peeps. photography.

This ain’t no Washington Post peeps diorama, but peeptastic nonetheless.

National Geographic peeps contest!

The Nation is now recruiting participants:

KMM: “this would be fun to do!!!!!!”

The Twin: “i’d like to eat them too. maybe we can incorporate their new choco covered kind and take them to the MoMa as they are the essence of modernity.”

midweek. moodswing.

Is everyone having one of those weeks? If so, hop on the bandwagon. What’s with today, today?

Some things to lighten your mood..

The twin’s stuffed animals from China:

Texts from last night:

(501): I changed the name of my iPod to ‘The Titanic’ so when I plug it in it says ‘The Titanic is syncing.’

(215): is it bad that i have made the decision to never travel to vienna simply b/c of that transvestite that won the bachelor?

[More] Bachelor commentary:

“he’s going to pick the horse’s ass named after sausage instead of this adorable little doll?”

Just announced: CHOCOLATE COVERED PEEPS!

Seriously!

And if that’s not enough, three words:

Giant. Inflatable. Beavers.

Happy hump day, ya’ll.

practicing. prey-garism.

So, anyone watching the new season of 24? If you have, you might have noticed an interesting storyline involving yours truly. No, I’m not moonlighting as a CTU agent in the Empire State. However, I did manage to get written into the storyline.

Let’s begin here:

Dana Walsh, CTU. Beginning with the obvious. But not only is her name Dana, she’s also a Senior Analyst at CTU. Sound familiar? Hey, me too!

We’re just getting started.

Wait a minute, Dana’s name is actually Jenny? Okay, we get it.. we look alike. TWINS!

Uh oh, this guy seems to have as much trouble telling Dana and Jenny apart as our mom does! Maybe it’s hereditary? No you say, it’s this dude having the name amnesia and not The Twins. Oh wait, did we mention that THIS GUY’S NAME IS KEVIN?!

Let’s recap:

So there’s this Senior Analyst named Dana, who also goes by Jenny, and she is harassed by a dude named Kevin. Yup, this sounds like my life story with a little government ineptitude.

Throw a little Sark in there, and you’ve got the best season of 24 EVER!

I should sue Fox for life infringement.

family. flambe.

Never a dull moment in Harrisonburg! Oh wait, are we talking about the Turkey Capital? The same place where Walmartin’ is a verb? So something indeed very exciting and slightly panicking happened while at home in the ‘burg for the Thanksgiving holidays. Contrary to popular belief, I was not cooking.

Turns out we had a suspected gas leak, so mother dearest called 911, and asked the operator specifically to NOT send trucks. So obviously she sent 4.

As they came blaring up our dead-end street, The Twin and I ran for cover, due to sheer mortification. The troops came in FULL gear (hats, oxygen tanks, masks, etc.) and rather disappointingly did not resemble anything that I had learned about firemen from the internets.

After it seemed improbable that the house was going to spontaneously combust from a gas leak, I took the opportunity to inquire if the firemen had slid down the pole for us. (No).

The house was eventually cleared by the firemen and gas guy. We are saved!!

vegas. virgins.

VEGASSSSSS. Ignoring the fact that there has already been another trip taken and in queue for the blog report, we will get on with the Vegas weekend recap. As you can already tell, it was a huge success — a $13 cashout at the airport slots (off of a $5 investment). I came, I saw, I conquered.

So this summer has been packed with weddings and wedding related events, but this one was more difficult to swing in the workplace. A bachelorette? Hmm. A bachelorette in Vegas? Yup, my coworkers must think I’m a ginormous hooker.

Things learnt while on our inaugural trip to Vegas:
- throwing [new] underwear all over the bachelorette’s bed is a normal activity
- you can visit any major landmark, regardless which country it actually resides in. Don’t consider this an appropriate substitute for the real thing.
- we have a very classy broad entering the Prey family..
- the Bellagio brunch with all you can drink champagne is quite possibly the greatest activity (and bargain at $29) in the world
- Keno is the new blackjack
- Wet Republic (the VIP pool) is like being on MTV
- I might have been the only person in the world to bring an issue of Business Week to said pool
- Stacey is the queen of getting us invited into expensive cabanas
- bring your walking shoes.. The Strip goes on for milessss.
- one can’t be afraid of seeing boobs and equally offensive imagery, as inappropriate fliers completely litter the streets
- Grey Goose comes in gallon-sized bottles
- I really don’t own any Vegas appropriate [ie slutty] clothes
- chicks can get in anywhere they want in town
- it’s totally appropriate to take a stretch Hummer to get around town
- not at all a shocker: Pete Rose in Vegas
- Six Sigma training is brutal on its own. Six Sigma training the day after Vegas is suicidal.

what cab?

