both want to offer him a contract worth more than $200MM. Must be nice.
  

Things I didn't like:

• This years National Championship title game will be played by...wait for it...LSU and Alabama. Oh, wait, I think someone just let the air out of children's balloons everywhere. Or maybe it's people kicking puppies that I hear? I mean, is this for real?! LSU's qualifications and whether or not they deserve to be playing in this game is undisputed, but Bama? Nick Saban has got to be sucking a dick somewhere (is it too soon to say that with everything at Penn State and Syracuse?) - they didn't win their conference, or even their division. Every year there is a questionable team either in or left out of the championship game, but this is bad.
• Peyton Manning's dad, Archie, is complaining about the Colts wanting to draft Andrew Luck. He doesn't think he and Peyton should play together. Wait...when did Archie Manning's opinion become relevant? Plus, who the hell know if Peyton will even be back to start next season. Sit down, Archie Manning.
• Matt Forte screwed my fantasy team this week when he sprained his MCL. He'll be out 2-4 weeks. Sucks.
  
• Tiger Woods won his first tournament this weekend since 2009. If it were up to me, that guy would never win again and my fiance would stop loving him.
  

Things that surprised me:

• People are speculating Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are both going to go to the Lakers. Yeah. Right.
• Boise State, San Diego State, SMU, UCF, and Houston are all headed to the Big East. What happened to Houston joining the Big 12? Doesn't SMU arguably belong in the Big 12 more than the Big East too? At least Boise State will have the opportunity to play better teams and prove (or disprove?) their case for a national title bid.

Life is a Choice

No this post is not about babies. This post is about the elderly. I saw a link posted on Facebook this weekend and it got me thinking about my life and the hopefully lengthy span of it left. It talks about people facing their mortality and reflecting on things they wish they had done differently in their lives.

I love the elderly as much as I love 3-5 year olds, for different reasons of course. Children hold wonder, confusion, interpretation and curiosity while the elderly hold knowledge, experience, memories and secrets. When I look at my grandparents I see the history of a time I learned about though will never experience. I love and celebrate wrinkles because they hold the story of your life.

That's what I want this post to be about. The story of your life. The mixture of the intelligence of these amazing people who are apart of a generation so different than ours with possibilities of our tomorrow. Some of the top life reflections include:

"1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me - Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to pass knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. 

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard - They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. All of the people I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. 

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings - Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends - Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved.

5. I wish I had let myself be happier - Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again."

Read the whole article here.

There are a couple of the reflections I can definitely relate to and want to spend some time working on. What do you do to live your life to the fullest? What are some of your dreams and goals? Leave a comment and let us know!

 

Fist Pump Friday

Something new - my fiance has been OBSESSED with this song - it will be playing at our wedding in 29 days...


Something not as new:


Something old - there's a good chance this will be playing at the wedding too:

This Week in Sports

So much happened this week!

Things I liked:

• After the play in the video below, Ndamukong Suh was ejected from the Lions' Thanksgiving Day game. This is not his first rodeo when it comes to losing his temper and getting into trouble. I love that in his interviews post game he said he didn't do anything at all and that God knows what he did. Idiot. (I like this because they ejected him.) At least he has been suspended for the next two games...as he should be.
  

• With Tim Tebow acting as their starting quarterback, the Denver Broncos have won their last 4 games. Way to go Tebow.
• Matt Leinart, who was starting for the Houston Texas this weekend with Matt Schaub out, was also taken out with a collarbone injury. Oh, the poor baby. I was hoping he'd get to play the Eagles and rematch Vince Young since after loosing to him at Texas in 2005 he thought USC was "still the better team." (So glad he got hurt...is that wrong?) Too bad he's not strong enough to last a whole game in the NFL.
• The University of Texas and Texas A&M played their last Thanksgiving/rivalry game for who knows how long. It was a really close game, but Texas ended up beating A&M 27-25 in the last seconds of the game. Now Texas has bragging rights for(ever) who knows how long. Of course, the Aggies will bitch and moan for the rest of their lives about the 15 yard penalty against Trent Hunter and use that to say UT didn't really win. Well, if A&M was that much better, a penalty wouldn't/shouldn't have decided the outcome of the game.
  

Things I didn't like:

• Why are athletes such actors? I guess the football players are taking it upon themselves to make up for the NBA lockout - fans need the drama [read: flops]. And why do refs go for it? Jerome Simpson is a clown:

• Sid the Kid is back after a concussion last year. Good for him that he's well enough to play, but I'm still just not that into him.
  

Things that surprised me:

• Didn't Urban Meyer say he was taking time off from coaching football to spend more time with his family/children? They done musta grown up quick, cause Ohio State has announced they will be paying him $40MM to coach their football team. And people say there's no money in college sports! Guess a new car/house/trust fund means more to his kids...
• So now the story is that the NBA will be coming back starting Christmas Day...assuming the agreement passes this week.
  

