- The bread I tried to make. I failed. It still looks good.
- Freaking love it when the police chief tells Governor Pawlenty to leave health care alone.
- I'd really love this. It drives me bonkers that Minnesota has one of the best health care programs for publicly funded programs and we get much less money from the federal government than states that have totally lousy public programs.
- This may be why I have such a hard time concentrating on a football game.
- Why you should never make a bet about doing something on national television. Too funny.
- This is what Africa looks like to me.
- Want to see something entertaining? Turn on the elevation feature on the map. All those ups and downs represent a change in like 8 feet of elevation. The one really big spike is the bridge over Cedar Ave.
- How bacon is meant to be enjoyed? Just ewww.
- Planning on traveling? Find out how the airlines will be screwing you with extra baggage/food/convenience fees they've made up recently. I actually just had a fairly ok experience on Delta. Even though our plane had mechanical problems and I got back a day late. I got basically a free ticket out of it. I think I'll use it for Texas.
21.1.10
Linkfest: Long overdue
20.1.10
Photo-fest
My attempt at making bread. The verdict: Fail. I think the flour went bad in the freezer.
Satsuma mandarins: best food ever.
When I was home, I got a hair cut. It was sort of a spur of the moment decision.
Quilts at home. Mom has more handmade quilts than anyone I know. And I'm including my pooky bear in this, although she's definitely the best competition.
A painting in my parent's living room. It's the signature of my dad's art teacher. He was like an extra grandpa to me.
Sunrise on the airplane.
Sometimes, I don't know what to photograph. I use whatever is lying around and try to find an interesting angle.
Satsuma mandarins: best food ever.
When I was home, I got a hair cut. It was sort of a spur of the moment decision.
Quilts at home. Mom has more handmade quilts than anyone I know. And I'm including my pooky bear in this, although she's definitely the best competition.
A painting in my parent's living room. It's the signature of my dad's art teacher. He was like an extra grandpa to me.
Sunrise on the airplane.
Sometimes, I don't know what to photograph. I use whatever is lying around and try to find an interesting angle.
15.1.10
As my eyes start to close...
It's been a busy couple of days.
Yesterday I worked. All day. Also, I attempted to bake bread. It did not go well. I had some shape issues. I also think that the flour went bad in the freezer. Can that happen? The bread tasted funny.
Today was a blue jean day at work meaning I hid in my office and did paperwork all day. I stay away from people when I'm not as dressed up as normal.
I came home and ran at my favorite running spot. ::Side note - YO! City of Minneapolis - it's time to plow the sidewalks again. This slush hurts my body when I'm running through it.:: I was less puke-ish after this run than I have been after the previous two this week.
A friend of mine had tickets to see The Wizard of Oz - Soundtrack provided by the Minnesota Symphony which was very cool. I realize I hadn't actually watched the movie since I was a little kid. There's a lot in there for a five year old to miss.
Now I'm getting ready for bed. My camera is already put away or I'd show you pictures of my bread failure and other things I've been doing recently.
Yesterday I worked. All day. Also, I attempted to bake bread. It did not go well. I had some shape issues. I also think that the flour went bad in the freezer. Can that happen? The bread tasted funny.
Today was a blue jean day at work meaning I hid in my office and did paperwork all day. I stay away from people when I'm not as dressed up as normal.
I came home and ran at my favorite running spot. ::Side note - YO! City of Minneapolis - it's time to plow the sidewalks again. This slush hurts my body when I'm running through it.:: I was less puke-ish after this run than I have been after the previous two this week.
A friend of mine had tickets to see The Wizard of Oz - Soundtrack provided by the Minnesota Symphony which was very cool. I realize I hadn't actually watched the movie since I was a little kid. There's a lot in there for a five year old to miss.
Now I'm getting ready for bed. My camera is already put away or I'd show you pictures of my bread failure and other things I've been doing recently.
13.1.10
The Cleaning Monster...
I should run in the evening more often. It makes me very productive. After the run today, the cleaning monster came out. Although, sadly, all the labels in my refrigerator do not face forward, or in any uniform direction. Neither do the labels in my broom closet. (Irmghard told me at Christmas that she just does this naturally when she puts things away. Funny.)
