I ran last night. Good to know I still can. I ran 4 miles at 11:05 miles which is slower than I want to run the milk run (I'm shooting for 10:00 miles) but not horrible considering I hadn't run in about 10 days. Maybe I'll do the 8 Minute Butt video that whooped me last time. It was such a pretty night last night that I just took around Lake Nokomis after the run. It's equally nice today but getting cloudy and gloomy in anticipation of the rain that's supposedly coming.
I think Monday will be a busy day at work, especially given the slowness of today. I think there are about 6 case files in a holding pattern that will get dropped on my desk. Can they just give me the files? No. We have to wait for my supervisor to get back in town. To pick up the files and bring them to my office. Hope nothing too serious needed to be done on any of them.
I bought Sleeping with the Past off iTunes last night. I love this album. I seriously forgot how good it is. Healing Hands is such a good song.
15.8.07
Is this cat upsidedown?
Ok, check out this picture and then tell me that cat is not upside down.
I was so tired today (possibly from a crappy lunch) that I didn't go to the gym. Instead I did three of the "8 Minute" videos, 8 Minute Buns which is really difficult but totally good for the bum, 8 Minute Abs which was easier than I remember but anything is easy compared to that 8 Minute Buns, and 8 Minute Arms. At first I was worried that I only had 3lb weights, but by the end I was glad they weren't heavier. And I did my laundry.
I just got an email from a friend asking could she tell me something about this guy. Either it's going to be something really bad so I won't be interested or he's gay. She's in Japan and has limited access to the internet right now. I wish she'd right back. Nothing can be as bad as anything I'm imagining. (I really don't think it's the gay thing. It just would have come up before now, given the context of our conversations.)
I have to go in to work early tomorrow, just like Tuesday. But Tuesday I worked long so I can leave early on Friday. What could be better? (Olive Garden. Amanda, Kelly, I'm talking to you.)
Just something to leave you with this chandalier is made entirely from tampons.
I was so tired today (possibly from a crappy lunch) that I didn't go to the gym. Instead I did three of the "8 Minute" videos, 8 Minute Buns which is really difficult but totally good for the bum, 8 Minute Abs which was easier than I remember but anything is easy compared to that 8 Minute Buns, and 8 Minute Arms. At first I was worried that I only had 3lb weights, but by the end I was glad they weren't heavier. And I did my laundry.
I just got an email from a friend asking could she tell me something about this guy. Either it's going to be something really bad so I won't be interested or he's gay. She's in Japan and has limited access to the internet right now. I wish she'd right back. Nothing can be as bad as anything I'm imagining. (I really don't think it's the gay thing. It just would have come up before now, given the context of our conversations.)
I have to go in to work early tomorrow, just like Tuesday. But Tuesday I worked long so I can leave early on Friday. What could be better? (Olive Garden. Amanda, Kelly, I'm talking to you.)
Just something to leave you with this chandalier is made entirely from tampons.
14.8.07
Nothing exciting happened to me today
Nothing exciting happened to me today. Mildly interesting were all the non-functioning traffic lights I had to contend with.
The true excitement was last night. After I blogged, it started to rain. I went in to take a shower. I was rinsing shampoo and conditioner and when I opened my eyes again... It was still dark. I thought, "ok, I'm done in here" and went to go look out the window at the lighting, which was unreal by the way. I've never seen that much before. And then I started thinking "ok, I've got all these flashlights (because I'm a caver and I used to be a bat biologist) but none of them have batteries in them". It turns out I have a little mirror to pluck my eyebrows and that has a battery powered light around it, which was enough to find the lighter to light some candles. And then I remembered have another flashlight two of them actually that do have batteries.
Once I had that taken care of, I went on to my next concern: flooding. I live on low ground. There's a pumping station a block away, that pumps water out of the sewers. In times of heavy rain (or maybe no electricity) the pump turns off. Mercifully, I kept one of my paper phone books and it had the Minneapolis sewer emergency number for nights and weekends. It was almost midnight. Seemed like a perfect time to call. And that's when I heard "you have reached the Minneapolis Sewer Emergency line, please leave a message". My condo is about to flood! But they must have received it because shortly after that the flooding went down. When the pump goes on it takes about five minutes for the courtyard (flooded about a foot deep in the middle) to empty to what's a normal amount of water for a storm.
While I was monitoring the flood progress, I used my little head light and read some Harry Potter. Then I went to bed. And woke up early. And worked a longer than normal day. And then I exercised. The eliptical kicked my butt. I made (my take on) Salmon picatta for dinner, with the other half of the Salmon. Time to eat. Yum.
The true excitement was last night. After I blogged, it started to rain. I went in to take a shower. I was rinsing shampoo and conditioner and when I opened my eyes again... It was still dark. I thought, "ok, I'm done in here" and went to go look out the window at the lighting, which was unreal by the way. I've never seen that much before. And then I started thinking "ok, I've got all these flashlights (because I'm a caver and I used to be a bat biologist) but none of them have batteries in them". It turns out I have a little mirror to pluck my eyebrows and that has a battery powered light around it, which was enough to find the lighter to light some candles. And then I remembered have another flashlight two of them actually that do have batteries.
Once I had that taken care of, I went on to my next concern: flooding. I live on low ground. There's a pumping station a block away, that pumps water out of the sewers. In times of heavy rain (or maybe no electricity) the pump turns off. Mercifully, I kept one of my paper phone books and it had the Minneapolis sewer emergency number for nights and weekends. It was almost midnight. Seemed like a perfect time to call. And that's when I heard "you have reached the Minneapolis Sewer Emergency line, please leave a message". My condo is about to flood! But they must have received it because shortly after that the flooding went down. When the pump goes on it takes about five minutes for the courtyard (flooded about a foot deep in the middle) to empty to what's a normal amount of water for a storm.
While I was monitoring the flood progress, I used my little head light and read some Harry Potter. Then I went to bed. And woke up early. And worked a longer than normal day. And then I exercised. The eliptical kicked my butt. I made (my take on) Salmon picatta for dinner, with the other half of the Salmon. Time to eat. Yum.
13.8.07
the "mayotini"
Just so we're clear, there has never been, nor will there ever be a time when this drink is acceptable. I didn't even see this on digg. How bad does something have to be before even digg won't touch it?
However, the marketing on these things finally made me buy them and they are good. That's not regular but dark chocolate on the outside. What more does a girl need?
Food. I'm still hungry.
However, the marketing on these things finally made me buy them and they are good. That's not regular but dark chocolate on the outside. What more does a girl need?
Food. I'm still hungry.
Sorry I couldn't think of a better title
It was a slow day at the office. I was a bit bored by the end of the day. I did go to the Y after work. Everyone knew there was absolutely no chance of me going before work. I did the eliptical and then lifted weights. Lesson learned: it is not possible to run after lifting weights. Don't worry, I only went about two steps before I figured that out. I was just cooling down anyways so I walked.
And then I went to the grocery store and that's where my troubles began. $102 later, I figured out just how much trouble. I bought a lot of stuff I don't usually buy, tupperware, mints and gum for work, floss and toothpaste (what, that's not stuff you buy every time unless 15 people are using the same tube) Pepsi, and then I got a nice piece of Salmon. I had to buy the more expensive salmon just on principal because the cheaper salmon was a) caught near Chile and b) bad for the environment. I learned that from a gift my friend Amanda got me. The salmon was good by the way.
I think maybe I'll try going to the Y in the morning one day this week. Friday looks good. Then next week maybe two days and so on. Anything's better than last week when there just wasn't any exercise.
The other thing I was doing tonight was playing on the internet as always and I found a boatload of things I'd like to share:
1. How To Lucid Dream, something I've always wanted to know.
2. How Many Faces Do You See In This Picture? This is for one of you who might get bored at work. The image is hosted at blogger so you should be good.
3. Many people asked me if I was going to get an iPhone. Besides liking the phone I've got, this is living proof that AT&T is ridiculous. 300 pages? In a box?
4. How to Pick a Lock. This is just useful.
5. How to Speak Japanese. First this was for Kao, who just went to Japan to teach English, also for Amanda as a "thank you" for Happy Feet so you can remember anything you've forgotten.
6. Top 10 Money Drains. Coffee I'm guilty of, but not that often, not even once a week anymore. Mmmmm coffee. 2-6 I don't do, or rarely. Kelly's wedding will be my first manicure. How excited am I? Weekly lunched out I am much improved. I used to eat at Chipotle every day. I went down to once a week with hardly any struggle at all. Haven't cut it out yet though. Not planning too either.
7. Corn Fritters. How good do these look?
8. The Clever Hanger Trick for closet organizing. Who can spot the problem I have with this? Yes, that's right. I can't have hangers facing every which way. It would quite simply kill me.
9. A Post about Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, truly a fantastic cave. Is it wrong that I already knew who Steven Bishop was?
10. Kelly's next crochet project.
11. Finally, read this story and then tell me how many people thought, "that totally could have been me".
And then I went to the grocery store and that's where my troubles began. $102 later, I figured out just how much trouble. I bought a lot of stuff I don't usually buy, tupperware, mints and gum for work, floss and toothpaste (what, that's not stuff you buy every time unless 15 people are using the same tube) Pepsi, and then I got a nice piece of Salmon. I had to buy the more expensive salmon just on principal because the cheaper salmon was a) caught near Chile and b) bad for the environment. I learned that from a gift my friend Amanda got me. The salmon was good by the way.
I think maybe I'll try going to the Y in the morning one day this week. Friday looks good. Then next week maybe two days and so on. Anything's better than last week when there just wasn't any exercise.
The other thing I was doing tonight was playing on the internet as always and I found a boatload of things I'd like to share:
1. How To Lucid Dream, something I've always wanted to know.
2. How Many Faces Do You See In This Picture? This is for one of you who might get bored at work. The image is hosted at blogger so you should be good.
3. Many people asked me if I was going to get an iPhone. Besides liking the phone I've got, this is living proof that AT&T is ridiculous. 300 pages? In a box?
4. How to Pick a Lock. This is just useful.
5. How to Speak Japanese. First this was for Kao, who just went to Japan to teach English, also for Amanda as a "thank you" for Happy Feet so you can remember anything you've forgotten.
6. Top 10 Money Drains. Coffee I'm guilty of, but not that often, not even once a week anymore. Mmmmm coffee. 2-6 I don't do, or rarely. Kelly's wedding will be my first manicure. How excited am I? Weekly lunched out I am much improved. I used to eat at Chipotle every day. I went down to once a week with hardly any struggle at all. Haven't cut it out yet though. Not planning too either.
7. Corn Fritters. How good do these look?
8. The Clever Hanger Trick for closet organizing. Who can spot the problem I have with this? Yes, that's right. I can't have hangers facing every which way. It would quite simply kill me.
9. A Post about Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, truly a fantastic cave. Is it wrong that I already knew who Steven Bishop was?
10. Kelly's next crochet project.
11. Finally, read this story and then tell me how many people thought, "that totally could have been me".
12.8.07
My "Day of Rest"
I think I've mentioned before how I enjoy using Sunday as "my day of rest". Since I didn't really exercise yesterday I did walk around Lake Nokomis this morning and it was gorgeous. It was so nice out I couldn't really justify exercising indoors. I will try to go tomorrow morning.
For a large part of the day I've been watching the Style Network. Kelly, don't pass out. I watched Clean House and decided that I needed to get strict instructions from my parents on what they want done with their belongings if they pass into my care. Specifically, we have a bunch of old quilts from Mom's family and paintings from Dad. I think if they tell me to get rid of them, I could, but I would have a really hard time doing so without their permission.