Til the next wedding event..

twin. terrors.

The Twins go to DC! Well, technically little J already lives there. The real reason for the trip was to try on bridesmaid dresses for the upcoming nuptials of Big Brother. Turns out, a bridal store like David’s Bridal was everything I dreamt it to be and more:

Average bridal customer

The worst part? We had to register our information since the bride didn’t have an account (got her dress elsewhere). Which means we inevitably are on 39473865 wedding mailing lists now, great! But on the bright side, the dresses were cute (& inexpensive), the wedding will be in Puerto Rico, and The Twin bought me a burrito afterward.

After the suburban scare known as Springfield, VA.. we headed off to Georgetown, where I was able to acquire my much-lusted after whale hat from Vineyard Vines!

For professional preps only

First seen at the Head of the Charles last year, I had been on a mission to get one of my own. The VV store in Copley was giving them away to children last November (I was too mortified to ask for one), but finally I was able to procure one in Georgetown!

Afterwards, we headed back to The Twin’s abode in Columbia Heights, where there were presents for yours truly waiting:

Yes, that’s a WALL-E toothbrush, al paca figurine from Peru, and CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON!!

Next day: Nat’s game. Sorry to say to my beloved Bravos, Nationals Field is pretty much the nicest ballpark I’ve been to (although have not made it to the new Yankee Stadium). Even the recycling containers were awesome.

The Twin demonstrates how to recycle at Nat's Field

The best part? The Presidents race, of course. Like sausages except our fearless leaders and not in Milwaukee.

Abe takes a huge lead

But then stops to tear up a Mets sign

George, Tommy J and Teddy all take advantage

But Abe doesn't seem to care

After the game, the Presidents were out and about in the stadium. I got to say hello to GW.

George really liked my new Dooney

And of course, the best president of them all..

Tommy J!

And this is totally unrelated, but I really like this shirt:

Prey Twin weekend = success.

marathon. monday.

How to race a crit. Or, not.

“it’s always better breaking at inappropriate times so that the rest of the field considers you slightly insane.” -A-dub

This weekend was a double dose of everything — double the races (cycling and running), double the P rey’s (D ana and J enny). Yes, The Twin was in Boston for the marathon to cheer on CB.

First things first: The marathon expo. Like a kid in a candy shop, it was complete sensory overload. The initial stop was at Nike, of course.

Yes, the LunaRacer are the same shoes that yours truly wore in the NYC Half Marathon last summer. They are light as a feather and look like a spaceship. Kara Goucher wore them in the NYC Marathon in the fall too. Oh, and she’s a 10K runner turned successful marathoner.. should I be taking the hint too?

Adidas = official apparel sponsor = 21 years of marathon jackets on display. Another shot. Pretty impressive.

Marathon Monday: We're ready.

After dropping CB off at the shuttle buses at an ungodly hour Monday morning, The Twin and I went back to bed. After our early morning nap, we took our breakfast provisions to Heartbreak Hill and proceeded to wait for the elites and CB to come tearing down the course.

First came the women:

Kara’s race strategy? “Wait wait wait wait wait wait wait SPRINT!” Apparently the race pace was a little slow (if you can call a sub 6-min marathon pace slow), and Kara took third. Not bad considering it’s her 2nd marathon ever. Ryan Hall took 3rd for the elite men. Go America.

And Chris destroyed the elusive 3-hour milestone by more than 5 min. It should be noted that Chris’ marathon success can only be attributed to the forced watching of The Ewok Adventure the night before (i.e. Prey Twin favorite movie of all time).

YUB YUB

We didn’t have time to watch the highly anticipated sequel, The Battle for Endor, but we’re sure that it’s being cued up on Chris’ Netflix as we speak.

My cycling race plan for this weekend? “Maybe we can have a makeup marathon party before the MIT crit and then throw drunken attacks that weave and go slowly and fade rapidly.” Yes, I think we have a winner.

Now, wrapping up life as a graduate student and trying to figure out what to do with my future. I am open to your suggestions..

peep. show.

The third annual Washington Post Peeps contest!

My favorite? #29, the Peep-E one, of course! It’s even made out of bike parts. The Twin likes the As Seen on TV one (#39), Octo-peep (#3) is pretty funny (even though I hate that woman with a passion), and Arethra’s hat rules (#9).

Peeps Show III – washingtonpost.com

technology. toys.

MC: For your next work desk.. You should get one of these:
http://usbgeek.com/prod_detail.php?prod_id=0651

DP: I want this to go next to it!
MC: I would be amazing if R2D2 could walk across your desk and bring you a coke…
DP: and then wall-e can crush the can when i’m done!
MC: ta-da!