Fist Pump Friday

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Have a fantastic weekend!!

That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

This Thursday I'm Talking About being thankful!  You can't get through the month of November without a few gentle reminders of how important it is to thankful for what you have.

If you're ever feeling blue, studies show that if you begin to focus on the things that you are grateful for in your life eventually things will begin to look up again.  The feeling of gratitude is a powerful thing and can get you back into the right mindset.

Even if you're not feeling blue, making a list of the things you are thankful for can really help focus you in on what's most important in life.  If you sit down and try to write as many things as possible my guess is that you will begin to notice other things that you may not have noticed for in your day to day life and will appreciate them even more.

Thank you for reading!  And That's What I'm Talking About!

This Week in Sports

Things I liked:

• The Bears/Eagles game last night was a really good game. Did anyone watch?
• #1 ranked LSU and #2 ranked Bama played each other this weekend in the "Game of the Century." There was little to no offense in the game, it was all defense. I got bored. The final score of the game was 9-6.
  
• Mark Sanchez is a wimp - watch him at the top of the screen in the WR position here

Things I didn't like:

• Boxing great Joe Frazier died yesterday
• Mizzou has gone to the SEC, soon to be followed by A&M (good riddance) - when will College Football end up with super conferences and a play off system?

Things that surprised me:

• Kyle Busch was unable to race this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway for wrecking Rob Hornaday in the World Truck Series on Friday. He was also fined and put on probation for the rest of the year. Ron Hornaday said if Kyle Busch was not parked for the rest of the season, he (Ron) would buy a Cup car and take care of it himself. Kyle Busch has been parked for truck racing, but not Nascar. Ron Hornaday has bought a Cup car and entered it into this coming Sunday's race. This is not over. Hopefully no one gets killed.
  

(This is the same kind of crash that killed Dale Earnhardt.)

Things that disgusted and infuriated me:

• There is a really disgusting Penn State scandal that has surfaced that indirectly involves the football team. Jerry Sandusky, a retired assistant coach at Penn State, allegedly molested 8 children from a program he started for troubled kids. Joe Paterno, the athletic director, and other high ups at the university found out about this when one of the graduate assistants working with the football team witnessed Sandusky having sex with a 10-year-old boy in the football facility showers. This was child number two, was never reported to the proper authorities and happened with at least six more children. I really hope all of those bastards go to prison.
  

I'm wondering if the NHL is going to be smart enough to take advantage of the NBA lock out and up their viewership/fan base this season. We'll see what happens.

That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

As the weather cools down I feel like I have a TON of pent up energy.  Although I do not personally like cold weather, after being outside I am extremely energetic (as do my dogs after being outside as they tear through the house more and more as the temperatures drop).  I feel like it's less likely for me to have those days where I'm constantly tired, but I also seem to get stuck indoors.

The worst part about the cold temperatures is when you are stuck at a desk.  Little things like squeezing a stress ball just won't cut it so when you get breaks be sure to at least go for a brisk walk to try to spend some of that energy.  If you get enough exercise you may just be happy to sit back down! ;)

For those times where you get stuck at home, what kinds of indoor activities do you do to get rid of that constant energy?  Video game systems like the X-Box Kinect and the Wii can really wear you out in marathon sessions.  I also have exercise equipment in the basement- my favorite being my speed bag and heavy bag because boxing is a great energy release.  What are your favorite exercise machines?

The best part of the temperatures beginning to cool off?  I can now wear my Bruonis thermal shirt.  It's so soft and cozy!  Did you get yours yet?

And That's What I'm Talking About!

This Week in Sports

Things I liked:

• The NYC marathon is this weekend. I know about 10 people running it and wish I could be here to support them, but I'll be at the Texas v Texas Tech game in Austin. Shout out to my friend Adam who has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research through his upcoming marathon run!
• 20 years apart (almost to the day), Joe Buck and his dad made the same call (almost verbatum):

• I haven't talked about hockey yet this season, so I'll go ahead and share this little play by Patrick Kane. Sweet goal:

Things I didn't like:

• Phillip Rivers is sucking this season and it's screwing my fantasy team. Time to start playing my back up, Colt McCoy.
• Texas had a bad weekend in sports. After beating #3 OU at home last weekend (their first loss at home in 39 games), Tech lost to unranked Iowa State this weekend...bad. The Rangers blew the World Series for the second year in a row, the Cowboys lost to the Eagles (yay!)...
  

Things that surprised me:

• The owner of the Miami Heat was fined $500K for tweeting about the lockout talks. How stupid is this guy?
• Tony LaRussa becomes the first World Series winning manager to retire immediately after winning.
• The Texas Rangers literally had a melt down in game 6 of the world series. Twice they only needed one out to win the game and twice they completely blew it.

