GEAUX TIGERS!!!

Being that #3 Oklahoma, #4 Florida and #7 Texas lost yesterday, that does excellent things for my Fightin' Tigers of LSU.

Just checked the polls.

In AP ranking, we're #1, but still #2 in the USA Today. The fan picks also put us at #1. This makes me even more excited!!!

T-I-G-E-R-S...TIGERS!!!

Rock N Relay

This is a short blog, but there will be more with pics to follow. This morning we woke up at 6:00 to prepare for our 21-mile relay and headed down to White Rock Lake. We had an absolute blast and definitely stood out in the crowd with our electric green TEAM CHELADA shirts. And yes, we came stocked with Cheladas for celebration....YUM.

Prior to beginning the race, we were all estimating at least 4 hours to complete the race, but our time came in at 3 hours, 30 minutes and 53 seconds. AWESOME! Our average pace for each mile was 10 mins 3 seconds. Last weekend when I did the Oktoberfest run, I did nearly the same distance as I did today, but today I knocked 8 minutes off my time. I was really really proud of myself. Today even included a short, but steep incline and I was running into the wind. It also didn't help that it was disgustingly hot and humid. I'm still building up endurance to go further and further as I train for the marathon, but killing 8 minutes in a week is enough to make me smile for the time being. True, I puked at the end of my leg, but it was justified (let's leave it at that.)

WAY TO GO TEAM CHELADA! EXCELLENT RUNNING KACY, TAMMI, CHRIS, JANEE & ME!!! SPECIAL THANKS FOR OUR DRIVER KIRK, AND OUR BEER MANAGER KEITH. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THOSE TWINS! ALSO, THANKS TO OUR FABULOUS CHEERLEADERS, DANETTE & BLAYNE!

I'm excited for my day off tomorrow, and we'll pick back up on Tuesday.

It's naptime. Dueces biotches!!!

Datz One Large African

Robyn so kindly met me at my office today so that she could be my lunch date. We first had to run to a little boutique in the West Village to pick up my relay packet for our race on Sunday. Since we were down in that area, we decided to enjoy a patio lunch at Village Burger Bar. As soon as we sat down and waited for our food, the table next to us also became occupied. At first, I didn't look at the face, I just observed a very monstrous, very dark man sitting down with a lady friend. I figured somebody of that size must be someone pretty serious, so I took a quick peak at his face and sure enough is was Diop from the Dallas Mavericks. He is quite massive, y'all.



...speaking of running packets and races, this weekend will be my 2nd race to participate in, but I'll still need more practice for that marathon at the end of the year. Our training is pretty intense and we're doing some sort of exercise 6 days a week. It's hard work, but it's slowly becoming easier and we're really starting to have fun with it. We've got a great group of people that have all decided to do this with us, so it's turn into a big social function. We try to meet at least two times a week to run together (at our own pace and distance,) but when we can't arrange a meeting, we run on our own. I've found that I particularly like waking up and running before work, if I can actually get out of bed in time...

...I love to hit my snooze button and usually set my initial alarm for at least 30 minutes before I have to think about getting up, but lately it's been particularly hard to get moving. It's not because I keep turning off my alarm, it's because it isn't going off AT ALL!

Some of the outlets in my house are regulated by a switch, and my clock happens to be plugged into that outlet. I am well aware of this, and never come close to touching it, but day after day, I'm constantly confused about how my clock is reset. Turns out, one day I find the culprit. Robyn goes in my room to use the iron, and STILL hasn't figured out that the switch for the lights is NOT the switch that turns my clock off and on. I've told her numerous times not to touch it, but she keeps disobeying and just laughs her heart out every time she accidentally does it. Last night was the final straw, and we finally taped the switch so tight that it couldn't be turned to the off position. Maybe tomorrow I can wake up in time to run!

A Message to Make You Smile!

