Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running!

I spent Thanksgiving 2011 in California visiting family. It was my first Thanksgiving with turkey in five years. Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed eating. With that said, it was time we "had a good run" and check "run on the beach" off of the Lys List.

My Aunt Jill lives a short walk from Venice Beach, so I set out for the ocean. I have no idea what level of difficulty I thought running in sand would be, but damn, it's hard. I was winded in no time; I think bystanders were considering calling 911. I ran down the beach, right next to the water. It was so refreshing.

After a good run, you must refuel. We went to Tavern on 2 in Long Beach where I had a chicken sandwich (gotta have protein) topped with brie, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and Tavern on 2 special sauce. You also must rehydrate, I opted for two pints of tasty white ale. Bonus was the chocolate dipped s'more from Rocky Mountain Chocolate that I inhaled.

The next day we had massages at the Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills, which was perfect, because I was sore from my brief run. Best massage I've ever had, no lie.

I think I need to move to Cali, or visit more often, the West Coast needs Forresta Gump. I'd even live in the parking lot at Whole Foods (love love love that store), I'm not particular.

Sushi ~ A Gag-Free Seafood Experience

I have been excited/nervous to try sushi. I've wanted so bad to like it. I went with my friend Adam to Kakachi in Penfield and gave it a go. I thought this was the best way to go about trying sushi containing seafood, because he would be the person I would least likely gag or spit food into my napkin in front of. Big time strategy here.

He ordered an array of rolls, all mostly contained some sort of raw fish. I ate the least intimidating one first, which was simply tuna and rice. It was small and easy to pop the whole thing in my mouth, I enjoyed it. The rest of the rolls were big, and I knew there was no lady-like way of eating them. I opted next for the Philadelphia roll. I wasn't a fan of it. I love cream cheese on a bagel, but a big hunk of it in my mouth was a little excessive. I am happy to report that is the only roll I didn't care for. I ate the majority of them without soy sauce. My method of eating sushi was to chew and swish the roll from side to side in my mouth so I would taste everything together and not just fish. I know, the thought of that is really getting your stomach growling, I’m sure. I can't imagine what it was like for him to have to sit across from me and watch as I thought out which roll to try next, over thinking how I was going to fit the whole thing in my mouth, and lastly, listening to me as I took deep breaths before eating each bite and while chewing. The thought process involved during dinner would have led you to believe I was contemplating skydiving or trying to complete a Good Will Hunting type of math problem.

The entire time we were at the restaurant I was so incredibly proud of myself. Some people are proud when they run a marathon, or have a baby, I was proud that I consumed raw fish and didn't completely disgust my date (or so he said).

Welp, We Had Ourselves A Haunted Hayride...

The Friday before Halloween a group of us decided to go on a haunted hayride at Verhulst Farms. We met at CJ's for some food and bevs prior. The thing with alcohol is, or at least for me, it's a distraction, and 8 times out of 10 it hinders me from accomplishing what I had planned to had adult beverages not been involved. This was almost the case at hand. I stuffed myself full of quesadillas, tots and half of a Mexican chicken sandwich with extra avocado; healthy, I know. The drinks were flowing and the idea of standing in the cold for hours had completely left my mind, I wasn't the only one. At one point I was convinced this just wasn't the year to cross "Go on a haunted hayride" off of the Lys List. But with some encouragement from a pregnant friend I got my act together and we set out for Verhulst.

When we arrived it was exactly how I anticipated; cold, dark and booze-free. Luckily ONE person planned accordingly and brought a flask. Jack Daniels and hot cider seemed to warm me up short-term. After over an hour wait we set out on the wagon into the woods. Things that jump out scare the hell out of me, so I was on the lookout and sat in the very front. We had some laughs, a few screams, etc. Overall, I think the ride in general was my favorite part. Just being outdoors makes me happy, and I liked being pulled by a tractor, in an "I'm not a redneck I just enjoy sitting on hay" sort of way. What can I say, I love fall!

I've checked this item off of the Lys List, and while I'm told the hayride in Williamson is another one to check out, I've heard the wait is even longer, and, well, my ADHD combined with Raynaud's Syndrome that flares in the cold will probably deter me from partaking in this next Halloween. Haunted hayrides, we had a good run.