I'm interested to see what happens with the Texas v Texas Tech game this weekend. Tech has become a notorious National Championship title dream ruiner. Two weeks ago, they beat OU in Norman at homecoming when OU was favored by 30 points. They hadn't lost at home in 39 games. Then, this last weekend, Tech was embarassed at home by unranked Iowa State 41-7! This weekend, Tech is playing Texas in Austin. I'm interested to see how Tech shows against UT. I'm wondering if it will be a repeat of a few years ago, but backwards (in 2008 or 2009 Tech beat UT who was in the running for the National Championship after they beat OU in the Red River Shootout, but then went on to lose to OU when they played them and screwed UT's National Championship title hopes). So far everything is on track...OU beat UT in the Red River Shootout, Tech beat OU at home...now will they lose to UT this weekend? Would be really interesting if Tech wins...

Fist Pump Friday

New:


Loving this song. Or maybe it's the two drinks I just had at lunch....

Newish:


I'm getting my wedding dress fitted this weekend. (And I LOVE this song.)

Old...Happy Halloween:

That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

Are you trying to be thrifty, but really want to own your own Ladder Golf set?  Then I recommend that you either carefully research how to make a Ladder Ball game  cheaply or buying one instead to save yourself the time (and possibly the extra dollars!).

Our Midwest crew decided it would be fun to have a Ladder Golf tournament, so we went out and bought all of the supplies, sawed our PVC pipes to the correct length, and proceeded to paint everything in my back yard (including ourselves) while creating some kick butt ladders.  We ended up spending pretty much the same amount of money that we would have had to spend to purchase brand new, professional sets.  Sure, they weren't the prettiest Ladder Golf sets, but they're by far my personal favorites!

Have you been taking on any projects yourself to try to save some money?  What were they and did you end up saving money in the end?

I'm having fun being thrify- and That's What I'm Talking About!

Fist Pump Friday

Happy Friday! This morning I had a real urge to watch Romeo & Juliet. Or maybe it was just to watch Leonardo DiCaprio. Either way, we'll just go ahead and start there.

Old:


Not quite as old:


Newer (I'm obsessed with this song - I just am. It's hilarious):


Happy weekend! It's a perfect fall day in NYC, hopefully it's beautiful where you are too!

That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

In honor of National Tomboy Day being this week, here are 10 Warning Signs: "You May Be a Tomboy If..."

10. You may be a tomboy if you'd rather climb a tree or rock wall than go to the ballet.

9. You may be a tomboy if you drool while in the Nerf isle at the store.

8. You may be a tomboy if you live for the next live sports broadcast of your favorite team (heck, you're probably even going to the game).

7. You may be a tomboy if your favorite sports team loses and it ruins your week.

6. You may be a tomboy if you can belch with the best of 'em!

5. You may be a tomboy if it's raining outside and you think that means it's flag football time.

4. You may be a tomboy if your main eating utensils are your bare hands.

3. You may be a tomboy if you have the sweetest wheels on the block.

2. You may be a tomboy if you can change the sweetest wheels on the block.

1. You may be a tomboy if getting ready in the morning means closing your eyes, grabbing one of each of the types of the nearest Bruonis clothing items that you need for the day, throwing them on, and heading out the door to have your next adventure.


And That's What I'm Talking About!

This Week in Sports

Things I liked:

• It's kind of nice to see LSU back at the top of the college football rankings. So much better than, say, USC. Glad the media finally gave up on them.
• I love that because the NBA is definitely going to have a lock out or at least a late start, the players are all going to Europe.
  
• A friend's Facebook status after last weekend's Patriots game: "Dear Wes Welker, From one Red Raider to another...Lets get married!" We love Wes Welker in this neck of the woods. That is all.
• This brave soul threw a hot dog at Tiger Woods. I wish there was better video. Hahahaha.

Things I didn't like:

• Last week in the Rangers/Tigers playoff series, a long game in the 11th inning was won by the Rangers after Nelson Cruz scored the first post season walk off grand slam in history. Good for him. Bad for the Tigers.
• The Lions lost to the 49ers this weekend after going 4-0 to open the season. Only the Lions and the Packers were able to go 4-0. Guess they had to lose some time and better to the 49ers than the Cowboys.
• Dan Wheldon, an Indy race car driver, was involved in a crash this weekend that took his life. The safety of racing is now under scrutiny again.
• The Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals are going to the World Series. Go Cards!
  

Things that surprised me:

• Michigan State beat Michigan 28-14 this weekend. Yay Sparties!
• How's your fantasy team doing, you ask? Great! I'm in second place and have a pretty sucky team. I'll take it! Special thanks to Colt McCoy and Wes Welker - both of whom I went to school with and picked up in the draft as an act of school spirit.
• Sidney Crosby sustained a concussion in January of this year. He is still showing concussion symptoms...9 months later! I don't like the kid, but man, that's not a good thing. I hope he recovers completely soon!
• Carson Palmer came out of retirement to play for the Raiders. Who does he think he is, Brett Favre?!?
  