When I leave work everyday, I leave my computer running, I just turn the screen off. In doing this, it leaves all my chat programs signed in, and when I return the following morning, I usually have tons of messages from the middle of the night. This morning, I absolutely LOVED what I returned to find from my dearest Haydo.

hAydo1868 (9:21:34 PM): hiiiiiiiiiiiii lanie i think you are neat
hAydo1868 (9:21:43 PM): you are neat for 9184 reasons
hAydo1868 (9:21:49 PM): i will tell you just a few
hAydo1868 (9:22:23 PM): #42 you have red hair and red heads are not common and therefore you are irreplaceable
hAydo1868 (9:22:44 PM): #764 you dress neat and that is neat since you are a closet ghetto schlut.
hAydo1868 (9:23:02 PM): #9 you make giggles when i make jokes
hAydo1868 (9:24:05 PM): #810 you are like an old creep alcoholic uncle, a slutty sister, and a beer guzzling buddy all wrapped up into one petite little bundle.
hAydo1868 (9:28:03 PM): #8191 you like snoop on a stick

After I catch up on all my outstanding messages, I then check my personal email. Today, I was very excited to see a message in my inbox from our world-traveling friends, Jarrod & Erin. (You can find a link to their blog on under my 'Bloggin Buddies' section or just visit http://www.paristoperu.com/. ) First, a little side note - this wonderful couple, along with the rest of their family, have all had the utmost pleasure of experiencing each Stanga member at our finest. In our case, 'finest' is synonymous with any and all descriptions that don't seem quite so flattering. Oh well, it wouldn't be a Stanga Train without these special qualities we posses. Chugga Chugga Choo Choo! Below, is their friendly greetings from China.

SUBJECT: Stangas Banned in China!

I thought you'd all get a kick out of this. As you know, China regulates which websites you can access and which ones they block. For instance, no BBC is allowed and Wikipedia is usually blocked as well.

Well, today Jarrod and I are spending a few hours catching up on emails and trying to find what's going on in the world, and I decide it would be a good time to access your blog. Sure enough....blocked. I guess the gov't deems your blog to contain some counterrevolutionary content. Way to go!!!!!

Now for most who know my family, this comes as no surprise and of course, Daddy and Mae Mae each had a pretty witty reply.

Good to hear from you. Hope you enjoy China…..one of the oldest civilizations. Not surprised our family is banned in China…….along with half the saloons between Dallas and Mobile. And some safe houses too! Thanks so much for the apron. It fits well, is functional and I finally figured out what the image is just below the navel. I first thought it was a picture of Willie Nelson!

Safe travels.
We love you guys.
mike

___________________________________________________________________

Now Erin, are you surprised that we are banned in China? Or anywhere else for that matter! It usually doesn't take us long to either get arrested or be banned from any one place! You better watch your communications with us; they may be monitored and you may be guilty by association! ;)

I just love that the daily love notes we get from our friends and family are not for doing something extraordinary or saving the world or being a great friend, it's for being straight up retarded and unique in a very uncouth manner.

Compton does NOT belong in Highland Park

Before I begin my little venting session, let me just start by saying I equally respect all people from all walks of life. I may not agree with certain lifestyles, religious beliefs, etc. but I will at least respect people. The one thing I don't respect is people who are completely ignorant (that doesn't mean unfortunate enough to lack proper education,) especially those who choose a career in the service industry and hate their lives for doing so. Usually, I'm over friendly to those who work in restaurants because I know how often people aren't nice to them, so I overcompensate.

This moring I headed to work early, but stopped off at Einstein's bagels. Maltiqua (sporting some real flashy iced-out cat earrings)behind the counter was taking orders. It's my turn and this is basically the dialogue (Sidenote - the all CAPS means she was raising her voice and getting really bitchy with me):

Maltiqua - what chu want?
Me - May I please have a wheat bagel, toasted...
Maltiqua - ...got none
Me - Pardon me?
Maltiqua - we AIN'T got no wheat bagels
Me - Um, okay? ... well I guess I'll just have an asiago cheese bagel toasted...
Maltiqua - ...DAT IT?
Me - No, I'd actually like reduced fat plain schmear on it please. Thank you.
Maltiqua - name?
Me - Lane
Maltiqua - WHAT CHO NAME?
Me - Lane. L.A.N.E
Maltiqua - Here's yo ticket

I kindly take my ticket, thank her again and head down to the register. Another (friendly) employee rings me up and I sit and wait at a table for my bagel to be ready. The place isn't very busy and I notice that everyone else has their food when I hear "Alan?" I look around and there isn't an Alan going to retrieve his bagel. They say Alan again and then Maltiqua let's the delivery girl know that it's mine. Maltiqua looked at me like I was a damn fool and goes "DAS HER FOOD OVER DERE!"