And then I started watching How Do I Look? The two of you, don't get any ideas. Two things about that show. I really like the host, Finola Hughes. She's gorgeous, and unlike many other hosts, she's nice to the people who are getting a makeover. Also, she has a nice way of letting silence hang in a conversation to emphasize an idea in a really poignant way instead of filling the silence with words to go for the cheap laugh. (The social worker in me is drawn to this. It's classy.) Second thing I decided is that for nice clothes, I really do have some things that make me look like a girl. Not many, but some. But I don't have a whole lot of casual clothes that flatter my body, especially jeans which I prefer maybe too big and droopy. (Again, don't get any ideas.)
I think one time I confessed that my biggest fear was that Amanda and Kelly were going to sign me up for one of those makeover shows. The good news is I haven't seen either one of them with a video camera, ever, so I feel safe for the moment. And I try to bring Kelly shopping with me so I am open to at least some form of help.
In the home design department, I'm getting in my head to a place where I can visualize myself actually painting the entry way. Is there something I need to wait for or I can I just start this project? I feel like the taping alone will take a night, and that's before the stripes get taped. Today I plan on listening to a podcast of Car Talk and going through old school papers in an effort to declutter my life. I was inspired by Clean House. There are people in my family whose homes have looked something like that one in my lifetime. Not my close family. Well, I think my Grandma's house was almost that bad. There were bigger paths cleared. You can see why I'm constantly fighting the junk monster.
For a large part of the day I've been watching the Style Network. Kelly, don't pass out. I watched Clean House and decided that I needed to get strict instructions from my parents on what they want done with their belongings if they pass into my care. Specifically, we have a bunch of old quilts from Mom's family and paintings from Dad. I think if they tell me to get rid of them, I could, but I would have a really hard time doing so without their permission.
And then I started watching How Do I Look? The two of you, don't get any ideas. Two things about that show. I really like the host, Finola Hughes. She's gorgeous, and unlike many other hosts, she's nice to the people who are getting a makeover. Also, she has a nice way of letting silence hang in a conversation to emphasize an idea in a really poignant way instead of filling the silence with words to go for the cheap laugh. (The social worker in me is drawn to this. It's classy.) Second thing I decided is that for nice clothes, I really do have some things that make me look like a girl. Not many, but some. But I don't have a whole lot of casual clothes that flatter my body, especially jeans which I prefer maybe too big and droopy. (Again, don't get any ideas.)
I think one time I confessed that my biggest fear was that Amanda and Kelly were going to sign me up for one of those makeover shows. The good news is I haven't seen either one of them with a video camera, ever, so I feel safe for the moment. And I try to bring Kelly shopping with me so I am open to at least some form of help.
In the home design department, I'm getting in my head to a place where I can visualize myself actually painting the entry way. Is there something I need to wait for or I can I just start this project? I feel like the taping alone will take a night, and that's before the stripes get taped. Today I plan on listening to a podcast of Car Talk and going through old school papers in an effort to declutter my life. I was inspired by Clean House. There are people in my family whose homes have looked something like that one in my lifetime. Not my close family. Well, I think my Grandma's house was almost that bad. There were bigger paths cleared. You can see why I'm constantly fighting the junk monster.
11.8.07
I so badly need to exercise
I meant to go to the Y today. And then I meant to walk around Lake Nokomis. Neither thing actually happened. I did take a short walk and snapped some pictures of the pretty flowers in my neighborhood. I was going to go all the way around the lake but faced some distress shortly into my walk and so decided to cut it short. I will try to go to the Y tomorrow, even just to ride the bike and lift weights on the scary "core balls". Those things are wild.
I also had an epiphany. No one knows why it took me this long. I'm so tired because the new job is wearing me out, and I need to accomodate that right now in my life. I usually get to work around 9:00 and I can exercise before I go in. I can work out from 7-8 and leave straight from the Y. I haven't because I haven't wanted to pack my breakfast in the heat but then I realized I can leave milk or yogurt in the fridge at work. I think I'll try that and see how it goes.
That would be especially good because I have to be ready for the milk run soon. By the way, to those of you who agreed to come with me and cheer (and then see the fair) that day, the milk run starts at 7:45. If we get there around 7:30 that'll give me enough time to stretch and warm up (and you enough time to find prime seats). How much do you love me right at this moment?
PS. These are little orange berries from a tree in the yard. Bonus points to anyone who can properly identify the tree for me. The berries are slightly smaller than blueberries.
I also had an epiphany. No one knows why it took me this long. I'm so tired because the new job is wearing me out, and I need to accomodate that right now in my life. I usually get to work around 9:00 and I can exercise before I go in. I can work out from 7-8 and leave straight from the Y. I haven't because I haven't wanted to pack my breakfast in the heat but then I realized I can leave milk or yogurt in the fridge at work. I think I'll try that and see how it goes.
That would be especially good because I have to be ready for the milk run soon. By the way, to those of you who agreed to come with me and cheer (and then see the fair) that day, the milk run starts at 7:45. If we get there around 7:30 that'll give me enough time to stretch and warm up (and you enough time to find prime seats). How much do you love me right at this moment?
While you contemplate the Milk Run, enjoy these lovely pictures. I think the ones with the bees are cool.
PS. These are little orange berries from a tree in the yard. Bonus points to anyone who can properly identify the tree for me. The berries are slightly smaller than blueberries.
8.8.07
Mmmm... Pho
I just had pho tonight with Amanda and Kelly. Mmmmm. I love that stuff. It always feels healthy to me. I wonder if it is. (As a special gift to Kelly, Questions to Ask Before You Get Married, even though you probably have talked about these, I was just thinking of you.)
We did a minor amount of interior decoration for Kelly afterwards. Amanda taught me the proper technique to drill a screw into the wall. I never really knew it. I was just good and making big holes. No comments.
I still need to exercise. I think I'll run tomorrow night. I have to be at work much earlier than I'd prefer. I think exercise in the morning is out. I remember when I wasn't this tired.
We did a minor amount of interior decoration for Kelly afterwards. Amanda taught me the proper technique to drill a screw into the wall. I never really knew it. I was just good and making big holes. No comments.
I still need to exercise. I think I'll run tomorrow night. I have to be at work much earlier than I'd prefer. I think exercise in the morning is out. I remember when I wasn't this tired.
7.8.07
Is it really still Tuesday?
I can't believe it's Tuesday still. It feels like I've done much too much work to not be farther in the week.
From Ten on Tuesdays
Ten Things You Will NEVER Do Again:
1. Height related things: Once when I was 5 Mom thought I would enjoy walking up a few floors of the (pretend) Eiffel Tower at King's Island and I freaked out. I was not into the how high that was. I just wanted down and my mom, who's not afraid of heights, did not understand.
2. Eat a raw tomato. It has happened before. I'd not like to repeat the experience.
3. Grad school. I have two friends who are going to go to grad school. One will be married. I always thought it would be nice to be in grad school and be married. I thought then, just once, I would be able to study and someone else would cook me dinner. I always thought that would have been wonderful.
4. Check luggage. I may do it again, I'm not opposed, but I try really hard not to have to check on luggage. Ever. It's removed so many hassles for me when I travel, especially when I fly out of Minneapolis because I can use the secret "Carry On Only" Security Check Point, and when I fly out of Cincinnati because I don't have to wait in that monster line.
5. Live with my parents. One can only hope. I always joke that I'm just waiting for the first sign of dribble on their chins to put them away in some retirement home. And I'm not ashed of it. If my parents really needed help I'd move home. After talking with Mom last night I was reminded why I won't live in that house again. Think no air conditioning. And Cincinnati is fairly far south. About the same as St. Louis. It's hot. They have one permanent window unit and several window units that they can take in and out (but never bother to put them in). It's my idea of hell.
6. Live in Mt. Adams (Cincinnati), Uptown (Minneapolis), or any other similarly situated neighborhood where finding a parking spot is about as likely as the US pulling out of Iraq.
7. I have a fear of Duluth in the winter. It's the hills. It's a sickness. (I really thought more of these would be related to heights and food.)
Apparently I'm not really ready to swear off too much stuff. Hmmm. Just grad school. We'll wait a while to go back and get a PhD.
From Ten on Tuesdays
Ten Things You Will NEVER Do Again:
1. Height related things: Once when I was 5 Mom thought I would enjoy walking up a few floors of the (pretend) Eiffel Tower at King's Island and I freaked out. I was not into the how high that was. I just wanted down and my mom, who's not afraid of heights, did not understand.
2. Eat a raw tomato. It has happened before. I'd not like to repeat the experience.
3. Grad school. I have two friends who are going to go to grad school. One will be married. I always thought it would be nice to be in grad school and be married. I thought then, just once, I would be able to study and someone else would cook me dinner. I always thought that would have been wonderful.
4. Check luggage. I may do it again, I'm not opposed, but I try really hard not to have to check on luggage. Ever. It's removed so many hassles for me when I travel, especially when I fly out of Minneapolis because I can use the secret "Carry On Only" Security Check Point, and when I fly out of Cincinnati because I don't have to wait in that monster line.
5. Live with my parents. One can only hope. I always joke that I'm just waiting for the first sign of dribble on their chins to put them away in some retirement home. And I'm not ashed of it. If my parents really needed help I'd move home. After talking with Mom last night I was reminded why I won't live in that house again. Think no air conditioning. And Cincinnati is fairly far south. About the same as St. Louis. It's hot. They have one permanent window unit and several window units that they can take in and out (but never bother to put them in). It's my idea of hell.
6. Live in Mt. Adams (Cincinnati), Uptown (Minneapolis), or any other similarly situated neighborhood where finding a parking spot is about as likely as the US pulling out of Iraq.
7. I have a fear of Duluth in the winter. It's the hills. It's a sickness. (I really thought more of these would be related to heights and food.)
Apparently I'm not really ready to swear off too much stuff. Hmmm. Just grad school. We'll wait a while to go back and get a PhD.
Mmmmm.... beer
I had a beer tonight with dinner. Maybe because it was Leinie's or maybe it was because it's summer and I walked 10 blocks to get there, but the beer I had with dinner was so good. I haven't had beer in... it's been so long I actually can't remember. I know my Aunt Joanie tried to get me drunk when I was in Florida, there may have been beer there. We should check the march archives because I'm fairly sure that if I was intoxicated there's a sloshed blog post some where as evidence. I had dinner with someone I hadn't seen in a long time. It was nice. We went to Matt's which has Juicy Lucys but I'm not big on burgers anymore so I just had a grilled cheese.
It's also National Night Out so I walked by a whole bunch of block parties. That was cool. I don't know that I normally would have walked there, but I knew everyone would be out on the streets tonight so it would be fine. I hung out with some of my neighbors and met some people I didn't know. That was cool too.
Obviously I didn't exercise this morning. My plan is to get up early an exercise so I can earn the pho I plan on eating tomorrow night with Kelly (and possibly Amanda). I was just too sore from the 5 mile run on Monday. I think I'll go to the Y tomorrow. I want to run a little and lift weights. We'll see. I'm really tired. Maybe I'll go to sleep soon.
It's also National Night Out so I walked by a whole bunch of block parties. That was cool. I don't know that I normally would have walked there, but I knew everyone would be out on the streets tonight so it would be fine. I hung out with some of my neighbors and met some people I didn't know. That was cool too.
Obviously I didn't exercise this morning. My plan is to get up early an exercise so I can earn the pho I plan on eating tomorrow night with Kelly (and possibly Amanda). I was just too sore from the 5 mile run on Monday. I think I'll go to the Y tomorrow. I want to run a little and lift weights. We'll see. I'm really tired. Maybe I'll go to sleep soon.
6.8.07
No one knows what my problem is
No one yet knows what my problem is. I'm annoyed nonetheless. I don't know if I'm right, or should let this out of my teeth, or both. But someone who is not the IT person today told me the IT person (whom I think is wrong) noted that I downloaded Firefox and then things got fishy.