To give you an idea of my, ahem, standards, I finally folded the laundry that I washed last Friday after I was sick. Yes. Today is Wednesday.
Now all clean clothes are put away, semi-clean clothes are hanging on my door, and dirty clothes are where they belong. My bed's made but that's probably the least impressive thing on the list.
The kitchen is also clean which has been a long time coming. Dishes just seem to multiply. I also have a layer of crud that cannot be removed from the floor despite my best efforts. What should I do? It cruds up right below the stove, around the dishwasher and under the counters where I stand to chop and prepare food. Blergh!
Happily, the place has also been vacuumed. I even got out the little hose tool today and hosed under the front of the couch. It's clear I hadn't vacuumed in a while (or I'm really sloppy when I'm sick) because there was quite a bit of detritus there.
Tomorrow on my list is taking stuff to good will and taking plastic bags to the co-op for recycling.
Right now I'm rocking out to Sarah McLachlan. I used to love her music. It was the only thing Alicia and I could agree on coming home Columbus Ohio at 4:00am. Then, I don't know, I just got over it. But it's great to hear again. My current favorites are "Mary" "Good Enough" and "Ice" from Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, and "Angel" from Surfacing.
To give you an idea of my, ahem, standards, I finally folded the laundry that I washed last Friday after I was sick. Yes. Today is Wednesday.
Now all clean clothes are put away, semi-clean clothes are hanging on my door, and dirty clothes are where they belong. My bed's made but that's probably the least impressive thing on the list.
The kitchen is also clean which has been a long time coming. Dishes just seem to multiply. I also have a layer of crud that cannot be removed from the floor despite my best efforts. What should I do? It cruds up right below the stove, around the dishwasher and under the counters where I stand to chop and prepare food. Blergh!
Happily, the place has also been vacuumed. I even got out the little hose tool today and hosed under the front of the couch. It's clear I hadn't vacuumed in a while (or I'm really sloppy when I'm sick) because there was quite a bit of detritus there.
Tomorrow on my list is taking stuff to good will and taking plastic bags to the co-op for recycling.
Right now I'm rocking out to Sarah McLachlan. I used to love her music. It was the only thing Alicia and I could agree on coming home Columbus Ohio at 4:00am. Then, I don't know, I just got over it. But it's great to hear again. My current favorites are "Mary" "Good Enough" and "Ice" from Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, and "Angel" from Surfacing.
RUN! And then look at these pictures!
I repeat what I said Sunday about running outside in the cold and then feeling ishy in the tummy.
On Monday I celebrated left-over brussel sprouts from Christmas dinner with Amanda and my Pooky Bear. There was no exercise.
Tuesday, similarly, there was no exercise. Instead I went to work early, got home at 4pm and took a long nap. This is what time I woke up from that nap. I was awake for an hour or two before I threw in the towel and went to bed for the night.
Today, I slept in. And went to work late. And got coffee on the way (and by coffee I mean a $4 latte with tons of milk) since I don't have any other food to eat for breakfast.
In a surprise move, I went for a run after work. I've tried to describe YakTrax before. In Minnesota right now, they're a necessity and I love them. I also use them as a motivator to get outside while the snowpack is still reliable. My knees have let me know that two days of running outside on YakTrax is all that's allowed in a week. I'm not injured, they're just letting me know. Also, my Nike+ system is ridiculously inaccurate with these little contraptions strapped to my feet. Nike+ told me I'd run 7.07 miles at a 7:47 pace today. I actually ran 4.2 miles at a very much slower pace.
On Monday I celebrated left-over brussel sprouts from Christmas dinner with Amanda and my Pooky Bear. There was no exercise.
Tuesday, similarly, there was no exercise. Instead I went to work early, got home at 4pm and took a long nap. This is what time I woke up from that nap. I was awake for an hour or two before I threw in the towel and went to bed for the night.
Today, I slept in. And went to work late. And got coffee on the way (and by coffee I mean a $4 latte with tons of milk) since I don't have any other food to eat for breakfast.