I look at the carbon copy of the ticket and realized she wrote my name as ALEN. YUP - she got all the letters right, but couldn't seem to spell Lane, so she though ALEN was an appropriate name. OMG - I wanted to scream just because ignorance annoys me so much!

Happy 24th Birthday Robyn!

Today my bestie enters her mid-20s and I'm so excited to be apart of it. I hope you have the best birthday ever. Love you!!!

Home Sweet Home

Most of the people who actually pay the least bit of attention to this dang blog have already seen pictures of my house or have come to visit, but Aunt Annie was unable to open the pics I sent her awhile back and she requested that I post some on here. There have been slight changes since the last round of photos though, as I'm getting more and more settled in by each dollar spent. Of course. there is still tons of painting, decorating, fixing, switching out, etc. to be done but it'll just come with time...and more money.

Welcome to 804!

Come join Robyn and me for a glass of wine on the patio.

I love my new fall pumpkins!

Where all the fabulous eating takes place.

There's nothing quite like a set table.
I just love the fall!
The living room. 5 1/2 months later and the curtains are still in the closet. Whoops!
Hall to stairs, garage and powder bath.
Where a lot of the fun happens. I finally tore down the wallpaper, textured and painted it.
And to the right we have the bar! =)
We've got a glass for ya, come have a drink with us!
I'd say 'this is where the magic happens' but that'd be a lie!
Pretty sweet window treatments, huh? Hey, they came with the house! I'll get new ones soon.
One of my favorite spots in the whole house!
Yes, I still have the glitter wallpaper. Again, one day...
One of my many mini-libraries, but I love this little table.
Robyn's super chic room
And yes, this wallpaper has yet to be removed. One day...Robyn, one day.
The drunk crash pad/office/craft/storage room. I heart this little space.

I'm Just One of the Guys

I know we've all heard plenty of girls say that, right? Heck, I even say that about myself because I do believe that I am just one of the boys. I like beer, football and a good time, so yeah, I'm just one of the boys.

Apparently, word has gotten out about it because today I received a package at work. I was completely beside myself when first seeing the return address.



Hmm, strange but okay??? I cautiously opened the package with 10 kinds of curiosity and this is what I found.



Anyone who knows my dear dear male BFF, Hayden, you would understand that he is the only person who could ever responsible for an act like this. Yes, he went online and requested information on coming out transgender and then wrote a letter to me.(You can click on the pictures to make them bigger so you can actually read.) Let me tell you it was quite the surprise to get today, and I'm sure the mail lady was very weirded out when she looked at the package. Oh, how I love my friends!

Team Chelada Goes for the Gold

Alright, so we haven't even gotten to the Rock N Relay yet, and already our team is talking going bigger and better. This idea had crossed my mind when I first started thinking about running, but I quickly dismissed it. Today, I was emailed a training scheduled and when I inquired what it was about, I was informed that we're also going to be doing the White Rock Half Marathon on December 9th. Oh shit - here we go....lord help me!

TEAM CHELADA

So Friday after work, as mentioned in a prior post, our relay team decided to all meet up for happy hour so some of our members could become better acquainted. We all had a great time and can pretty much guarantee another fabulous time will be had on race day. We've got a group of really fun people with quite some personalities! =)
I had 4 very tasty brews, chips, queso & guacamole and fried jalapenos with ranch. At about 8pm, we all ended our happy hour and went our separate ways. I, for some unknown reason, decided to come home and do a bit more training. I was actually proud of myself for being able to run so much further than the day before, even with being so sore and slightly tipsy. Despite the disgusting buffet in my stomach as well as the beer, I felt great after the run. I was even showered and in bed before 11. What a Friday!

What the crap am I thinking?

On Wednesday, dearest Kacy sent me an email asking if I had any interest in joining a 5-man team for a 21 mile relay race at the end of September. I took all of 3 minutes to think about it and committed myself to it. About an hour later, after I had told some friends what I just did, I realized that I don't run, I don't exercise, I don't work out. If it requires more energy than reading, drinking, eating, laying out, napping, sleeping, driving, chatting, myspacing, blogging, typing, talking, etc. - I don't do it. Clearly, it must have been the advertisement of free beer, pizza and music at the end that enticed me to participate in this Rock N Relay.