First, some one then said I "downloaded Mozilla and removed Internet Explorer" which I think is not possible. I seem to recall a lawsuit.... If it is possible, I have neither the knowledge nor the inclination to actually remove the software.
Second, it was passed along that we get our anti virus updates through internet explorer? Don't those just come through the anti-virus software itself? You don't need a web browser for that.
Third, that the firewall is set up for Internet Explorer. This is the part I know the least about. Isn't the firewall several steps ahead of my own computer and not caring what kind of browser I have?
Sadly, someone told me ahead of time this IT person isn't very ahem knowledgeable. Have I seriously breached security or is this person just wrong?
First, some one then said I "downloaded Mozilla and removed Internet Explorer" which I think is not possible. I seem to recall a lawsuit.... If it is possible, I have neither the knowledge nor the inclination to actually remove the software.
Second, it was passed along that we get our anti virus updates through internet explorer? Don't those just come through the anti-virus software itself? You don't need a web browser for that.
Third, that the firewall is set up for Internet Explorer. This is the part I know the least about. Isn't the firewall several steps ahead of my own computer and not caring what kind of browser I have?
Sadly, someone told me ahead of time this IT person isn't very ahem knowledgeable. Have I seriously breached security or is this person just wrong?
I guess I'm slow
I ran 5.5 miles this morning. I know, I ran in the morning. The 5.5 miles was really good considering I hadn't run for 4 days. However, I ran it in 12:06 miles. I think really I was running faster than that until I got to the big hill at the end and that really slowed me down. I wish I had stretched after I ran. I needed to do that. Other biological concerns kept me from so doing though.
To facilitate the "getting up early" deal, I put my alarm clock across the room, something I haven't had to do for several years. Oh well. It it works... Right now I need to go buy food. I'm ignoring this need. I also need to do laundry. Don't think I'll be ignoring that.
Also, something I think I now have in common with one of you: I have a co-worker who in the words of one friend "eats my brain". Said co-worker also has a voice that is pitched at the exact frequency that sends chills down my spine. Today she was speaking loudly in the uncomfortable tone saying things that were making it hard for me not to shut my door in a request for privacy. Although, usually I like her and wind up eating with her. I guess I'm slow and grumpy today. I have no idea.
To facilitate the "getting up early" deal, I put my alarm clock across the room, something I haven't had to do for several years. Oh well. It it works... Right now I need to go buy food. I'm ignoring this need. I also need to do laundry. Don't think I'll be ignoring that.
Also, something I think I now have in common with one of you: I have a co-worker who in the words of one friend "eats my brain". Said co-worker also has a voice that is pitched at the exact frequency that sends chills down my spine. Today she was speaking loudly in the uncomfortable tone saying things that were making it hard for me not to shut my door in a request for privacy. Although, usually I like her and wind up eating with her. I guess I'm slow and grumpy today. I have no idea.
4.8.07
Another game update
An update on the map game mentioned here and here. I got 49 out of 51 (yes, there's only 50 states, but they put DC on the map too), and my average error was two miles. How are the rest of you doing?
I haven't run yet
I know. But now I think I can hear thunder in the background. I think seven miles is too far. I may run a shorter distance today. In the meantime, I've been poking around on the internet.
President Bush visited the bridge site today. Note the picture of the banner. I'm surprised there weren't more. Minnesotans are the most politically active people I've ever met.
A State By State Look at Deficient and Obsolete Bridges. I'm trying to decide if I've been on the one in Hamilton County Ohio that was rated a 3 out of 100. I think if I haven't been on it I've been under it or near it, but not that often.
Just a thought as I leave for now: There's a world toilet organization?
President Bush visited the bridge site today. Note the picture of the banner. I'm surprised there weren't more. Minnesotans are the most politically active people I've ever met.
A State By State Look at Deficient and Obsolete Bridges. I'm trying to decide if I've been on the one in Hamilton County Ohio that was rated a 3 out of 100. I think if I haven't been on it I've been under it or near it, but not that often.
Just a thought as I leave for now: There's a world toilet organization?
I didn't run today, we'll see how tomorrow goes
I was supposed to run 3 miles today, according to my training schedule. I didn't. We'll see how tomorrow goes. That's supposed to be seven miles. I was too tired this morning to get up and run. It's been rough since the bridge collapsed. I haven't slept too well. No one has really.
It's really interesting to compare the local stories to the national, as I've said so far. MSNBC is running a story about President Bush and his new chance to be comforter. Ironic that his newest chance to be a comfort would come to one of the most liberal cities in the entire country where his approval ratings had to be about the same as my shoe size before this mess. All I could think about was how a presidential motorcade was going to make traffic even worse because they have to close so many roads and (ironically) bridges. The more I started thinking about this, the more I realized that President Bush, or even the First Lady who was here today aren't offering a whole lot of tangible support, other than the "oh, yeah, this is a tragedy". I think that's a dumb thing we expect our leaders to do. President Bush coming doesn't make my life any better. I also really wish it didn't come on the heals of President Bush convincing congress to set fire to the bill of rights.
In the mean time, I'm wondering how this will change things. Things can't go back to how they were before Wednesday night. No one here can go over a bridge without thinking about it. It's amazing how many bridges are in the twin cities really. I go over at least five every day just to get to work. It's interesting to hear the tone of the traffic reports on the news. Traffic here has been so bad for a while, that traffic reports used to take the tone of "this really blows, someone needs to fix this", especially regarding another section of 35W south of that bridge. (Ironically, I'll that's eased up quite a bit.) Now the tone of the traffic reports is more like "ok, this is how things are and we're just going to drive together on the roads we do have and work this out". It's kind of nice, a much more civil tone to the whole thing I think.
It's really interesting to compare the local stories to the national, as I've said so far. MSNBC is running a story about President Bush and his new chance to be comforter. Ironic that his newest chance to be a comfort would come to one of the most liberal cities in the entire country where his approval ratings had to be about the same as my shoe size before this mess. All I could think about was how a presidential motorcade was going to make traffic even worse because they have to close so many roads and (ironically) bridges. The more I started thinking about this, the more I realized that President Bush, or even the First Lady who was here today aren't offering a whole lot of tangible support, other than the "oh, yeah, this is a tragedy". I think that's a dumb thing we expect our leaders to do. President Bush coming doesn't make my life any better. I also really wish it didn't come on the heals of President Bush convincing congress to set fire to the bill of rights.
In the mean time, I'm wondering how this will change things. Things can't go back to how they were before Wednesday night. No one here can go over a bridge without thinking about it. It's amazing how many bridges are in the twin cities really. I go over at least five every day just to get to work. It's interesting to hear the tone of the traffic reports on the news. Traffic here has been so bad for a while, that traffic reports used to take the tone of "this really blows, someone needs to fix this", especially regarding another section of 35W south of that bridge. (Ironically, I'll that's eased up quite a bit.) Now the tone of the traffic reports is more like "ok, this is how things are and we're just going to drive together on the roads we do have and work this out". It's kind of nice, a much more civil tone to the whole thing I think.
The Friday Five
1. If you were a fruit, which would you be and why?
Raspberries because I like them the best.
2. If you wake up and smell smoke, and you have to get everybody (pets included) out of the house safely, but you have time to grab one item, what would you grab?
Definitely my clothes.
3. If you were stuck on an island, who would be the one person you would want with you and why?
My friend Chris because he's an Eagle Scout. He's like MacGyver. Give him a ball of twine and a match stick and he can live for two years. Plus he's a friend and I like hanging out with him.
4. If you could change one thing about your physical appearance, what would it be?
As Kelly would say, my body is perfect just how it is. It's me after all.
5. If you could spend the day with one famous person, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Alive.
Raspberries because I like them the best.
2. If you wake up and smell smoke, and you have to get everybody (pets included) out of the house safely, but you have time to grab one item, what would you grab?
Definitely my clothes.
3. If you were stuck on an island, who would be the one person you would want with you and why?
My friend Chris because he's an Eagle Scout. He's like MacGyver. Give him a ball of twine and a match stick and he can live for two years. Plus he's a friend and I like hanging out with him.
4. If you could change one thing about your physical appearance, what would it be?
As Kelly would say, my body is perfect just how it is. It's me after all.
5. If you could spend the day with one famous person, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Alive.
3.8.07
I am a visionary
I already knew that, but now there's proof:
Here is your profile:
Your 4 Quadrant Style Guide | ||||||||||||||||||
|  | Left-Brain Abstract (Analytic): Think in terms of facts, details and ordered information. Left-Brain Concrete (Conclusive): Think in terms of problems and quick solutions. Right-Brain Abstract (Synthetic): Think in terms of large, global concepts and ideas. Right-Brain Concrete (Interactive): Think in terms of conversation. Want to know more? See complete quadrants description here. | ||||||||||||||||
The Visionary
You're the ultimate universal, holistic thinker! Yes, you're a visionary. Everything, including the smallest detail, needs to be synthesized into a framework that answers the question, "How?" Before you begin any project or task, you need to see the big picture. Not one step can be taken until you know how that one step fits into the whole.
Yes, I think that's true.
2.8.07
No one really slept last night
Seems like everyone at work didn't sleep last night. I didn't. I've watched a small amount of news coverage, more and more as they stop playing the video of the bridge falling. The difference between the national coverage and local coverage: one has a soul. I'm just saying. I think both had souls this morning, but as the day went on CNN, AP, all of the national outlets started focusing on whose fault this is. Minnesota hasn't really gone there. They have started looking at other bridges. Since I drive over so many of them, I'm in agreement with that. No one has really even complained about the traffic yet. I didn't go that way but it can't be good. Other difference between local news and everyone else, we don't write garbage like this. That's helpful.
1.8.07
I am OK
I'm leading with the positive. Unless you live under a rock (or in another country, as some of my friends do) you probably know that a rather important bridge in Minneapolis collapsed into the Mississippi River today and about 40 cars went into the water with it. They have been and I'm assuming still are for the moment people not to use cell phones because the networks are jammed and they need the lines. I went out with a couple of friends tonight and left my phone in the car. I was really touched when I opened it up and found all the calls I'd missed, and those were just the ones that could get through.
I did call my parents, who hadn't heard the news yet. It happened a bit after 6p here, so everyone in the eastern time zone (read: my parents) had already turned off the news for the evening. They asked me lots of questions. I haven't watched any of the news coverage. I've checked out a couple of the local news websites but the pictures are so horrible I haven't looked at too many.
What was I doing when I found out? Running. What else? I ran 4 miles in 10:59 miles (I'm still a little sore from yesterday). I was running on the track at the Y. As I was leaving I walked by the fitness floor where the weights and treadmills and bikes and things are. All these people were just standing there, gathered around the TVs. People were on ellipticals not moving, on stair masters not climbing, on bikes not pedaling. And people were standing in between the machines, gathered all around. I couldn't see the TV very well, I was in the back, but I didn't stay after I found out what happened. I knew it would upset me to watch more.
I sent a big email tonight to a bunch of people, just saying I was ok and thanks for thinking of me. And I talked to a friend I hadn't talked to in over a year. That was really nice.
And why was I sore from yesterday? First, I ran a little faster for a little longer than my body has gone in quite a while. So that made me sore. Then at the end of it, I did all these lunges on both of my legs. It used muscles I haven't spoken with in quite a while, especially the inner thigh muscles. Who needs a thigh master? These are a really good exercise, I think I'll keep doing them, but not tomorrow. Tomorrow will be my day of rest before the weekend.
I did call my parents, who hadn't heard the news yet. It happened a bit after 6p here, so everyone in the eastern time zone (read: my parents) had already turned off the news for the evening. They asked me lots of questions. I haven't watched any of the news coverage. I've checked out a couple of the local news websites but the pictures are so horrible I haven't looked at too many.