Also:

http://gizmodo.com/5105938/obsessively-detailed-wall+e-bento-art-is-way-too-perfect-to-eat

The Twin: Who could eat walle??????

More Twin: Just wanted to share the fact that I’ve been eating mom’s twinkies for breakfast 4 of 5 days this week
Do you think its a coinidence that twinkie has the word *twin* in it?????

More obsessions:

MC: The only reason I could think of that you would pick up baking: http://gizmodo.com/5102389/bake-the-family-cookies-with-a-free-tivo-cookie-cutter
http://www.tivo.com/whatistivo/cookiecutter/index.html

[not the first nor last person to send this link to me..]

pursuing. patience.

countdown to january 21! (coincidentally, the twin’s bday..)

dana. wood.

Palm trees? Check.
Smog? Check.
Welcome to Los Angeles!

Just went from 30-some degrees to 80+. The Patagonia fleece will no longer be necessary.

And good lucks across to the Eastern Time zone, where The Twin is running the Marine Corp Marathon this weekend!

Run Twin Run!

It’s just like the NYC Half.. only twice.

grand. opening.

Just in time — Nike will be opening a Nike Sportswear Flagship store in SoHo this Friday. Hmm, any guesses whether I’ll be packing for Boston or checking out some new diggs?

Nike Sportswear announced the opening of 21 Mercer Street in New York City’s SoHo. It is the first Nike Sportswear-specific store of its kind. Opening August 22nd, the stand-alone shop will be the only location globally to carry the complete NSW collection and seasonal 21 Mercer products.

nikesportswear.com

QOTD: “it’s so happy. and heart wrenching.” -the twin’s review of wall-E

QOTD2: “those stupid kids wont appreciate that bear like we would!!!” -the twin, on the Washington Nationals giving away stuffed panda bears to kids under 12

More twin:

Belatedly: in honor of Skip Carey.. “Well, we can mourn Skip Caray with this luscious impersonation of his dad by the Braves’ own (for now) Will Ohman.” http://ballhype.com/video/ohman_does_carey/

nyc. nation.

Did you see this number blazing down Manhattan?

Perhaps it was just a blur:

Yes, that’s a 1:38:01 half marathon (13.1 miles) at a 7:28 per mile pace. Almost two minutes faster than I thought I’d go. Which is also elite team qualifying. Booyah!

Times Square

A little rain at the beginning, no biggie. Started strong in the park, didn’t even notice the hills. Sponge station = genius. Running through Times Square = epic. Skipped the gel zone cause they frighten me. At mile 10, swore that I was done with running forever. Held on til the finish. 2nd half marathon ever.. can’t complain. Oh, and don’t knock the white shorts. They rule.

QOTD: “haha. Yes, quitting the sport entirely in the midst of a PR might have been a bit premature Awesomeness” -Beth (future in-house council)

After the race, my brother inexplicably wouldn’t give me a hug.

This is about as close as he would get. (Okay, so I was reeeeally sweaty).

Also worth mentioning: The Twin completed the half, with hip and foot intact.

Official race pics have just been posted on brightroom.com. You can search by name.

quotable. classics.

my cycling manager at work:
“Your return to bike racing: http://www.jamestownclassic.org/indexclassic.cfm“

“we should send an email to the BC Cycling listserv — rally the troops … It should probably come from your email as opposed to mine, since I’m just that random law school girl and you’re, well, D ana P rey “
(she must be referring to my crash-tacular reputation)

Then again, I think she might just be using me:
“Just got your email to the listserv — a bit of brilliant copy yet again, Ms. MBA. You will be a corporate maverick, and I, as your in-house counsel, will gladly ride your coat tails all the way to the bank… and a new bike… and a new set of race wheels.”

Don’t call it a comeback!

The MLB All-Star game was here in New York this week. The parade was conveniently run down 6th Ave.

Ryne Sandberg (fave player ever), as seen from the office window.

@ Run Club tonight one of the Nike guys offered me a job as a pacer. Because I apparently, have impeccable timing. Spot on pace leading the 800m speedwork! Booya.

From The Twin: “Yesterday was butterstick’s 3rd bday!!! He got a popsicle. YUM.”

[Yes, I'm aware that this is from Butterstick's 1st, not 3rd bday. But he's way more cute here.]

Got tix to the Colbert Report for next week — I hope Stephen puts me on notice.

Having an unseasonably good hair day and nobody is around to appreciate. Sad. The soft curls are for nothing.

10 days til the half marathon..

freedom. frites.

Buon giorno Bonjour! Back from Paris, where you need more than cropped pants and skirts to combat the 60 degree temps. Oops. I thought France was hot? Also, much harder this time around not knowing the least bit of French. Especially when I kept trying to use Italian on them.

French Kinder: just as delicious, and comes with Tony Parker!