In a surprise move, I went for a run after work. I've tried to describe YakTrax before. In Minnesota right now, they're a necessity and I love them. I also use them as a motivator to get outside while the snowpack is still reliable. My knees have let me know that two days of running outside on YakTrax is all that's allowed in a week. I'm not injured, they're just letting me know. Also, my Nike+ system is ridiculously inaccurate with these little contraptions strapped to my feet. Nike+ told me I'd run 7.07 miles at a 7:47 pace today. I actually ran 4.2 miles at a very much slower pace.
10.1.10
Weekend Photos Rounup and Linkfest
Saturday - I went to Target after not seeing people, which I think I've already mentioned was a mistake. They are selling swim suits at Target. There's a -4* wind chill. It's Minnesota. In January. I didn't do much else on Saturday. I thought about exercise but I decided against the idea. For those who are interested, I also used my sick time to re-watch several Star Trek related things. I watched some of my favorite episodes of The Next Generation, which is the cast and stories I grew up on, learned about Deep Space 9 which is interesting so far, and watched several of my favorite movies included "the one with the whales" (comic genius); this one, and the last one with the cast from TNG. I am not ashamed to love Star Trek.
This is the other thing I did on Saturday:
Sunday - I was much more productive after getting out of bed at 1030. (I know, you'd think I'd be tired of sleeping after doing almost nothing else for the last 3 days.) This morning I watched an episode of DS 9, then went for a run at my running spot, 3.1 miles today. The run was rough, I think because I didn't exercise most of the week and it was cold out. I tried to explain to Kelly and Amanda and Eric how much air I have to suck down when I go for a run in the winter. It's like all I suck in is cold and not actual oxygen so I have to double and triple my efforts. All I breath in fills my insides, not just my lungs. I can't explain it. All the other winter runners know of what I speak. After I'm done I don't really want food because I've sucked down too much air.
I was going to go to the gym but then I discovered the UnderArmour running pants Mom got me for Christmas. I decided they deserved to be worn. And they are great.
Here's some of my running gear. Big thanks to Mark for the gloves and to Amanda, Kelly and Eric for the Nike+ system.
After the run I went to Kowalski's which happily had Brussels Sprouts. I headed home and roasted said sprouts while I warmed up from running around the lake.
Then I took my dish and Christmas presents (which were really just cards for the magazine subscriptions that are the actual gift) over to my Pooky Bear's house. Amanda was there too and we did our usual Christmas-in-January. Kelly made shrimp scampi and Amanda made a Chocolate Mousse (Kelly said to tell Eric it was pudding so he'd eat it). All of them were YUM.
Sadly my stomach is trying to kill me right now, it was trying to kill me before other people cooked me food too. I'm trying to decide if it's goat cheese, eggs, the soda I had after I ran (not my brightest move), the fruit juice (I haven't actually had much at all today) or something else. It's the opposite of fun but I'm sure it'll work itself out by tomorrow.
While I wasn't watching Star Trek, I did have time to play on the internet.
This is the other thing I did on Saturday:
Sunday - I was much more productive after getting out of bed at 1030. (I know, you'd think I'd be tired of sleeping after doing almost nothing else for the last 3 days.) This morning I watched an episode of DS 9, then went for a run at my running spot, 3.1 miles today. The run was rough, I think because I didn't exercise most of the week and it was cold out. I tried to explain to Kelly and Amanda and Eric how much air I have to suck down when I go for a run in the winter. It's like all I suck in is cold and not actual oxygen so I have to double and triple my efforts. All I breath in fills my insides, not just my lungs. I can't explain it. All the other winter runners know of what I speak. After I'm done I don't really want food because I've sucked down too much air.
I was going to go to the gym but then I discovered the UnderArmour running pants Mom got me for Christmas. I decided they deserved to be worn. And they are great.
Here's some of my running gear. Big thanks to Mark for the gloves and to Amanda, Kelly and Eric for the Nike+ system.
After the run I went to Kowalski's which happily had Brussels Sprouts. I headed home and roasted said sprouts while I warmed up from running around the lake.
Then I took my dish and Christmas presents (which were really just cards for the magazine subscriptions that are the actual gift) over to my Pooky Bear's house. Amanda was there too and we did our usual Christmas-in-January. Kelly made shrimp scampi and Amanda made a Chocolate Mousse (Kelly said to tell Eric it was pudding so he'd eat it). All of them were YUM.