What was I doing when I found out? Running. What else? I ran 4 miles in 10:59 miles (I'm still a little sore from yesterday). I was running on the track at the Y. As I was leaving I walked by the fitness floor where the weights and treadmills and bikes and things are. All these people were just standing there, gathered around the TVs. People were on ellipticals not moving, on stair masters not climbing, on bikes not pedaling. And people were standing in between the machines, gathered all around. I couldn't see the TV very well, I was in the back, but I didn't stay after I found out what happened. I knew it would upset me to watch more.
I sent a big email tonight to a bunch of people, just saying I was ok and thanks for thinking of me. And I talked to a friend I hadn't talked to in over a year. That was really nice.
And why was I sore from yesterday? First, I ran a little faster for a little longer than my body has gone in quite a while. So that made me sore. Then at the end of it, I did all these lunges on both of my legs. It used muscles I haven't spoken with in quite a while, especially the inner thigh muscles. Who needs a thigh master? These are a really good exercise, I think I'll keep doing them, but not tomorrow. Tomorrow will be my day of rest before the weekend.
31.7.07
Ten on Tuesday
Ten Countries I'd Like To Visit:
1. Zanzibar. One word: beaches. Check out google images to see what I mean.
2. Egypt. Never did get to see the pyramids during my world cruise. Woops.
3. Peru. Isn't Machu Pichu one of the wonders of the world now? I have other reasons for wanting to see Peru but we're not going there.
4. France. Food. Mmmmmm. I've heard that in France all the food is good. It's not like in the US where you're never sure if the place you're heading to for dinner is going to give you great service or food poisoning.
5. The little port in Antartica. Just to say I've been there.
6. Australia. That's my other missing continent. I've been to all the other ones.
7. Thailand. Beaches. Food. My brother. Pad Thai, mmmm.
8. Croatia. I was supposed to go there too. I've heard it's gorgeous and I think relatively safe now.
9. Tibet. I'm counting it as a country. I hope I can see it one day. I hope I'm alive to see the whole China/Tibet thing resolved. I'd love to know how it turns out.
10. Ghana. There are a lot of people in the Twin Cities from Ghana. It's Africa but so different from where I lived. I think it's a little more developed, like maybe they have roads and running water in more of the country. I think more of the country also has electricity. That's really saying something.
I'm leaving all the places I've been before but would like to see again:
Canada (I love Vancouver), Japan to see Kao, India because it's there, Singapore because it's like New York City only clean (English Speaking, huge, business and commerce capitol) and one of two places in the world that has a rain forest within the city limits, Seychelles for the same reason as Zanzibar, South Africa and Malawi for obvious reasons, Cuba because I could at the time, Italy for the food. I could stop in Italy on my way between France and Croatia (before I go down to Egypt).
1. Zanzibar. One word: beaches. Check out google images to see what I mean.
2. Egypt. Never did get to see the pyramids during my world cruise. Woops.
3. Peru. Isn't Machu Pichu one of the wonders of the world now? I have other reasons for wanting to see Peru but we're not going there.
4. France. Food. Mmmmmm. I've heard that in France all the food is good. It's not like in the US where you're never sure if the place you're heading to for dinner is going to give you great service or food poisoning.
5. The little port in Antartica. Just to say I've been there.
6. Australia. That's my other missing continent. I've been to all the other ones.
7. Thailand. Beaches. Food. My brother. Pad Thai, mmmm.
8. Croatia. I was supposed to go there too. I've heard it's gorgeous and I think relatively safe now.
9. Tibet. I'm counting it as a country. I hope I can see it one day. I hope I'm alive to see the whole China/Tibet thing resolved. I'd love to know how it turns out.
10. Ghana. There are a lot of people in the Twin Cities from Ghana. It's Africa but so different from where I lived. I think it's a little more developed, like maybe they have roads and running water in more of the country. I think more of the country also has electricity. That's really saying something.
I'm leaving all the places I've been before but would like to see again:
Canada (I love Vancouver), Japan to see Kao, India because it's there, Singapore because it's like New York City only clean (English Speaking, huge, business and commerce capitol) and one of two places in the world that has a rain forest within the city limits, Seychelles for the same reason as Zanzibar, South Africa and Malawi for obvious reasons, Cuba because I could at the time, Italy for the food. I could stop in Italy on my way between France and Croatia (before I go down to Egypt).
Interior decoration
As I've noted before, there's this blog about Ikea that had a post that reminded me of Amanda. We got a boatload of those mirrors when we were at Ikea Sunday night. I can't seem to resist the urge to offer my advice, so here goes: I like the idea of painting the mirrors different colors. It wouldn't be too hard with some spray paint and would look really nice. That said, I was happy to go shopping with you and will be happy to be part of any mirror-hanging-laser-leveling-double-sided-tape foray.
I'm excited for my interior decorator to visit on Thursday. I even thought about cleaning up the joint before then. I haven't yet, but I did think about it. I also tried to get paint swatches but Ace closes at 8p instead of 9p like every other store on the planet. How sad. I'm starting to have more and more ideas about my bedroom which was really hard last week. I have this sweatshirt that's this light purple. Every time I wear it I get compliments on the color even though it's totally ratty. Here's a picture:
I think a nice light shade of purple like that would be nice. I think we can find a tone that's in the same family as my curtains so they can stay as well. I know the bedroom is the one room in the house where it's acceptable to "go dark" and I really appreciate a dark bedroom. I'm just not feeling like the paint job in there should be that oppressive.
And, as a special treat, I have never had to say this. And I've said many odd things in my career.
I'm excited for my interior decorator to visit on Thursday. I even thought about cleaning up the joint before then. I haven't yet, but I did think about it. I also tried to get paint swatches but Ace closes at 8p instead of 9p like every other store on the planet. How sad. I'm starting to have more and more ideas about my bedroom which was really hard last week. I have this sweatshirt that's this light purple. Every time I wear it I get compliments on the color even though it's totally ratty. Here's a picture:
I think a nice light shade of purple like that would be nice. I think we can find a tone that's in the same family as my curtains so they can stay as well. I know the bedroom is the one room in the house where it's acceptable to "go dark" and I really appreciate a dark bedroom. I'm just not feeling like the paint job in there should be that oppressive.
And, as a special treat, I have never had to say this. And I've said many odd things in my career.
workout update
Working out is going well so far. I ran 4 miles today in 41:16 which means I'm running a 10:19, which is really good for me, especially to sustain it for 4 miles. I'm beginning to see the point to running on a track. It definitely makes me run much faster than road running. It helps that I don't have to stop for traffic and other pesky things like that as well.
I have sort of decided that I'm sick of waking up and being tired all day. I need to start working out in the morning again. Tomorrow will be my first try at working out in the morning. We'll see how it goes. I think part of the reason I'm having a hard time getting up in the mornings is my job is really hard right now. I always thought Social Workers were sort of exaggerating about paperwork. They're not. Holy crap. I'm just starting to learn all the forms that are required. It's taking a while. I'd rather be doing other stuff.
Things that will help me get out of bed and be excited for the day tomorrow:
1. I am going to help a colleague I really like with the computer. We have an hour. I have a feeling we'll need to make another appointment.
2. I am done for now with the one file that was taking forever.
3. I get to see Michelle and Liz for dinner or dessert tomorrow, I'm not sure which. But since I'm seeing them after work, that even increases the need to wkae up early and run.
The Nike+iPod is still wildly off kilter. The next time I run around the track I think I'm going to put the sensor on my left shoe the inside shoe when running around the track and see if that makes a difference. I haven't been able to calibrate it yet. I'm nervous about this weekend. There's a seven mile run listed in my workout for Saturday. Yeah, ok. I've run that far before, but not for a while. I feel better now that I'm running more. But last weekend I skipped the 6 mile run in favor of having Sunday be my day off. This week I've adjusted work out days to allow for Sunday to continue to be my day of rest.
I have sort of decided that I'm sick of waking up and being tired all day. I need to start working out in the morning again. Tomorrow will be my first try at working out in the morning. We'll see how it goes. I think part of the reason I'm having a hard time getting up in the mornings is my job is really hard right now. I always thought Social Workers were sort of exaggerating about paperwork. They're not. Holy crap. I'm just starting to learn all the forms that are required. It's taking a while. I'd rather be doing other stuff.
Things that will help me get out of bed and be excited for the day tomorrow:
1. I am going to help a colleague I really like with the computer. We have an hour. I have a feeling we'll need to make another appointment.
2. I am done for now with the one file that was taking forever.
3. I get to see Michelle and Liz for dinner or dessert tomorrow, I'm not sure which. But since I'm seeing them after work, that even increases the need to wkae up early and run.
The Nike+iPod is still wildly off kilter. The next time I run around the track I think I'm going to put the sensor on my left shoe the inside shoe when running around the track and see if that makes a difference. I haven't been able to calibrate it yet. I'm nervous about this weekend. There's a seven mile run listed in my workout for Saturday. Yeah, ok. I've run that far before, but not for a while. I feel better now that I'm running more. But last weekend I skipped the 6 mile run in favor of having Sunday be my day off. This week I've adjusted work out days to allow for Sunday to continue to be my day of rest.
30.7.07
Mondays
Presented by The Monday Music Mambo
1. Name a song or two about cars or driving.
"Go For A Ride" by Uncle Six, a band from Cincinnati.
"Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5, one of my favorite songs ever.
"Mustang Sally" by Credence Clearwater or anyone else really.
2. Name a song that's good to listen to when driving.
"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield is a favorite of mine.
"Mambo Italiano" is a great song to sing and dance to when no one is in the car to see.
"Put Your Records On" by Corrine Bailey Rae is also a great song.
3. Name an album that's good to listen to when driving.
"One Night Only" by Elton John got me through most of Pennsylvania when I was living there, and that's saying something when you think about the Pennsylvania turnpike.
"No Quarter" by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant is a longstanding favorite.
Almost any album by Dave Matthews Band including "Crash" "Under the Table and Dreaming" and "Busted Stuff" are fantastic too.
4. If you could drive the car of one musician, whose car would you choose?
I don't really know who's got the best cars. Here are my requirements for a car: First, stick shift is mandatory. Second, convertibles are only allowed in places where the temperature does not drop below 50* (read: Florida, California and Hawaii). Third: SUVs are not allowed as they take up more gas than any human being needs. Trucks are not allowed outside of Kentucky where they are the state vehicle. Fourth: I require a fun road to travel on, preferably something in the mountains or the hills of Appalachia because those are the most fun places I know that don't give me a fear of heights. Hmmm. What famous musicians live in Kentucky? I bet they have fun cars.
Finally, as a special treat for several of you who know one of the best movies ever, a great quote from Overheard in the office:
Check it out here or:
11AM And Fourth, If You Ever Incorrectly Cite That Movie Again, You're Fired
Guy in jeans and flip flops walks into office at 11 a.m. and high-fives two employees on the way.
Newbie in suit: Dude, he's totally pulling an Office Space. We better watch him -- he might set the building on fire. Or start gutting fish at his desk.
Cube dweller: Okay, first of all, that was Milton who set the building on fire, not Peter Gibbons. Second, it's Casual Friday, which is probably why he's dressed like that. And third, he doesn't work here.
Insurance office
Long Island, New York
1. Name a song or two about cars or driving.
"Go For A Ride" by Uncle Six, a band from Cincinnati.
"Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5, one of my favorite songs ever.
"Mustang Sally" by Credence Clearwater or anyone else really.
2. Name a song that's good to listen to when driving.
"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield is a favorite of mine.
"Mambo Italiano" is a great song to sing and dance to when no one is in the car to see.
"Put Your Records On" by Corrine Bailey Rae is also a great song.