Anyone got anything fun I missed?

Now for a serious, personal note: I found out I had a friend take his own life this weekend. I don't know how people get to that place, but the people around them always wish they had done something more in some way at some point. Please don't ever get to that place. Talk to someone you know. Anyone! I assure you anyone who knew him would have been honored to talk to him about whatever was hurting him. Please just talk.

Fist Pump Friday

Welcome to Friday! As I told you on Tuesday, Bruonis headed up to New York combining our East and West Coast offices for a girls' weekend. We are currently in upstate New York and want to include all of you in our girls weekend. Enjoy and Happy Friday. 

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That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

This past weekend the Midwest Bruonis crew attended the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400.  And I have to tell you... even though the race was not very eventful- with Jimmie Johnson leading over half of the laps- it was still an amazing experience.  Those of you who have ever been to a race know what I mean!

For those of you who have never experienced a professional race, you must add this to your bucket list.  You won't believe how loudy the engines roar or how fast the cars whiz by!

Me?  I am adding the opportunity to drive a NASCAR car around the track myself to my bucket list.  It is one of many of my must-do experiences.

Have any of you ever driven a racecar?  Do you have a bucket list?  What's on it?

Well, race on race fans- whether it's on the track or on your way to work or school!  And That's What I'm Talking About!

Fist Pump Friday

In memory of Steve Jobs:


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Happy weekend!

That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

Yarr!  What it is about pirates that people love so much?  They're bad guys.  I thought we were supposed to like good guys!  Oh well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

This past weekend the Midwest Bruonis crew went to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival's Pirate Weekend.  Luckily the pirates there knew better than to mess with us.  We attempted to blend in, but unfortunately acting "too much" like  a pirate was frowned upon.  Here are a couple of the things we learned are not okay to do during pirate weekend:

1. Do not "hop aboard" the food vendor's stands to pillage their food or take their money.  You must pay with money you brought.  Bummer.

2. If the acting is horrible at the Renaissance Festival's mini-shows you are not allowed to make the actors walk the plank.  You have to politely smile and clap as if the show was enjoyable.  (Also do not leave in the middle or you'll get some scowls.  Just grin and bear it.  It will end eventually.)

3. There is no hidden treasure on the fairgrounds during pirate weekend.  Seriously?  What is the point of pirate weekend if there is no treasure?  The large hole that we dug while searching had swallowed up a few passer-buyers.  It was only then that we were advised that the treasure didn't exist.  What is the point of giving us a map with everything on it- including a giant red "X"?  We didn't need to know where to buy fairy wings.

Hopefully you all can learn from our plunder blunders.  Set a course for the horizon this weekend and maybe try to choose a less destructive role model than a pirate (unless of course you like causing trouble).

Fist Pump Friday

Sorry, I don't have a theme or anything witty to say this week. Foster the People played in New York this week, I'm going to see TV on the Radio next Wednesday and I saw a few of my friends were listening to Bright Eyes on Spotify, which I was going to post, but when looking up "Bright" on YouTube, I thought of Mr. Brightside, so there you have it. Have a happy weekend!!

That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

In 1898 James Naismith brought the game of basketball, the one he invented, to the University of Kansas. Since then basketball has been the sport that Jayhawks live for.

This past weekend the Midwest Bruonis crew enjoyed some high quality sports entertainment ­­­­­at the first ever Legends of the Phog game at the University of Kansas. We saw NBA stars such as Paul Pierce, Mario Chalmers, Nick Collison, the Morris twins (Marcus and Markieff), Greg Ostertag, Xavier Henry, Julian Wright, and Brandon Rush face off... KU vs. KU in a game that showcased some of the best talent that KU has had in recent years.

Photo Credit: Leanna Sutliff

The game ended in a fantastic finish that could not be scripted. With approximately 35 seconds left in the game and the score tied at 108-108, Paul Pierce ran the shot clock out with a three-pointer that hit just as the buzzer sounded. It was the type of amazing, game-winning type of shot that kids practice out on their driveways. Many players thought that the game was over and began to clear the benches. However, referees pointed out that there were still 5 seconds of game play left and the game resumed.

The ball in-bounded to Mario Chalmers who took the ball right up to the center of the three-point line, pump faked a few times, and took the fans back to the shot in the 2008 NCAA Championship game where he sunk a three-pointer to tie the game when it seemed like all hope was lost. The fans erupted- roaring and cheering as loudly as their vocal chords would let them.

Once again, it was the type of game that could not be scripted even more perfectly. Thinking back through all of the games you have seen in your life, which one stood out the most? Which moments in time were so amazing that they occurred in slow motion?

I live for great sport moments... if you do too, you know why That's What I'm Talking About!