Sadly my stomach is trying to kill me right now, it was trying to kill me before other people cooked me food too. I'm trying to decide if it's goat cheese, eggs, the soda I had after I ran (not my brightest move), the fruit juice (I haven't actually had much at all today) or something else. It's the opposite of fun but I'm sure it'll work itself out by tomorrow.
While I wasn't watching Star Trek, I did have time to play on the internet.
- They had something like this at the Heineken Brewery. Every time we put a beer glass on the table it would make a "coaster" with this technology.
- Digg called this picture "If Jesus Had a Cat" which seems pretty accurate (and hopefully not offensive)
- At one time, there were a ton of stories about people registering their pets at one or other of the online diploma mills just to prove a point but this is just ridiculous. Picturing a fairly uptight Jury Commissioner office.
- The Census is Coming and it's a crime to not return it. (Seriously.) Bonus points to the federal government for finally counting same sex couples.
- Now I don't have to wait for the Taste of Minnesota for funnel cake. Sorry. I think this is disgusting. (Although I have no such compunctions about funnel cake from the Taste of Minnesota or the State Fair.)
- Hey, speaking of Star Trek...
- If it wasn't around 100 years ago, it's probably not food. Also gross. And why in the world would you want to make fruit taste like anything else?
- I just thought this was an interesting article all about the options in web browsing. (Hey - if you're reading this you're on the internet so it does apply.)
- One way to break down 2009. Most of them do look entertaining. Legos. I'm just saying...
- Who actually got the stimulus money? Nice state by state breakdown. (I think this one is actually fairly apolitical too.)
- And finally, I've always found this to be true.
9.1.10
Recovery - an update
- My love for William H. Macy knows no bounds. I am not ashamed. When I got back from Target Air Force One was on. (William H Macy was in that?) Just reminded me how much I love him.
- Target on Saturday afternoon is never a good idea.
- After two days of not seeing anyone, Target is not the worst community reintegration idea possible. I lost track of how many panic attacks I had. I actually haven't had a panic attack in a store in a long time (largely owing to never going to Blockbuster). Target was just nuts.
- I lack the attention span to watch a football game from start to finish. Perhaps I am too emotionally invested. WHO DEY!
- Cleaning up after being sick totally blows, but it feels good when it's done. (Not that kind of cleaning up.) I just haven't emptied the dishwasher or cleaned a dish or put my clean clothes away. The good news is I do have clean clothes.
- Watching football is better while writing this blog entry. Maybe I've found a better way to split my attention. (Oh, shoot, one of the good guys just got hurt. That's like all the wide receivers we have.)
- I miss people. I forget how to be around them when I'm, you know, not.
- Hey, the Olympics are coming.
- A ton of you are running The Securian Frozen Half for which
I think you're crazy*ahem* I can't wait to come out and cheer! I have no idea how you managed to train between recovering from a fall marathon and crappy winter weather. I'm impressed by your discipline and hoping it rubs off. - I'm actually thinking about a visit to my favorite running spot tomorrow for a little warm up run. It'd be nice to get my body moving again. Let it remember how good it feels to move. It's YAK TRAX weather too.
- This is what I imagine Amanda's job is like, if you can recognize that is funny as he!! and not sexual harassment.
8.1.10
Slowly, slowly starting to feel better
Wednesday was a normal. I had a bacon and egg sandwich for breakfast. I had a bunch of meetings at work. After work I made lentil soup (which I still haven't sampled yet) and called it a night.
By Thursday morning, I thought I was going to die. (Thanks sinuses!) I took the day off work and spent 95% of it on the couch. I tried some medicine, some hot pack on my face and some good old fashioned sleep. It's really amazing that I had sinus pain (and I mean pain) the entire day and didn't wind up with a migraine. One of my fishes died on Thursday.
Really the most appropriate picture for the day is the dead fish lying in the toilet but even I have limits. This is one of the still-living fishes. I have no idea what his name is, although Steve or Amanda could probably tell you. (They wouldn't tell you the same thing though.)