3. Name an album that's good to listen to when driving.
"One Night Only" by Elton John got me through most of Pennsylvania when I was living there, and that's saying something when you think about the Pennsylvania turnpike.
"No Quarter" by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant is a longstanding favorite.
Almost any album by Dave Matthews Band including "Crash" "Under the Table and Dreaming" and "Busted Stuff" are fantastic too.
4. If you could drive the car of one musician, whose car would you choose?
I don't really know who's got the best cars. Here are my requirements for a car: First, stick shift is mandatory. Second, convertibles are only allowed in places where the temperature does not drop below 50* (read: Florida, California and Hawaii). Third: SUVs are not allowed as they take up more gas than any human being needs. Trucks are not allowed outside of Kentucky where they are the state vehicle. Fourth: I require a fun road to travel on, preferably something in the mountains or the hills of Appalachia because those are the most fun places I know that don't give me a fear of heights. Hmmm. What famous musicians live in Kentucky? I bet they have fun cars.
Finally, as a special treat for several of you who know one of the best movies ever, a great quote from Overheard in the office:
Check it out here or:
11AM And Fourth, If You Ever Incorrectly Cite That Movie Again, You're Fired
Guy in jeans and flip flops walks into office at 11 a.m. and high-fives two employees on the way.
Newbie in suit: Dude, he's totally pulling an Office Space. We better watch him -- he might set the building on fire. Or start gutting fish at his desk.
Cube dweller: Okay, first of all, that was Milton who set the building on fire, not Peter Gibbons. Second, it's Casual Friday, which is probably why he's dressed like that. And third, he doesn't work here.
Insurance office
Long Island, New York
29.7.07
Obviously I didn't run 6 miles today
I didn't run today, although I'm still considering walking around Lake Nokomis. I went to Office Max and spent way too much money for not that much stuff. I got a comfy wrist pad for my keyboard and mouse at work. I keep thinking I don't need one at home because I have a laptop, even though it probably wouldn't hurt. I also got a couple of nice file boxes that match the decor because the crates never quite agreed with me. I think I'll clean and organize after the walk.
It's been an Ikea rich day in the news:
1. Ikea opens free hostel to shoppers who don't want to leave. Just another reason to visit Norway. Yes, I know Ikea is Sweedish, but the hostel isn't in Sweeden. I'm just sayin..
2. How to Make a Coffin Out of Ikea Parts, just what the designers envisioned I'm sure.
3. Ikea Product Names Demystified. That doesn't help me.
4. And possibly my favorite new blog ever, Ikea Hacker.
It's been an Ikea rich day in the news:
1. Ikea opens free hostel to shoppers who don't want to leave. Just another reason to visit Norway. Yes, I know Ikea is Sweedish, but the hostel isn't in Sweeden. I'm just sayin..
2. How to Make a Coffin Out of Ikea Parts, just what the designers envisioned I'm sure.
3. Ikea Product Names Demystified. That doesn't help me.
4. And possibly my favorite new blog ever, Ikea Hacker.
28.7.07
A noteworthy occaision
So that last post was my 666th post on this blog. I know. The Nike+ still badly needs to be calibrated. I ran 3.6 miles today and it thinks I ran a little over 4. Incidentally, I don't know what happens to me on the weekends that I think running at 12:30 will be a good idea, never the less, I did. There's something about running in the heat that's stupid but in another way makes my body stronger. Yeah, see, stupid. I ran like 11:58 miles. It was that hot. My training program is telling me I need to run 6 miles tomorrow. I'm not sure how that's going to happen. We'll see what time I wake up.
Also, two of my friends are getting married (yes, to each other) and thought it would be fun to put something ridiculously expensive on their registry and so chose an espresso maker. If no one gets you that $2,500 monstrosity, you should think about this one. Is it bad that it doesn't even give a price?
Also, two of my friends are getting married (yes, to each other) and thought it would be fun to put something ridiculously expensive on their registry and so chose an espresso maker. If no one gets you that $2,500 monstrosity, you should think about this one. Is it bad that it doesn't even give a price?
26.7.07
A day early
From The Friday Five: (yes, a day early)
1. What item would you be embarrassed for people to know you own?
Hmmm. Some people gave me an unending amount of crap for the Dr. Quinn DVDs I own. I still think it was a great show. Although The WestWing is my current favorite. I'm my internet browsing history is much more embarrassing than anything I own.
2. What is something you splurged on just for you?
My computer and the iPod, both iPods really.
3. What is something that you own with no real world value that is priceless to you?
The book the kids made and signed for me is pretty special. I have a plant named after one of my friends, although it wasn't named after her nicest most sympathetic moment. I have a "bat nut" which is honestly a nut that's shaped like a bat from my friend Alicia who I haven't seen in forever but it's supposed to bring good luck. And I have a dream catcher from the first person I helped get a full time job.
4. Do you collect anything?
I used to collect key chains. Now I'm afraid if I collected anything it would overtake my whole apartment. I do have a boatload of bookmarks on Del.icio.us though. 456 so far. Yes, at first it bothered me that I couldn't just have folders of things, but once I got used to things this way, I like it even better.
5. What item belonging to a friend/family member do you covet?
Of Kelly's: a DVR and cable. I miss cable. Although I do watch way less tv than I used to. Of Amanda's: I always thought it would be fun to have a trunk that big (in my car) and I love the little netting in the trunk too. It seems like groceries wouldn't slide around as much if I had that. Of pretty much anyone else: a pillow top or comfort foam mattress. Kelly's sweatshirt, oh wait, I still have that. Maybe I'll give it back when you come to my house. Of Eric: That cool video game console on which you can play every nintendo video game known to man, including Mario 3 which is my favorite.
1. What item would you be embarrassed for people to know you own?
Hmmm. Some people gave me an unending amount of crap for the Dr. Quinn DVDs I own. I still think it was a great show. Although The WestWing is my current favorite. I'm my internet browsing history is much more embarrassing than anything I own.
2. What is something you splurged on just for you?
My computer and the iPod, both iPods really.
3. What is something that you own with no real world value that is priceless to you?
The book the kids made and signed for me is pretty special. I have a plant named after one of my friends, although it wasn't named after her nicest most sympathetic moment. I have a "bat nut" which is honestly a nut that's shaped like a bat from my friend Alicia who I haven't seen in forever but it's supposed to bring good luck. And I have a dream catcher from the first person I helped get a full time job.
4. Do you collect anything?
I used to collect key chains. Now I'm afraid if I collected anything it would overtake my whole apartment. I do have a boatload of bookmarks on Del.icio.us though. 456 so far. Yes, at first it bothered me that I couldn't just have folders of things, but once I got used to things this way, I like it even better.
5. What item belonging to a friend/family member do you covet?
Of Kelly's: a DVR and cable. I miss cable. Although I do watch way less tv than I used to. Of Amanda's: I always thought it would be fun to have a trunk that big (in my car) and I love the little netting in the trunk too. It seems like groceries wouldn't slide around as much if I had that. Of pretty much anyone else: a pillow top or comfort foam mattress. Kelly's sweatshirt, oh wait, I still have that. Maybe I'll give it back when you come to my house. Of Eric: That cool video game console on which you can play every nintendo video game known to man, including Mario 3 which is my favorite.
oh oh the poor ipod sensor
For sure the Nike+iPod doesn't work on the indoor track I use. It's not totally perfect when I use it outdoors, like maybe 100ft off or so. That's not noteworthy, I am a little short. Today on the indoor track it was .47 miles off. I think it's the running in circles that's doing it. I did run 3 miles at 10:18 miles. That's for sure the fastest I've ever run 3 miles. How exciting.
Since I only ran 3 miles, I figured, "hey, I should lift weights and work out a little longer". I've always wanted to start lifting weights a little bit because I keep reading how important strength training is for runners. For reasons passing all human understanding read: I have OCD I'm just not a fan of the free weights. I think partly because I don't know how to use them and I don't have anyone to spot me. Like I'm going to be able to lift enough to really require a spotter. And they just got all these new machines that are unlike anything I've ever seen. But they have the exercise balls and nice poster of all the different things you can do with the exercise balls, including lifting weights. I tried it. I decided I must look pretty silly because a big part of using the exercise balls involves balancing on said ball. I think I probably looked the silliest when I was supposed to be balancing on my stomach, like to do push ups and those things. I think the ball is not for me. I'll have to watch my old "8 minute arms" from YouTube to get more arms exercise ideas. I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but that was actually a fairly good program.
In other news the job is going well. I had an exhausting day today. I almost thought I wouldn't run. I'm still tired as all get out. Seriously, I was never a morning person but I used to be able to get up and run or exercise in the morning without that big of a problem. Right now I'm blaming it on the stress of graduating, switching jobs, and still not being totally comfortable with the new job in conjunction with the heat. I woke up this morning and felt like if I wasn't so hot I could have run. I'm glad I waited 'till tonight. Look how well I did.
Also, I just got all 43 presidents again.
Since I only ran 3 miles, I figured, "hey, I should lift weights and work out a little longer". I've always wanted to start lifting weights a little bit because I keep reading how important strength training is for runners. For reasons passing all human understanding read: I have OCD I'm just not a fan of the free weights. I think partly because I don't know how to use them and I don't have anyone to spot me. Like I'm going to be able to lift enough to really require a spotter. And they just got all these new machines that are unlike anything I've ever seen. But they have the exercise balls and nice poster of all the different things you can do with the exercise balls, including lifting weights. I tried it. I decided I must look pretty silly because a big part of using the exercise balls involves balancing on said ball. I think I probably looked the silliest when I was supposed to be balancing on my stomach, like to do push ups and those things. I think the ball is not for me. I'll have to watch my old "8 minute arms" from YouTube to get more arms exercise ideas. I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but that was actually a fairly good program.
In other news the job is going well. I had an exhausting day today. I almost thought I wouldn't run. I'm still tired as all get out. Seriously, I was never a morning person but I used to be able to get up and run or exercise in the morning without that big of a problem. Right now I'm blaming it on the stress of graduating, switching jobs, and still not being totally comfortable with the new job in conjunction with the heat. I woke up this morning and felt like if I wasn't so hot I could have run. I'm glad I waited 'till tonight. Look how well I did.
Also, I just got all 43 presidents again.
25.7.07
Update on the games
I am still playing the 50 States Game mentioned here and the President Game mentioned here. On the map game I just got 49 perfect out of 51. I missed Delaware (put it too high up the coast) and Kansas, but I think we know how I feel about that state. On the president's game, I just got all of them. We'll see if I can do a repeat performance in a day or two.
The Nike+ipod needs to be calibrated
Does anyone reading this, Eric, know if running with a Nike+ipod on an indoor track can wreak havoc on the sensors ability to accurately measure distance. I ran on an indoor track and the further I ran, the more off the distances got. I think the distances were never quite perfect, but they were really off tonight. Like I think I ran 4 miles and the iPod thinks I ran 4.7 miles. I think it's time to calibrate the thing. I'm going to see if I can run around Lake Nokomis because they have the mileage posted there. I knew I wasn't really running 9:00 miles. I thought it didn't seem right that I magically got that fast. Sadly, it means I have a lot of work to do to be able to run a 10K in under 1:00:00. Maybe this won't be the 10K I run that fast, maybe that will be the next one. I'm still looking forward to the Milk Run. My goal is to run it in 30:00. I think I need to pick up some speed to run it that fast.
24.7.07
Ask me, go ahead
Just ask me why I love my mac? Because I just plugged in my printer and the mac instantly recognized it and started working. No installing drivers. No CDs. No restarting the computer five times and printing five test pages that use half the ink in the cartridge. And I just now learned how to print the highlighted sections of web pages on my mac. How happy am I? So happy I think I'll go to sleep soon.