Training for my leg (which isn't even that long) will be no small feat for me, so I had to start running ASAP. Last night I went for my initial little jog around the neighborhood to see what I could do. Although, I wasn't THAT unimpressed with myself, I'm pretty dang sore today and tomorrow will be worse! I managed to squeeze in 2 miles (walking half the distance though) which I know isn't a lot, but hey - I gotta start somewhere. Now I'm starving, and I know I didn't burn that many calories last night, but it sure feels like I could eat a cow! Hopefully this will get me in a nice routine and I'll be able to tone up.

Tonight we have a happy hour for all the members of our team (including drivers and support squad) to meet one another. What says health & fitness like beer and queso? Way to go TEAM CHELADA!!! I'm real excited for this, but not more excited than tomorrow. Daddy and I are getting up super early to head to Death Valley to watch our beloved Tigers duke it out with some Virgina Tech.

Hey! Fightin' Tigers! Fight all the way!

Hey! Fightin' Tigers! Win the game today!

You've got the know-how, You're doin' fine

Hang on the the ball as you hit the wall

And smash right through the line.

You've got to go-o-o-o! for a touchdown

Ru-u-un! up the score!

Make Mike the Tiger stand right up and roar. ROAR! !! !!

Give it all of your might as you fight tonight,

And keep the goal in view,

Victory for LSU!!!

Never will I be...

...the cute, sexy girl that all the boys in coffee shop fancy, but sometimes I try to be.

This morning, I was dragging myself out of bed, contemplating what to wear. I didn't want to iron anything, so I figured a dress is always the best solution for these types of days. Hmm, dress 1 - wore last week, dress 2 - wore two weeks ago, dress 3 thru 10 - way too short and hookerish, dress 11 - perfect, haven't worn it in a few months.

I get ready and put my cute little red wrap-around dress on and matching shoes. Add fabulous accessories and I'm out the door.

(This is my dress but in solid red)

As usual, stopping off in Starbucks for an iced green tea is quite the chore, being that 80% of Dallas thinks it's a good idea to be there at 8:30 in the morning! I'm maneuvering in and out of the crowd, waiting for my drink to be prepared, when all of a sudden, my red leather bag (conveniently matching, huh?) catches a hold of the cute bow I tied (but failed to double-knot) and pulls it loose. So there, my cute little dress falls apart, with me still standing in the middle. Luckily I catch it before too much leg is revealed, but definitely was giving out some cleavage shots. Whoops, and being the classy, tactful girl that I am, I managed to let out a slight "Oh fuck!" in the process. Maybe I should really just stick to slacks and button-downs.

Girls Night Out

Both the boys have fabulous girlfriends and we all love hanging out with each other. Scott is dating Abby, a speech pathologist in a local school district and Mark is dating Maegan, a Tech grad who is now attending chiropractic school. Maegan is currently on a 2 week break from her trimesters and wanted to have a girls' night out since the boys would be glued to the couch for opening football weekend. It was going to be the perfect Stanga girls' night out, only missing Mae Mae. We really wish she could have joined us because it would have been that much better! Sorry sista!

Maegan, Me & Abby

I had an idea that was not your typical night out, but could be just as much fun or more, as any regular bar. So I gathered up a few girls and we headed down to Oak Lawn & Cedar Springs (Dallas' predominantly gay area) and attended the Drag Show at The Rose Room in S4. I did this with two girlfriends last summer and had a blast, so I was no rookie. Abby had frequented this area, which was then The Village, when she was in high school but had never actually been to the Drag Show. Maegan on the other hand, has never been to a gay bar and is usually slightly more reserved than I am, so this was going to be quite an experience for her. Mark was worried about her and told her just to stick close to me and I'd show her the ropes. Apparently my brother thinks I'm some sort of Fag Hag (which is true in many ways) but not in the meaning of me hanging out on Cedar Springs nightly.