This Week in Sports

Things I liked:

• TMZ asked Erin Andrews if spelling is a sport. Har har.
  

• Wes Welker was an awesome decision for my fantasy team - he's killing it for me. He was a beast at Texas Tech (we went to school there at the same time) and he's a beast now. Love.
• Baseball playoffs are coming. Finally, something interesting in baseball will happen.
• Julio Jones is on my fantasy team. here is why:

Things I didn't like:

• Boston pitcher, John Lackey, it apparently divorcing his wife who has been getting treatments for a couple years for breast cancer. The media got wind of this and has blown it up. A reporter sent him a text message before a game asking about the divorce and it seems to have pissed him off. Not sure how I feel about an athlete's personal life being the focus of attention rather than their game. Also, you never know the whole story, maybe he's not the bad guy here?
• The big 12 may be falling apart. :(
  

Things that surprised me:

• Both the Detroit Lions and the Buffalo Bills are 3-0 so far this season. This is the first time since 1980 that the Lions have been 3-0.
• Michael Vick "broke" his hand this weekend during the Eagles game. On Monday, the team came out and said it was just badly bruised. Vick has been whining this week about the hit being illegal. He's now, reportedly, going to play this weekend.
  

Weekend Update: Fall Release

I know this has been a long time coming, though we are finally in a great place to release the Fall line. We are pairing up with our close friend and photographer Blair Bunting to shoot this Friday.

One reason for the delay is we wanted to focus on October and Breast Cancer Awareness. Sports teams and companies and everyone else represent by wearing the color pink for the month of October, though we want ladies to know you don't have to wear pink or use pink tools to be aware of your boob health.

With that, a portion of the proceeds for anything, any color purchased in the month of October will be donated to a breast cancer research charity. Buy yourself something you will wear.

Have a great week!

Fist Pump Friday

It's Fist Pump Friday! Sorry it's so late in the day - it's been a really rough week! It's super rainy here in New York and I just need something relaxing and positive for the weekend.

Something old:



Something new(ish):



Have a great weekend!

Weekend Recap: Fall Activities

So it is now Fall. As we were hanging out this weekend we started talking about what there is to do in the Fall. During the summer we spend a lot of time around water and in the winter we are snowboarding or like activities. Though what is there to do in the Fall?

The weather is just starting to cool down here, so hiking is one of the things I'm looking forward to most. Also, prime time for camping. Get the fire going and don't forget the guitar, one of your friends has to know how to play guitar.

Let us know what you are looking forward to this Fall.

Fist Pump Friday

I just love this song. I love that this video was shot all in one take. I love the gorilla dancers. I love the roommate (?) doing the girl voice. I could watch this all day.

That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

This week I'm taking you home. I've been encouraging you lately to go out and see the world and I think it's time for me to reel you in again.

You see, Tomboys tend to think they're indestructible and that tends to lead to trouble. Sure, we have fun, but sometimes we pay the price. At least I do. I tend to have a diffent injury at least once a week- which brings me back to why I'm taking you home...

We all lead fun, busy lives, but it's time to get that big chore that's been nagging you at home completed. You know the one-- the one that's been nagging at you. For me, that nagging chore is that my room needs to be cleaned. Desperately.

I keep putting it off, but time and time again I'm getting injured and I wish over and over that I had gotten it done, but here I sit, injured hand, unable to relax. Well, my friends, it's time to get that one thing done that's been bugging you! Get it done now so when you go out and have a great time this weekend you can do it worry free. If you happen to get sidelined it won't be as big of a deal because you'll have all your stuff done and you'll be able to concentrate on what your next reckless act will be!

P.S. If you figure out how to get your pets to help you get your project done, please let me know the secret. Mine are lazy bums. Sooner or later I'll have to have a big enough path to walk through in my room with crutches or will need to get to something easily while one of my arms is in a sling and it looks like I'm going to have to do all the work myself!

P.S.S. Don't try to pet stray cats!

And That's What I'm Talking About!

This Week in Sports

Things I liked:

• Sunday in the Women's US Open final, Serena Williams, who has dominated the tournament (with the exception of the game she defaulted to attend Kim Kardashian's wedding - priorities) was matched against Australian, Samantha Stosur (who wasn't even born the last time an Australian woman won the US Open). I started out rooting for Serena Williams because she is an American and was slightly disappointed when she didn't win. That is, until the little outburst in the video below. She has been fined $2,000 for that. Then, they showed her family and friends after the match. Not a single one of them clapped for Samantha Stosur. Rude. And, I guess, as to be expected, Serena didn't shake the hand of the ref at the end of the match. Why would I want to support this person?? So, the reason this is in "Things I liked" is because I'm glad Serena was fined, and I'm happy for Samantha Stosur.
  