I've consulted my designer
I tried to get up and run this morning. I was unsuccessful. The waking up part. The running part we'll never know. I've decided that tomorrow if I get up and run I'll make a shake with mint in it. I love fresh mint. If I ever start a garden, I'll have mint everywhere because I could put it in almost any food.
I've consulted my designer. She suggested a "plan" for the whole joint before moving forward with any portion of said joint. Also, thank you for the paint suggestions. For the entry way, I like the brown stripes and I'm glad I have approval. The colors I liked were 260F-5 "Applesauce Cake" and 240E-3 "Coronado Dunes". The pink does not scare me.
For the bedroom, I would like to paint it a color. I have no idea which color I'd like to paint it. I have dark purple curtains which could honestly stay or go. It just has to be able to get along with the brown in the hallway. My parents are encouraging me to get new carpet so it doesn't necessarily have to match the carpet I have right now. I mean, seriously, I'm at square one.
For the bathroom, it remains as is. I'm done working in there for a while I think. Although Dad wants me to get a new vanity for there too.
For the kitchen, I think it's going to get re-done, although my plan is still to seek out medium to dark stained wood for the cabinets, and white appliances. Will I really be the first one of us to have a mortgage? Are you sure no one else wants to go first with this one? I'm not sure what the floor will be like in there, maybe wood or the new "fake" hard wood floors. I could do tile. Linoleum is simply not allowed.
For the living room, it needs to be repainted and I refuse to have my walls super-white. I was thinking of a cream color, perhaps one that could pick up on the browns from the hallway and kitchen, or a cream that has a slightly red tint to pick up on the curtains. But seriously, cream ok. Again, I'm not married to the rug in that room so the walls don't have to match it but they do have to match my color changing couch because that's staying and I think the curtains will stay too. They've done well there so far. As far as accent walls, I think even the little wall with the a/c unit in it, or the little wall with the ugly black mirror currently taking up space is just too busy for that space. The wall with the a/c unit is too close to the red curtains and so doesn't need to be accented and the wall with the ugly mirror is literally the other side of the hallway wall which will have brown stripes on it.
We'll see how this whole "Liz wakes up and runs" things works out tomorrow. I'm secretly not optimistic.
I've consulted my designer. She suggested a "plan" for the whole joint before moving forward with any portion of said joint. Also, thank you for the paint suggestions. For the entry way, I like the brown stripes and I'm glad I have approval. The colors I liked were 260F-5 "Applesauce Cake" and 240E-3 "Coronado Dunes". The pink does not scare me.
For the bedroom, I would like to paint it a color. I have no idea which color I'd like to paint it. I have dark purple curtains which could honestly stay or go. It just has to be able to get along with the brown in the hallway. My parents are encouraging me to get new carpet so it doesn't necessarily have to match the carpet I have right now. I mean, seriously, I'm at square one.
For the bathroom, it remains as is. I'm done working in there for a while I think. Although Dad wants me to get a new vanity for there too.
For the kitchen, I think it's going to get re-done, although my plan is still to seek out medium to dark stained wood for the cabinets, and white appliances. Will I really be the first one of us to have a mortgage? Are you sure no one else wants to go first with this one? I'm not sure what the floor will be like in there, maybe wood or the new "fake" hard wood floors. I could do tile. Linoleum is simply not allowed.
For the living room, it needs to be repainted and I refuse to have my walls super-white. I was thinking of a cream color, perhaps one that could pick up on the browns from the hallway and kitchen, or a cream that has a slightly red tint to pick up on the curtains. But seriously, cream ok. Again, I'm not married to the rug in that room so the walls don't have to match it but they do have to match my color changing couch because that's staying and I think the curtains will stay too. They've done well there so far. As far as accent walls, I think even the little wall with the a/c unit in it, or the little wall with the ugly black mirror currently taking up space is just too busy for that space. The wall with the a/c unit is too close to the red curtains and so doesn't need to be accented and the wall with the ugly mirror is literally the other side of the hallway wall which will have brown stripes on it.
We'll see how this whole "Liz wakes up and runs" things works out tomorrow. I'm secretly not optimistic.
23.7.07
Apparently I'm not quite ready for the 10K
I got up this morning in time to run I know, a miracle in itself and for some reason thought I could run six miles really fast. Turns out I can't yet. I'll work on that. I died after about four miles, although then I was still down at Lake Nokomis so I walked for a while and then ran hills on the way home. Felt good to get up and run, but it took me so long to get home that I didn't have time to stretch properly before I had to get ready for work. My little legs ached all day.
At the end of the day I bought new running shoes, and I bought frames for some of my pictures that didn't have them, including my degree, which obviously gets a nice one. I think I'm going to take them all in to work, although I love the ones in my entry way.
Speaking of my entry way, because I can't seem to get it together to invite my interior decorator over for dinner and a consultation, I think I need to work on the entryway painting project first. For some reason, a brown color in there seems like a good idea. I have no explanation. Here's my question. I've seen wall striping done in a lot of places and I think it looks cool. I think it looks really nice and would be great and welcoming in my entry way. (I'm talking about the first little hallway and the second hallway that goes to my bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.) Am I allowed to do this to my condo? Would it really just look dumb? For colors, my designer was thinking taupe, I was thinking something more in the chocolate family, although not quite as dark.
I found all these really funny web pages today that I feel compelled to share with those of you who don't have digg, or don't have the chance to check it as often as you should:
1. God's Inbox. What's funny to me about this is not so much the picture but the comment on the digg page below the link.
2. Statris, another USA map game for my second interior designer and sometimes running partner who loves them.
3. 10 Most Amazing Illusions has some really cool pictures. We should learn how to do some of these things.
4. Top 13 Worst Translations Ever is an illustration of why it's important for translators working for ad agencies to understand the nuances and idioms of both languages. Woops. This one is almost not safe for work, just be careful not to snort starbucks up your nose.
5. Pick Your Candidate is a cool web site for all political persuasions. It lists a whole bunch of issues that are facing voters right now, asks you whether you support or oppose the measure, and then asks you to rate how strongly you feel about the issue. Once you've put in all your answers, it tells you which candidates most closely share your views, and scores almost all the candidates on how close they are to what you're looking for. It's only for the presidential election of 2008. I thought it was interesting. Of course I came up as agreeing closest with someone I don't know too much about. At least he was from the part of the political spectrum I was expecting.
At the end of the day I bought new running shoes, and I bought frames for some of my pictures that didn't have them, including my degree, which obviously gets a nice one. I think I'm going to take them all in to work, although I love the ones in my entry way.
Speaking of my entry way, because I can't seem to get it together to invite my interior decorator over for dinner and a consultation, I think I need to work on the entryway painting project first. For some reason, a brown color in there seems like a good idea. I have no explanation. Here's my question. I've seen wall striping done in a lot of places and I think it looks cool. I think it looks really nice and would be great and welcoming in my entry way. (I'm talking about the first little hallway and the second hallway that goes to my bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.) Am I allowed to do this to my condo? Would it really just look dumb? For colors, my designer was thinking taupe, I was thinking something more in the chocolate family, although not quite as dark.
I found all these really funny web pages today that I feel compelled to share with those of you who don't have digg, or don't have the chance to check it as often as you should:
1. God's Inbox. What's funny to me about this is not so much the picture but the comment on the digg page below the link.
2. Statris, another USA map game for my second interior designer and sometimes running partner who loves them.
3. 10 Most Amazing Illusions has some really cool pictures. We should learn how to do some of these things.
4. Top 13 Worst Translations Ever is an illustration of why it's important for translators working for ad agencies to understand the nuances and idioms of both languages. Woops. This one is almost not safe for work, just be careful not to snort starbucks up your nose.
5. Pick Your Candidate is a cool web site for all political persuasions. It lists a whole bunch of issues that are facing voters right now, asks you whether you support or oppose the measure, and then asks you to rate how strongly you feel about the issue. Once you've put in all your answers, it tells you which candidates most closely share your views, and scores almost all the candidates on how close they are to what you're looking for. It's only for the presidential election of 2008. I thought it was interesting. Of course I came up as agreeing closest with someone I don't know too much about. At least he was from the part of the political spectrum I was expecting.
22.7.07
Nevermind, I've found my next race
I was thinking how great it would be to run a marathon and thinking about making a marathon my next race, either the Flying Pig marathon in Cincinnati, or the Twin Cities marathon in 2008. (Sorry, Duluth scares me. It's the hills.) So then I read an article that said basically I need to be able to run a 10k at around an hour without killing myself. And then I found the Bolder Dash 10K. And it's a Lake Nokomis, which you know from here, here, especially here, and finally here just how much I love this lake. And it's not on a weekend where there's a wedding, or wedding planning or showering or manicuring or partying. By the way, who's throwing the Batchelorete Party, and who will let me sleep at their house or drive me home after all the margaritas? Sorry, side comment. So now, I really need to start training for this 10K because it's not that far away. Maybe that will make me get up earlier from now on.
I think I need a new goal
I think I've blogged ad nauseum about the beating my exercise routine has taken lately. One thing I was reading a while ago about how to set up a successful exercise routine is that goals are necessary. Up to this point I just wanted to run the milk run again. I think I need a new goal. Everyone's home work is to go to Raceberry Jam and pick out a race for me to do later in the year. September is off limits, especially the beginning of September because I get to participate in a wedding, and that's really the more important thing here. I was thinking the "Run for the Apples" looked good. I thought about doing it last year but then I fell and didn't run for a full month.
Did I exercise this weekend? I walked five miles today. I didn't run though. I spent yesterday laying on the couch reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and didn't eat too well or drink enough water. And then I woke up really late this morning (possible from staying awake 'till 2:30 to finish the book) and knew that it was too hot and humid to really run. I'm thinking I'll run tomorrow morning, but I've thought I'd get up and exercise for the past two weeks and I haven't had a whole lot of luck with that lately. I'd go to bed now in anticipation of waking up early, but it's still too light outside and it sounds like my neighbors are having a party.
I tried to read outside by the pool yesterday. There was this one little boy who screamed the whole time he was in the pool. Not like in terror or threatening or distressed, just screamed to be playing. He was probably like three. There were a few other people at the pool. And the pool is in the courtyard between four buildings. The parents and adults who were caring for this kid just let him scream. He seemed slightly out of control to me, but he got out of the pool when it was time and left without a fuss. So, as a parent, when do you address the screaming behavior of the child? That kid certainly was across my line of tolerance, but I'm not a parent. I don't get kids, I don't get the mess they make, and I really don't get their noise.
I liked Harry Potter by the way.
Did I exercise this weekend? I walked five miles today. I didn't run though. I spent yesterday laying on the couch reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and didn't eat too well or drink enough water. And then I woke up really late this morning (possible from staying awake 'till 2:30 to finish the book) and knew that it was too hot and humid to really run. I'm thinking I'll run tomorrow morning, but I've thought I'd get up and exercise for the past two weeks and I haven't had a whole lot of luck with that lately. I'd go to bed now in anticipation of waking up early, but it's still too light outside and it sounds like my neighbors are having a party.
I tried to read outside by the pool yesterday. There was this one little boy who screamed the whole time he was in the pool. Not like in terror or threatening or distressed, just screamed to be playing. He was probably like three. There were a few other people at the pool. And the pool is in the courtyard between four buildings. The parents and adults who were caring for this kid just let him scream. He seemed slightly out of control to me, but he got out of the pool when it was time and left without a fuss. So, as a parent, when do you address the screaming behavior of the child? That kid certainly was across my line of tolerance, but I'm not a parent. I don't get kids, I don't get the mess they make, and I really don't get their noise.
I liked Harry Potter by the way.
