How many states do you have left?

Dan and I were recently comparing notes on the US states we have not yet visited. We don't have many in common unfortunately. If memory serves, Alaska and Maine are the only states that both of us have NEVER visited...not exactly doable on a roadtrip!

Here’s my list (I don’t count a state if I’ve only changed planes there) using the following key: bold for states I’ve been to and bold and italics for states I’ve lived in.

Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C.

In fact, except for Oklahoma, none of these states are really within driving distance for me. Darn! Interestingly I realized that business trips over the years have brought me to many of these states. In fact, I made my first (and only) trip to three states in the last four years thanks to my current job: Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey. How many states do you have left? Wanna meet me somewhere for a long weekend of exploring a new place?

James Lipton + Treadmill = Longer Workouts

On Monday nights, the stars are aligned and when I leave work and go to the gym (essentially to get my cable TV fix - just keepin' it real) "Inside the Actors Studio" is coming on in my local market. Tonight the host, James Lipton, was interviewing Laura Linney. That was kind of cool because Dan and I had just finished watching the HBO miniseries "John Adams" on DVD (highly recommend it - you can get it from your local library)...and Laura Linney won a Golden Globe last night for her portrayal of Abigail Adams. See what I mean about the stars being aligned? On the other nights of the week I might watch "Modern Marvels" on the History Channel or the latest episode of "Food Network Challenge." We're probably the only folks left on the planet without cable so one of my motivations for going to the gym (and I need as many motivations as I can get) is to get a small dose of cable. The best part is that every cardio machine at my gym has its own monitor attached so I can watch what-EVer. I. Want! No fighting, bargaining, or pleading with my better half.

Look, Santa got my bribe...

I asked for this wonderful cookbook for Christmas and Dan's parents gave it to me. I'm very happy. :-)