• Danny Amendola is on my fantasy team and the Rams. He was injured Sunday, along with Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford, who were all taken out of the game. The Rams all but fell apart. This could be under things I didn't like, cause that sucks. The reason it's under things I liked is that when Amendola hurt himself (it looked like he broke his arm), Fox didn't show a replay because it looked so bad. Kudos to them for not making me rewatch it. My fiancé with the DVR is another story...
• I meant to post this last week. Djokovic spotted some guy in the stands dancing at the US Open, so he then responded with a little dance of his own. Then he invited the guy to come meet him and dance with him. Good to see he has a better attitude than Serena Williams.

• Novak Djokovic won the Men's US Open title last night in a 4+ hour match. Congrats to him.
• Last night's football game between the Patriots and the Dolphins was a good show. It included a 99 yd touchdown by Wes Welker, Tom Brady's first interception in 11 months, and a field goal that tied the league record (63 yards).
  

Things I didn't like:

• In a tragic accident last week, a private plane crashed at an airport in Russia. As it turned out, that plane carried one of the top hockey teams in Russia. One player and one crew member survived the crash and it has been announced that the last player has just died. So, so sad.
• The Mayweather/Ortiz fight is this coming Saturday. I am hard core rooting for Ortiz. I've been watching HBO's series 24/7 leading up to the fight and Mayweather just makes me sick. He's arrogant and has an ego larger than Kanye West's...ok, maybe I'm getting crazy. I will be at a wedding, so won't watch the fight, but I sure hope Ortiz wins. Anyone else been watching 24/7?
  

Things that surprised me:

• Michael Jordan, part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, talked to reporters about the NBA lockout, which you're apparently not supposed to do. To teach him his lesson, the NBA fined him $100,000. His offense was really 50 times worse than Serena Williams? I think not.
• Steve Smith, from the Panthers, equaled the amount of touchdowns he scored in 2010 in the first week of this season, which means he either sucked last year or is in serious need of a thank you and a raise. Seems the lockout was good for this guy.
• The Packers started out the first game of this season absolutely spanking the Saints, but the Saints caught up. The game ended 34-42 Green Bay. It was a good season opener and I was able to avoid Obama's speech - win!
• Did anyone see this fight between the Steelers and Ravens this weekend? I was shocked no one was kicked out of the game.

Weekend Recap: A Tribute

This weekend, we as a country reflected on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11/01 attack. The people of this country rallied together as a unit to save anyone they could. We never stopped searching for those who were trapped and we will never forget the people who gave their lives for this great country.

I hope September 11th becomes a celebration. A celebration of the strength, determination and perseverance of our great country. A day that terrorists underestimated the camaraderie of American citizens to stand up and fight for everything this country stands for. God Bless the USA!

Fist Pump Friday

So much going on this week!

First of all, I would like to say: WELCOME BACK, FOOTBALL!! So many theme songs - one for CBS, one for NBC, one for FOX, one for Monday night, one for Sunday night...it's exhausting. Here's one of them...



Second, the US, especially NYC is focused on 9/11, which we want to commemorate, but also try to keep upbeat:



And finally, Foster the People is all over the place lately. If you're not familiar, get familiar.



Happy Friday!

That's What I'm Talking About Thursday

I love this time of year! As the weather begins to cool, the fun events begin to pop up everywhere! There are tons of fundraising runs to prepare for and kick butt in. There are an increased number of fairs and carnivals with lots of evil food to spoil yourself with (you've been training hard for your runs so you "deserve" it). Plus it becomes easier and easier to spend every waking moment outdoors- having an adventure.

This last weekend we were able to make an appearance at the Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival where the patrons attempted to break the world record for the greatest number of people doing the Macarena at once. Now, I said I was there, but I just couldn't bring myself to be quite that dorky (I'm typically a goofball, but the Macarena in public is just a bit too much for me!). The previous record was 2,200 people and this attempt gathered only 1,400 that were willing to make a fool of themselves. I am proud that we did not set the record for the most Macarena dorks(but I secretly envy those who were brave enough to do it)!

If you would also like to witness this epic fail/spectacle, please check out the video below- I was quite entertained! I am warning you ahead of time though-- it's hard to get that song out of your head!



Go out there and soak up these great times- and don't forget to rock your Bruonis gear when you do! And That's What I'm Talking About!

This Week in Sports

Things I liked:

• I went to the US Open and got to see Roddick and Sharapova play (not each other). Things I learned: 1. It is so fun to watch men play when they make it look effortless. 2. Sharapova is a beast - that woman is 6'2"! 3. Her screaming is seriously obnoxious (and entirely unnecessary).
  
• College football is BACK! Thank God USC is no longer ranked #1 for no good reason and Texas is back on the board after beating Rice this weekend.
• The NFL's season begins Thursday night with the Saints at Green Bay - should be a good game! (Assuming the game isn't pushed off the air by more Obama campaigning.)
  