19.7.07
Apparently I have an addiction
I have an addiction to pictures. Who knew? I finally got my pictures back from Snapfish and I've decided that I should have some more. Is that wrong? I have some nice ones to take to my office and I hung some of them up at home too. I'd like more for the office. Amanda had a nice idea about using flower pictures and put three flower pictures in a three picture frame, which I'd like to try. Seriously, I can't wait to get these things on my wall tomorrow morning.
Ok, now for a vote. I have all of these pictures of friends, and most of them I'm in the picture because everyone should have pictures of themselves with their friends. But a parent told me it's weird to have pictures of myself in my office. Ok, now vote. Keep in mind it's not a self portrait and all pictures are safe for work. (Also, there's none of me with any baby or small child because Amanda warned me everyone will ask if any small kid in pictures is my kid.)
In an entertaining note, I can't wait 'till this happens to me.
Ok, now for a vote. I have all of these pictures of friends, and most of them I'm in the picture because everyone should have pictures of themselves with their friends. But a parent told me it's weird to have pictures of myself in my office. Ok, now vote. Keep in mind it's not a self portrait and all pictures are safe for work. (Also, there's none of me with any baby or small child because Amanda warned me everyone will ask if any small kid in pictures is my kid.)
In an entertaining note, I can't wait 'till this happens to me.
18.7.07
This was too funny not to do
I swear I did not make this up. My mind will now sink to the gutter. Hope to see you there.
Kelly and Amanda, how many "your mom" jokes can you make. I lost count...
From The Wednesday Mind Hump
Hello humpers! Today is Wiener Day. Kind of an odd theme, but I'll go with it:
1. What's your favorite kind of wiener - all beef, beef and pork, brat or veggie?
Veggie.
2. What do you like on your wiener?
Uhhhh
3. How do you like your wiener cooked - grilled, boiled, steamed, fried, or some other way?
You'll never know.
4. The Wiener was named after the city of Vienna, Austria. Who's your favorite person who comes from that city?
My answer comes from this site, although I was already going to say Maria Von Trapp. I just had to make sure she was from Vienna and not Saltzberg.
Kelly and Amanda, how many "your mom" jokes can you make. I lost count...
From The Wednesday Mind Hump
Hello humpers! Today is Wiener Day. Kind of an odd theme, but I'll go with it:
1. What's your favorite kind of wiener - all beef, beef and pork, brat or veggie?
Veggie.
2. What do you like on your wiener?
Uhhhh
3. How do you like your wiener cooked - grilled, boiled, steamed, fried, or some other way?
You'll never know.
4. The Wiener was named after the city of Vienna, Austria. Who's your favorite person who comes from that city?
My answer comes from this site, although I was already going to say Maria Von Trapp. I just had to make sure she was from Vienna and not Saltzberg.
Extra Credit
Three more lessons I just learned:
Number One: When cooking with cilantro, especially chopped cilantro, all flat and some vertical surfaces attract cilantro. The little chopped cilantro leaves seemed to be everywhere in my kitchen. Everything I cleaned seemed to have cilantro stuck to it in some way. An extra tip, when there's just a little left over cilantro stick it in a fruit smoothie. Not a ton, but it adds a subtle taste. If there's every any mint, add all of it to the smoothie. yum.
Number Two: When the carton of milk is done, rinse it out immediately. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Number Three: I spent quite a while on Sunday listening to Dad tell me how I should redecorate and remodel this place when I take over ownership. After just cleaning my kitchen I have decided that if I'm going to be forced to own an electric stove (and at this point it's pretty clear I am being forced to do so), it will be a glass top. I'm done picking bits of food out of the burners and trying to clean the oil and food that lodges itself in the tinniest most ridiculous crevices in the world. Glass top all the way.
Number One: When cooking with cilantro, especially chopped cilantro, all flat and some vertical surfaces attract cilantro. The little chopped cilantro leaves seemed to be everywhere in my kitchen. Everything I cleaned seemed to have cilantro stuck to it in some way. An extra tip, when there's just a little left over cilantro stick it in a fruit smoothie. Not a ton, but it adds a subtle taste. If there's every any mint, add all of it to the smoothie. yum.
Number Two: When the carton of milk is done, rinse it out immediately. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Number Three: I spent quite a while on Sunday listening to Dad tell me how I should redecorate and remodel this place when I take over ownership. After just cleaning my kitchen I have decided that if I'm going to be forced to own an electric stove (and at this point it's pretty clear I am being forced to do so), it will be a glass top. I'm done picking bits of food out of the burners and trying to clean the oil and food that lodges itself in the tinniest most ridiculous crevices in the world. Glass top all the way.
Two mistakes I've made and one I hope I don't
I've learned a lot from my mistakes today.
Lesson 1: When using the same measuring cup for the rice and the water, pour in the rice first. This is one of those things I don't do too often. Pasta is really my preferred grain. So, I'm making rice for a recipe I read in Eating Well and then totally interpreted. It called for all these things to be done on a grill which is not possible at the moment, ever really. I'm not a griller. So I poured in the water to the pot for my basmati rice and then poured the rice into the now wet measuring cup. And then, obviously, the grains of rice stuck to the side of the cup and later infiltrated other foods when I used the same measuring cup (after moderate rinsing) to add water to the chicken's sauté pan. Thank you to Firefox for putting the little accent over the "e" for me.
Lesson 2: Don't drink a cup of milk and then try to run five miles. No good comes of it. Alternative: run five miles and then drink all the milk your little body desires. I ran five miles tonight. I didn't really expect to. I thought it was going to be 90* and 1000% humidity. After it rained it seemed like it would be cool enough to rain, I didn't realize I was running through a steam bath. About a mile into my run it started one of those cool the sun is shining but it's still raining deals. I say it was cool only because the rain cooled me off. I'm still loving the Nike+iPod deal. I think it's fantastic. I was having a lot of trouble lately, not exercising, tired all the time, feeling really bad, and this little gizmo seems to be all the motivation I need to go run forever and to see how fast I can go. I'd like to thank everyone involved in this gift, I really needed it right now.
So, the milk. See, when I got home it was basically a monsoon. I was wet, not unlike this incident only this time I had an umbrella and I was still soaked. I did have the presence of mind to take off my shoes before I got out of my car. I was kind of hungry, feeling like an empty stomach after my spaghetti at lunch so milk and cookies (little waffers) seemed like a good idea before going to the Y. And then I started reading Harry Potter and it stopped raining. And then it was after rush hour so I thought I'd run around the neighborhood. But when I got outside running 5 miles around Lake Nokomis really seemed to be the better option. So there I was with my milk and cookies and started off on my run. I think the discomfort didn't catch up with me until pretty near the end of the run. When I stopped running and started walking, that seemed to alleviate the discomfort.
Lesson 3: For dinner I'm having a ginormous yes, that's a word smoothie. I'm eating it while I'm sitting here typing. Guess what lesson I'm hoping to avoid learning tonight!
Lesson 1: When using the same measuring cup for the rice and the water, pour in the rice first. This is one of those things I don't do too often. Pasta is really my preferred grain. So, I'm making rice for a recipe I read in Eating Well and then totally interpreted. It called for all these things to be done on a grill which is not possible at the moment, ever really. I'm not a griller. So I poured in the water to the pot for my basmati rice and then poured the rice into the now wet measuring cup. And then, obviously, the grains of rice stuck to the side of the cup and later infiltrated other foods when I used the same measuring cup (after moderate rinsing) to add water to the chicken's sauté pan. Thank you to Firefox for putting the little accent over the "e" for me.
Lesson 2: Don't drink a cup of milk and then try to run five miles. No good comes of it. Alternative: run five miles and then drink all the milk your little body desires. I ran five miles tonight. I didn't really expect to. I thought it was going to be 90* and 1000% humidity. After it rained it seemed like it would be cool enough to rain, I didn't realize I was running through a steam bath. About a mile into my run it started one of those cool the sun is shining but it's still raining deals. I say it was cool only because the rain cooled me off. I'm still loving the Nike+iPod deal. I think it's fantastic. I was having a lot of trouble lately, not exercising, tired all the time, feeling really bad, and this little gizmo seems to be all the motivation I need to go run forever and to see how fast I can go. I'd like to thank everyone involved in this gift, I really needed it right now.
So, the milk. See, when I got home it was basically a monsoon. I was wet, not unlike this incident only this time I had an umbrella and I was still soaked. I did have the presence of mind to take off my shoes before I got out of my car. I was kind of hungry, feeling like an empty stomach after my spaghetti at lunch so milk and cookies (little waffers) seemed like a good idea before going to the Y. And then I started reading Harry Potter and it stopped raining. And then it was after rush hour so I thought I'd run around the neighborhood. But when I got outside running 5 miles around Lake Nokomis really seemed to be the better option. So there I was with my milk and cookies and started off on my run. I think the discomfort didn't catch up with me until pretty near the end of the run. When I stopped running and started walking, that seemed to alleviate the discomfort.
Lesson 3: For dinner I'm having a ginormous yes, that's a word smoothie. I'm eating it while I'm sitting here typing. Guess what lesson I'm hoping to avoid learning tonight!
17.7.07
Oh, exercise and sleep, and Chipotle
I had Chipotle for lunch today. I'll go back to the regular packing of the lunches tomorrow. When I got a new job I decided I couldn't just go from eating out every day for lunch to never doing it. That's just not realistic. So, since I ran last night, and I knew I'd exercise again today, I allowed a veggie burrito. I think I got lucky because the Ford Parkway Chipotle is always busy, weekdays, weekends, evenings, afternoons, it's packed. Although I was in line behind a woman who was getting like eight burritos. Seriously people, if your order is that big fax or email it in. Everyone else will like you better for it, including the people making your food.
I meant to get up this morning and go to the Y. I even got out of bed. Upon quick and careful consideration I crawled back into bed and decided to go later on. I did. I rode a bike and then did a rowing machine for half an hour, which I think is why my wrists are tingling right now. I put on the carpal tunnel braces and that seemed to do the trick. I'm thinking I should start wearing them again, but I'm really not a fan. I might have to go out and get the carpal tunnel wrist supports for the mouse and keyboard though. It seems wrong to ask work to buy them for me. I really just don't want to bother them. I'll consider it part of my office decoration.
I can't wait to run tomorrow so I can use my Nike+ thing again, although I'm afraid it's going to be too hot to run outside. Can I use this thing on an indoor track? No, seriously, somebody answer that for me.
I meant to get up this morning and go to the Y. I even got out of bed. Upon quick and careful consideration I crawled back into bed and decided to go later on. I did. I rode a bike and then did a rowing machine for half an hour, which I think is why my wrists are tingling right now. I put on the carpal tunnel braces and that seemed to do the trick. I'm thinking I should start wearing them again, but I'm really not a fan. I might have to go out and get the carpal tunnel wrist supports for the mouse and keyboard though. It seems wrong to ask work to buy them for me. I really just don't want to bother them. I'll consider it part of my office decoration.
I can't wait to run tomorrow so I can use my Nike+ thing again, although I'm afraid it's going to be too hot to run outside. Can I use this thing on an indoor track? No, seriously, somebody answer that for me.
16.7.07
I ran today
I haven't been, well, exercising lately. I think my body is finally realized that what I've done to it the past two years in grad school was not normal, and has started to take appropriate action. And by appropriate action I mean going to great lengths to make sure I sleep as much as possible. But I really wanted to exercise today so I ran when I got home. Today also marks my first day using the Nike+ system (thank you Amanda, Kelly, and Eric, and Amanda again for the thing that attaches it to my shoes). I freakin love it. I decided that I would run 4 miles. So I programmed the workout to that distance, which was so simple it could only be done with an mac product, and started. Every mile, a nice voice told me the distance I had already covered, told me my halfway point, and when I had 400 meters to go counted down every hundred meters. Then it told me I was running a 9:51 mile which does not seem right. I feel like I'm much slower than that. Last year's Milk Run, the only other run which is reliably timed I ran 11:45 miles.