Quote of the vacation:
DP: [after looking at some fancy kid stroller] I wish they made strollers for adults.
The Twin: Yeah, they’re called wheelchairs.

Honorable mention:
DP: So who was Charles de Gaulle and why does he have an airport named after him?
The Twin: I think he was some famous explorer.
Mom: Um, he was a French President.

Moment of enlightenment: They just call it ‘onion soup’ over there.

The Good: French people were actually a lot nicer than expected and most spoke English. Probably because there are so many tourists in Paris.
The Bad: said tourists really clog up the lines at places like the Lourve. Take a picture of Mona and be done with it already!
The Ugly: the first night back in the states, we have a company dinner.. at a French restaurant. It wasn’t good. But I guess that goes without saying.
And The Brutal: The US dollar to Euro conversion rate.

Unfortunately, my camera cord is in Boston, so until I figure out a workaround (anyone got a Sony card reader?), they will remain stuck. In the meantime, you can picture danaheads abound: Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, at the Lourve with the Nike goddess (no not me, the actual Winged Victory of Samothrace, the original Nike goddess), ancient castles, Arc de Triomphe, Marie Antoinette’s holding cell, et al.

This is my first summer in 3 years I haven’t been able to watch the Tour de France daily. Sigh. GO CVV (current boyfriend of the moment is in 3rd place in the overall GC).

BTW, the Nike Paris has some pretty sweet TdF gear. And so much more soccer football stuff. But again, the Euro conversion just made things downright depressing.

Back in The City, with some last ditch half marathon training efforts. Mike came down from the bean to eat dumplings with me. Decided that New York bagels have magical hangover healing powers. Still have not gotten paid. You know, the usual.

thirteen. point 1.

Both The Twin and I just found out that we got entries into the New York City Half Marathon!

And you know who’s hosting it.. the Swoosh, of course. Which might make one wonder about a certain store in a certain city of residence for the summer that has yet to be checked off the list. Oh please, I was at the NYC Niketown within 24 hours of being in the city.

Let’s put this baby up on the big board:

Also, going on an impromptu roadtrip to DC this weekend. Where apparently we’re going running. Well, I suppose I do actually have training to do now..

mlk. monday.

Today might be a total fraud, but at least it gets us out of class.

In other news.. 18 down, one to go.

*please note I’m still a Bears fan. But I’m rooting for history. (And to shut up those obnoxious ’72 Dolphins.) And the hottest QB.

Also, Happy Birfday, Twin!

picture. this.

While I’m tending to the out-of-towners, please pass the time by all the pics from the recent globetrotting excursions.

In and around London:

London

Sicily:

Sicily

More pictures are here:
Katie
The Twin

homeward. bound.

Viva Italia! Galavanting around Sicily with The Twin for the next week or so.

Biggest anticipated challenge? Remembering how damn weak the dollar is compared to the Euro. Also, I don’t ever think that it’s real money because it looks different. So when I spend it, I don’t really notice. Oops.

Did you know Sicily has a volcano named Stromboli? I wonder if it spews tomato sauce. Unfortunately Mount Vesuvius (which I know all about from taking Latin), is in Naples (no, not Florida), so a third trip to Italy will have to be planned to conquer that.

pick me!

The day started off.. quietly.
DP: SHHHHH! No talking in the newsroom.
Cybil: SHHHHH!!

Then, admissions decisions impending:
DP: “The committee is meeting in 15 minutes. I will be in touch with you later this afternoon.”
DP: ahhhhh
DP: time to make amends with god
DP: are you praying over there?
DP: (silently)
Cybil: Very very quietly

A little later, still waiting:
Cybil: Has god come thru yet??
Cybil: He woke from that nap, right??
Cybil: The one that allowed you to eat fried chikn?

NEWS!:
Twin: why do you need to make amends with god??
Twin: bad catholic
DP: I JUST GOT INTO GA TECH!!!!!!
Twin: yayayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!
Twin: asdfjkkq23l4rjqw9r8yh
Twin: hoorayyy!!
Twin: you dont have to move!!!!
DP: god = amended!
Twin: yayyyyyyyyy
Twin: you should go to church!!!
DP: HAHAHAHAHA
DP: i literally have spent the last 10 min skipping around the newsroom
Twin: haha
Twin: i’m sure they like that

Cue the disbelief!:
Josh: are you really going to go to GT? I mean, really.
Josh: is this the two-year or night program?
DP: full time 2 years
Josh: good
Josh: smart girl!
Josh: slim is going to do nights it seems
DP: get it over and done with
Josh: yeah with nights you have no life at all
Josh: and half of b school is networking
Josh: while drinking

I’m in! Top 25 baby! One down, one to go! (this week)