Things I didn't like:

• The rain is seriously putting a damper on things (except the fires in Texas, which are really devastating) - This weekend's NASCAR race was moved to today; the West Virginia football game - they played part of it, but not sure if the rest was postponed and for how long; and at least one whole day of US Open play, although I wouldn't be surprised if it's longer - it's supposed to rain all week here. Can we send that rain to Texas, please? We don't need any more flooding in the northeast.
  

Things that surprised me:

• After one of his matches this weekend, Nadal got some nasty leg cramps. Check out the video. Apparently they were in both the front and back of his legs, so he couldn't just stretch it out. Looks painful.

That's What I'm Talking About Thursdays

This weekend is going to be epic! Are you wondering what is happening this weekend? Well, that is up to you. However, I must caution you that if you do not strive to make each weekend epic you are really missing out.

So what does this have to do with a dog with a cone on her head? It was meant to be a gentle reminder that you never know what may come along in life, so you have to enjoy it while you can. Take care of yourself- drink lots of water, eat well, and get as much rest as you can fit into your busy schedule. If something does happen that gets you down just move on and focus on the positive aspects of what's happening in life.

What's happening? Remember, that's up to you. Go out there and have an amazing weekend.

What epic plans do you have for the weekend?

This Week in Sports

Sorry I was MIA last week - some of this stuff is from the post I started for last week and didn't quite complete.

Things I liked:

• My fantasy draft was last night and my team name is either going to be "A Bunch of Little Girls" (as in, who did you beat this week? or who beat you this week? - doesn't sound good either way) or "Farve Dollar Footlong." TBD. What's your fantasy team name?
  
• Danica Patrick is racing in NASCAR full time in 2012
• The Cubs fired their GM (he had the longest tenure in the MLB)
• The Yankees became the first team in major league history to hit three grand slams in one game
• Jeremy Shockey saved Ben Hartsock's life, but seriously, who has pork tenderloin in their cafeteria at work?!?
  
• The US Open has begun
  

Things I didn't like:

• Big fight between the Georgetown Hoyas basketball team and the team they were playing in China. No idea what caused it. Looks like this was taped in 1967.

• Tennessee Women's basketball coach, Pat Summitt, has release that she has been diagnosed with early onset dementia. So sad.
  

Things that surprised me:

• Chad "Ochocinco" was hit hard in a pre-season game. Mason Foster, the guy who hit him, was called for unnecessary roughness. Ochocinco said he thought it was a legit hit and if Foster was fined, he would pay it. He was find. Ochocinco payed it.
• A&M is trying to leave the Big 12 again. Good riddance. (I LOVE that the SEC told them they didn't want them.)
• Usain Bolt false started the 100 m dash at the World Championship and got himself disqualified. (What's up with him immediately taking off his shirt??)
  

Things I thought were weird:

• Novak Djokovic (number one ranked men's tennis player in the world) credits his success/endurance to spending time in a pressurized "space egg"
  

Fist Pump Friday

So, hurricane Irene is causing a big stir in the media which is, in turn, causing everyone to be completely irrational. People are evacuating, the city plans to stop running public transportation, I'm sure you can't find bottled water anywhere right now, etc, etc, etc. In homage to this mass idiocy, this week I have selected Milli Vanilli's Blame it



I feel like I should also post REM "It's the End of the World as we Know it" again, but since I just posted that in May, I decided to find something else.

Ok Go has a new song out - The Muppets Theme Song! Check it out!

That's What I'm Talking About Thursdays

Hello to all my Bruonis buddies out there! My name is Jill and I am going to keep you up to date on what's going on in the Midwest with Bruonis.

A little about me so you'll know what to expect on Thursdays: do not expect anything. I love animals (have 6 critters in the house), sports, adventure, learning about anything and everything, and just plain having fun so That's What I'm Talking About on Thursdays.

I recently came up with "Ostriching." You can find it at www.facebook.com/Ostriching. I thought of it on my own, but so did other people (it was the next obvious step after the photo craze "Owling"), but hey my pics are the best so I win. So there. :P I love to blog, so you are going to have to hear about whatever my current zany projects are. Sorry.

The thing I like more than anything is talking with my readers! If you're not talking back I'm not doing my job! Today I'd like to hear what animals you have at home, what sports you like to watch and play, what you consider to be a great adventure, and what you'd like to learn about. I'd like to read about you all so I'll know What I'm Talking About! No response=no good, not acceptable. Put your two cents in below.

Fist Pump Friday: Cobra Starship

Welcome to another Friday. I came across a new release from Cobra Starship and am dedicating this Friday to them. Seriously, I love how fun and free flowing their music is. Enjoy and have an amazing weekend.

http://blog.bruonis.com/2011/08/fist-pump-friday-cobra-starship.html

Fist Pump Friday: Cobra Starship

Welcome to another Friday. I came across a new release from Cobra Starship and am dedicating this Friday to them. Seriously, I love how fun and free flowing their music is. Enjoy and have an amazing weekend.