I did register for the Milk Run again. I think this time I may be running alone. The last day to register is Friday and none of my friends have registered that I know of so far. Kelly did promise that she would come that day and cheer me on and then we could go to the fair later. I hope she can, that's only two weeks before she gets hitched.
And before I go, I'd like to leave you with this: Researchers from MIT have found the molecule that causes fear when working with lab mice. The researchers then successfully "turned off" the fear molecule. Isn't this something we want functioning pretty much all the time?
I did register for the Milk Run again. I think this time I may be running alone. The last day to register is Friday and none of my friends have registered that I know of so far. Kelly did promise that she would come that day and cheer me on and then we could go to the fair later. I hope she can, that's only two weeks before she gets hitched.
And before I go, I'd like to leave you with this: Researchers from MIT have found the molecule that causes fear when working with lab mice. The researchers then successfully "turned off" the fear molecule. Isn't this something we want functioning pretty much all the time?
Monday Music Mambo
Name five songs that say what you want to tell telemarketers (i.e. songs with angry titles telling them to buzz off!)
1. Tell Me Something Good - Pink (most recently from the "Happy Feet" Soundtrack. Thanks Amanda!)
2. You Make Me Sick - Pink (hmmm, is there a pattern here)
3. You Wreck Me - Tom Petty
4. Kinder Words - Mighty Mighty Bosstones
5. A Change Would Do You Good - Sheryl Crow
1. Tell Me Something Good - Pink (most recently from the "Happy Feet" Soundtrack. Thanks Amanda!)
2. You Make Me Sick - Pink (hmmm, is there a pattern here)
3. You Wreck Me - Tom Petty
4. Kinder Words - Mighty Mighty Bosstones
5. A Change Would Do You Good - Sheryl Crow
14.7.07
Harry Potter
I ordered the final (boo hoo) Harry Potter book today. It is scheduled to be delivered at my house on July 21, the day the book comes out. (Hey, that's next Saturday.) Right now, I'm in the middle of Half Blood Prince, re-reading in anticipation of the final book. Just to refresh me on everything. I've remained amazingly spoiler free.
I'm wildly impressed with people like one friend of mine who's going to start re-reading all the books now, and not read the seventh book until she's done with the first six. Why am I impressed? Her undying faith that she'll be able to not hear who bites it in the final book before she's ready to read it. The world needs more believers like you.
Today was also Kelly's wedding shower. Amanda and I were the only non-family people there. It's always interesting to get a look at other people's families and see how they operate. Really similar to my own actually, well on Dad's side. My Mom's side of the family is so small that I really have no basis to judge anything. Although, from what I remember as as child, we're wildly different from those people, so it's probably ok they're all either dead or we don't see them very much. I have one uncle and one cousin who live in Cincinnati, and Mom has some cousins (of hers) that live in Chicago. I really like the Chicago people, although we don't see them that often. They're really nice. The uncle and cousin are good too. It's just odd because we used to be really close and we've grown apart over the years. That sort of hangs in the room every time we're together.
I'm wildly impressed with people like one friend of mine who's going to start re-reading all the books now, and not read the seventh book until she's done with the first six. Why am I impressed? Her undying faith that she'll be able to not hear who bites it in the final book before she's ready to read it. The world needs more believers like you.
Today was also Kelly's wedding shower. Amanda and I were the only non-family people there. It's always interesting to get a look at other people's families and see how they operate. Really similar to my own actually, well on Dad's side. My Mom's side of the family is so small that I really have no basis to judge anything. Although, from what I remember as as child, we're wildly different from those people, so it's probably ok they're all either dead or we don't see them very much. I have one uncle and one cousin who live in Cincinnati, and Mom has some cousins (of hers) that live in Chicago. I really like the Chicago people, although we don't see them that often. They're really nice. The uncle and cousin are good too. It's just odd because we used to be really close and we've grown apart over the years. That sort of hangs in the room every time we're together.
11.7.07
All the lovely pictures
I went walking after work. I decided that I'd bring my camera along, just to medicate the ADD. I filled up my memory card! I've never done that before, and certainly not in the space of two hours.
Here are some of the lovely flowers I saw:
I never realized how cool pansies are until I moved to Minnesota and realized they grow basically in the snow. If I ever grow flowers, I'll try those because it seems like even I would have a hard time killing them. How do you get them that color?
Purple cone flowers. A favorite flower of mine, I learned about them in Cincinnati. I think you can make a tea out of them that does... something.
My very favorite flower. Those blue fuzzy ones. I don't know how they're called. These were some of the last flowers I saw on my walk.
I have a bunch of pictures of these. Apparently they're really popular. This was my favorite one. Anyone know what they are? It would be embarrassing if they were a weed or something.
Not really a flower, but it looked cool how the little fronds curled at the end.
Grey headed cone flower. Another one I learned about in Cincinnati. These are different from black eyed susans. See how the petals point down and not straight out?
Like I said, I love walking around this lake. I walk and run around this lake whenever I can.
A special present for Amanda and Kelly:
Here are some of the lovely flowers I saw:
I never realized how cool pansies are until I moved to Minnesota and realized they grow basically in the snow. If I ever grow flowers, I'll try those because it seems like even I would have a hard time killing them. How do you get them that color?
Purple cone flowers. A favorite flower of mine, I learned about them in Cincinnati. I think you can make a tea out of them that does... something.
My very favorite flower. Those blue fuzzy ones. I don't know how they're called. These were some of the last flowers I saw on my walk.
I have a bunch of pictures of these. Apparently they're really popular. This was my favorite one. Anyone know what they are? It would be embarrassing if they were a weed or something.
Not really a flower, but it looked cool how the little fronds curled at the end.
Grey headed cone flower. Another one I learned about in Cincinnati. These are different from black eyed susans. See how the petals point down and not straight out?
Like I said, I love walking around this lake. I walk and run around this lake whenever I can.
A special present for Amanda and Kelly:
10.7.07
Ten on Tuesday
Ten of my favorite things in photos:
My parents
Bats
Malawi
My family
My friends
Being done with grad school and having a job I like.
Running
Coffee flavored drinks
My old job
'Nuff Said.
My parents
Bats
Malawi
My family
My friends
Being done with grad school and having a job I like.
Running
Coffee flavored drinks
My old job
'Nuff Said.
Liz starts a new job, Day 2
The lesson for today: Lunch is important. Eat a big lunch, even if it's packed, it should be big. The importance of lunch, and the necessary size of lunch is directly related to the amount of time during the day that is "sitting still" time.
I had a day with lots of "sitting still" time. I think that's how the first week or two will be. And I had a small lunch. It was a rough day. I got home around 4:30 and I felt like I was half dead. I was so tiredit was ridiculous. I fell asleep and didn't wake up 'till 7:00. Oh, yeah, I'll sleep well tonight. I decided the problem was that my lunch was small and crappy.
The problem now isn't that I'll get Chipotle for lunch. The danger is I'll get it on the way home. I didn't get Chipotle on the way home. Instead I went back there after my nap. And I ran into a neighbor and we ate together. That was really nice. And I talked to a friend on the phone who I hadn't had a chance to catch up with in a while.
At this point, I'm very afraid of forgetting the shower on Saturday. I had a moment last Saturday when I thought the shower was that day. At least I finally RSVP'd.
I had a day with lots of "sitting still" time. I think that's how the first week or two will be. And I had a small lunch. It was a rough day. I got home around 4:30 and I felt like I was half dead. I was so tiredit was ridiculous. I fell asleep and didn't wake up 'till 7:00. Oh, yeah, I'll sleep well tonight. I decided the problem was that my lunch was small and crappy.
The problem now isn't that I'll get Chipotle for lunch. The danger is I'll get it on the way home. I didn't get Chipotle on the way home. Instead I went back there after my nap. And I ran into a neighbor and we ate together. That was really nice. And I talked to a friend on the phone who I hadn't had a chance to catch up with in a while.
At this point, I'm very afraid of forgetting the shower on Saturday. I had a moment last Saturday when I thought the shower was that day. At least I finally RSVP'd.
9.7.07
Monday's A B!tch
Random Fun!
1. In your opinion, is orange closer to red or to yellow?
Orange is closer to red.
2. Do you like your vegetables cooked or raw?
Yes. It depends on the veggie. Carrots and green peppers I prefer raw, and pea pods, unless said carrot was cooked in the making of chicken stock. Then and only then is cooked preferable. I like green beans and broccoli cooked. I never like asparagus.
3. What's your favorite type of Pillsbury product?
The doughboy?
4. If you were a noise, what would you be?
That slight scream I make when I almost fall down.
5. What world issue upsets you the most?
I find it troubling that we're using so many of our resources towards a war, or any type of violence. War doesn't bring peace. Someone has to stop fighting first. Only peace brings peace.
1. In your opinion, is orange closer to red or to yellow?
Orange is closer to red.
2. Do you like your vegetables cooked or raw?
Yes. It depends on the veggie. Carrots and green peppers I prefer raw, and pea pods, unless said carrot was cooked in the making of chicken stock. Then and only then is cooked preferable. I like green beans and broccoli cooked. I never like asparagus.
3. What's your favorite type of Pillsbury product?
The doughboy?
4. If you were a noise, what would you be?
That slight scream I make when I almost fall down.
5. What world issue upsets you the most?
I find it troubling that we're using so many of our resources towards a war, or any type of violence. War doesn't bring peace. Someone has to stop fighting first. Only peace brings peace.
Liz starts a new job, Day 1
It's my first official day of "being a grown up" as Jeri calls it. By that she means, I have a real job with real benefits, and so on. My first day of being an adult and I'm exhausted. I never realized how tiring it is to sit still all day. Actually, I probably did know that already.
The most exciting thing happened almost first thing, when my supervisor showed me my office. That's right, my office. I have an office with a door and a window. I feel rich. I'm so excited. I can't wait to decorate. And they're ordering me a computer, which means it will be a new computer. And everyone else has a flat panel so I'm hoping... And everyone there is really nice.
Possibly the most bizarre part of the whole experience was the paper clips. I got to my office and there was a box of office supplies which I thought was nice. There were also a couple of things on the desk, a printer and a little vase. I thought, "oh that's a nice vase, I'll have to get a plant for that". It's filled with paper clips. Full. And then I got to the supplies and there were three more boxes of paper clips. I was so excited about the office and the window that the paper clip thing was more amusing than troubling but seriously, we could melt those down and build a car of something.
And, as a special treat, there's a really neat girl there who's my age and we talked for a while. And her name is Amanda which only makes me like her more. I'm thinking about bringing the Amanda Plant to my office to be by my window. I wonder which Amanda will be more amused, old Amanda or new Amanda.
The most exciting thing happened almost first thing, when my supervisor showed me my office. That's right, my office. I have an office with a door and a window. I feel rich. I'm so excited. I can't wait to decorate. And they're ordering me a computer, which means it will be a new computer. And everyone else has a flat panel so I'm hoping... And everyone there is really nice.
Possibly the most bizarre part of the whole experience was the paper clips. I got to my office and there was a box of office supplies which I thought was nice. There were also a couple of things on the desk, a printer and a little vase. I thought, "oh that's a nice vase, I'll have to get a plant for that". It's filled with paper clips. Full. And then I got to the supplies and there were three more boxes of paper clips. I was so excited about the office and the window that the paper clip thing was more amusing than troubling but seriously, we could melt those down and build a car of something.
And, as a special treat, there's a really neat girl there who's my age and we talked for a while. And her name is Amanda which only makes me like her more. I'm thinking about bringing the Amanda Plant to my office to be by my window. I wonder which Amanda will be more amused, old Amanda or new Amanda.
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