Jessica, Todd, Maegan, Abby, Me, Kacy & Janee

We were all drinking at our table, awaiting the beginning of the show when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around, and to my surprise it's a butch dike hitting on me. ME of all people, ME the girl sitting with a table full of prissy girls that CLEARLY aren't lesbians, ME the one who was in no way giving up a homo vibe. She made small talk with me, and to be friendly I tried to be real nice although I was completely creeped out. She offered to buy me a drink but luckily I had just received my full beer, so I politely declined. Had I changed my mind though, she guaranteed I could get a drink later if I went to visit her table, which was right behind mine. WOW! I saw her at the end of the night walking down the street, where again she made cat calls at me, but I just kept walking...nearly running! Anyway, the show started and it didn't take long for the Drag Show Newbies to become comfortable and enjoy all that twisted humor that occured. Once the show was wrapping up, we headed downstairs to the dance floor of S4 where we boogied down with lots of moes. When the boys were dancing a little too close for comfort, I had to check and make sure they were gay, and if they were, I'd keep dancing. If they happened to be one of the few straight men in the place, I'd walk away. HAHA - strange I know.

It didn't take long until we lost Maegan to a crowd of topless men dancing and smothering around her. Mark shouldn't be worried any longer about her being uncomfortable, but maybe about losing her to the gay district! We actually were quite jealous and joined in the fun and didn't stop until after 2am.

Maegan and her favorite dancing queens.

Maegan & Abby with our two favs!


Ummmm, WTF is going on here?


I want in!

Walking out of the bar, Maegan screams "I LOVE THIS STREET. I WANT TO MOVE DOWN HERE. LET'S GO TALK TO MORE GAYS!" and so we did. Oh, what a night!

Maegan and the stars of Brokeback Mountain on the street

Bathroom Buzz

So yes, I started to have another panic attack on Thursday night. It all began with 8 small words: "You will NEVER guess who I just saw!"

This past Thursday, LSU opened up the 2007 football season playing Mississippi State, which resulted in a 45-0 @$$ kicking, but that is beside the point! =) The Dallas chapter of LSU Alumni Association had arranged a watching party at Fox & Hound which was great since it's just around the corner from my house. Being that we're the only part of our distant family that lives in Texas, and that we don't really associate with any fellow LSU fans in the area, Daddy, the boys and I headed to have our own party at the Fox. Tigers fans showed up in true style, sporting their best purple and gold apparrel and cheering loudly. Of course I didn't see any familiar faces besides the fam, but that was ok - we're real good at having our own fabulous time.

I took a small potty break and while I was washing my hands, I overheard a lady on the phone in the stall next to me. I figured it was the typical stall scoop that often takes place in the bathroom but I was soon stunned and paralyzed. "You'll never guess who I just saw! ... MIKE STANGA! ...YES!!! ... and his kids were with him..." Now I know my parents are madly in love with each other and have never doubted the stability of their 33 year marriage, but when an unfamiliar voice is giving the low-down about my daddy, I was thrown for a loop.

I decided I was going to wait to make sure it wasn't a lady I knew so I sat in the mirror and messed with my hair and stuff just to pass the time. Finally, the door opened and out came a lady, and I couldn't tell you who the crap she was. She started washing her hands and I smiled at her and she said hello.

I built up the courage and before I knew it I turned to her and said "I'm sorry, I overheard your conversation, but did you just say MIKE STANGA?" I'm sure I had quite a snooty look on my face, figuring I was about to have a throw down in the bathroom with someone who was trying to be my new mommy. She ensured me that daddy was exactly who she was talking about, to which I responded "THAT'S MY DADDY!" She had an excited expression on her face and said "Oh, you must be Laney!" Great, not only is my dad quite the charmer, but he's also told his mistress about his kids. Then she speaks again, and says "Laney, I'm Eugenie" and it all clicked.

Eugenie is a distant relative, well actually the
1. former sister-in-law of Aunt Trisha (dad's sister)
2. my cousins' aunt on the other side
3. daughter of my materal grandparents' best friends.

It all made sense, being that she lives in the area, but for some unknown reason, we never get together. I can only recall meeting her once before when I was in high school, but I couldn't remember what she looked like. After I was completely relieved, I told her about my fears and we shared a good laugh. She was actually on the phone with her son, telling him she saw us because prior to the game, he told Eugenie that she would probably see us there. After exiting the bathroom, we approached my dad and shared the story with him and the bros and then the whole table errupted with laughter.