This Week in Sports

Things I liked:

• Pro football is back! Regular season starts Thursday, September 8.
  
• 25 year old Bradley Keegan who was ranked 108th in the world and a PGA tour rookie became the third player in at least 100 years to win a major on his first try.
• Oh, LeBron...

Things I didn't like:

• Scary Nascar crash last night. This is why I don't drive 200 mph...or at all.

Things that surprised me:

• Colt McCoy spent the summer being "tutored" by Brett Favre

PS - Has anyone else heard that Abercrombie is offering to pay "The Situation" NOT to wear their clothes?? I LOVE it.

Fist Pump Friday

Wanted to post this song this week, but I can't embed it. Booo.

The loss the so many of our armed forces in the last couple weeks has been so so sad, so this is in honor of them.



And something fun for the weekend:

Weekend Recap: Friends on Top Gear

So this weekend was really fun, one of our close friends Local Motors was premiered on Top Gear. TG is a TV show on the History Channel where three dudes, break shit. Or try to break shit.

Local Motors is a new American car company who has a car called the Rally Fighter that is in production. The Rally Fighter is seriously one badass car. Ladies it is something you would love to get your hands on. . . TRUST ME.

We had a watching party and met so many people on twitter and through facebook. It was such a great experience.

----

On recent topics Fall 2011. The line is in production and will be ready soon. We are not in stores as of yet, so the only place you can get the gear is online. BUT we want to hear from you. What local shops would you like to see Bruonis in? Send us the name of the shop in the comments below  and we will see what we can do.

Fist Pump Friday

Katy Perry looked awesome in the 80s. This video is hilarious and all the guest appearances are fantastic. Watch it. Do it.



PS. Has anyone else noticed that sax solos are back? Pay attention - they're all over the radio.

And something old for your Friday listening pleasure. David Bowie takes me back to the Labyrinth. I loved that movie.

Woman of the Week: Sally K. Ride

WOMAN OF THE WEEK

SALLY K. RIDE

1951-LIVING

Sally was the first American female and youngest American to enter space in 1983, 20 years after the first female to enter space (Valentina Tereshkova 1937 - Living entered space in 1963).

The thing that fascinates me about Sally is that she had this drive mixed with a sense of adventure. She was months away from finishing her PhD and she saw an ad from NASA looking for female astronauts and she went for it. Normally everyone tells you to finish what you start but she knew this is what she wanted to do with her life and she just did it. 

She was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame on June 21, 2003, almost 20 years to the day of her first flight in space. 

Is there something that you wanted to do and did even though others told you it wouldn't happen or you couldn't do it? Share your story with us! 

Workout Cheats: Good or Bad?

You know the age old sayin' "You don't cheat anyone but yourself." Is it really true? Are there things in your workout that you can do that will not change the outcome either way? Sure. But there are also some cheats you should avoid, because in the end it really does hurt your workout.

One thing I know a lot of women are guilty of is the I don't need to workout my legs because I am already doing so in my cardio. This is something that is not such a good idea according to a Women's Health article. Your body needs the strength training to balance out the strength of your muscles.

You wouldn't want to look lopsided would you?

Read the full article here.

Weekend Recap: Simple Pleasures

So there are some weekends that you just need a break. That definitely was this weekend for some of the Bruonis family. We spent most of Saturday hanging out next to the pool.

Saturday night though Phoenix had one of it's famous monsoon storms. It was really nice to hang with the crew with just the radio and a beautiful lightning show. What are some of your simple pleasures in life?

 

Fist Pump Friday

It's a crappy Friday here in New York - gray with the threat of rain. Hoping this will put me (and you too!) in the mood for an awesome weekend!

Old:


New:


Happy weekend!!

Popsicle Goodness

So it's hot just about everywhere right now. Except for maybe Antartica. So here's one of our favorite popsicle recipes from a feature in Women's Health. Go here to see the rest of the recipes.

Photo by Simply Bike

Blueberry-Lavender Lemonade
Blueberries, especially the wild kind, have among the highest antioxidant count of any berry. And pairing them with an aromatic floral herb like lavender gives these pops a decidedly summery flavor.

1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp culinary lavender
1 1/4 cups water, divided
3 Tbsp lemon juice (or juice of 1 to 1 1/2 lemons)
1/2 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

Bring sugar, lavender, and 1/4 cup water to boil in saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and steep for at least 30 minutes. Combine remaining water with lemon juice. Strain lavender from sugar syrup, add syrup to lemon water, and mix well. Evenly distribute into ice-pop molds, filling each about three-quarters full. Drop several blueberries into each mold, until the liquid reaches the top. Insert sticks and freeze for about 8 hours.

Per serving: 60 cal, 0 g fat, 16 g carbs, 0 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein

Enjoy.