Speaking of migraines, I woke up Friday morning with a big one. I slept most of today too. I think the headache is finally starting to let up. I have to grab my head when I sneeze (thanks again sinuses) but other than that I'm good right now. So good that I went out to clean the snow off my car in case I ever leave my house again. I thought it would be really snow-ice covered but actually it just took a minute or two to brush off. After that, I had to pick between Target and Laundry because I need both clean clothes and food. Ultimately I decided clean clothing was more important. I still have some provisions here, I'll last for one more day and it'll be warmer then.
On the way back inside I picked up the mail, including a nice packet from the Board of Social Work.
I'd really like to show you a picture of my new social worker license I received in the mail today. Alas, it has my full name and my license number on the certificate so I think I'll keep that image private. But I can now write LISW after my name, no more LGSW for me. For everyone worried about my health, I've already filled this thing up twice today, I'm trying to keep as hydrated as possible.
By Thursday morning, I thought I was going to die. (Thanks sinuses!) I took the day off work and spent 95% of it on the couch. I tried some medicine, some hot pack on my face and some good old fashioned sleep. It's really amazing that I had sinus pain (and I mean pain) the entire day and didn't wind up with a migraine. One of my fishes died on Thursday.
Really the most appropriate picture for the day is the dead fish lying in the toilet but even I have limits. This is one of the still-living fishes. I have no idea what his name is, although Steve or Amanda could probably tell you. (They wouldn't tell you the same thing though.)Speaking of migraines, I woke up Friday morning with a big one. I slept most of today too. I think the headache is finally starting to let up. I have to grab my head when I sneeze (thanks again sinuses) but other than that I'm good right now. So good that I went out to clean the snow off my car in case I ever leave my house again. I thought it would be really snow-ice covered but actually it just took a minute or two to brush off. After that, I had to pick between Target and Laundry because I need both clean clothes and food. Ultimately I decided clean clothing was more important. I still have some provisions here, I'll last for one more day and it'll be warmer then.
On the way back inside I picked up the mail, including a nice packet from the Board of Social Work.
I'd really like to show you a picture of my new social worker license I received in the mail today. Alas, it has my full name and my license number on the certificate so I think I'll keep that image private. But I can now write LISW after my name, no more LGSW for me. For everyone worried about my health, I've already filled this thing up twice today, I'm trying to keep as hydrated as possible.
5.1.10
A Photo per day?
I tried doing Project 365 a while ago and it came to an abrupt halt when a water bottle spilled in the bag where I was carrying my camera and I decided it was best not to carry the thing around with me anymore. But it was fun to look back at those posts when I was taking pictures every day. I really wonder what the heck happened that day but it's nice to see myself smiling like that.
I decided I'd give it a go again. For the most part I've taken macro photos of things in my house which can be interesting. If nothing else it's photos for everyone to look at while they're here.
That's an iPod I drop at least once a day *ahem* a well-loved iPod. I use it every time I work out. Remember I've been running for a long time. That's a lot of love.
This is how much money social workers earn.
Close-up of a painting from Dad.
I decided I'd give it a go again. For the most part I've taken macro photos of things in my house which can be interesting. If nothing else it's photos for everyone to look at while they're here.
A Christmas present - that's Jenny and I as penguins. Go here to see Jenny knocking me down and me getting her right back.
That's 
This is how much money social workers earn.
Close-up of a painting from Dad.3.1.10
Long Weekend Roundup and a Sunday Linkfest
Yesterday I think the temperature did not get above zero (that's 0* Fahrenheit for my international friends). I did not leave my building. I left my condo only long enough to check the mail in the hallway. Brrrr. I mostly laid around and read. I did a small bit of cleaning but not enough to be classified as productive.
Today has been much more productive. I woke up and finished organizing my iTunes Library. (That's like a monthly task, especially the album artwork) and I had a mild health scare (thanks to Google for helping me realize it was nothing and I'm oblivious).
Once I figured out I wasn't going to die I packed up and went to the gym. The gym in January is really quite an accomplishment for me. I can't stand the gym in January because of all the new members who fill it up. I particularly love February, March and April when the new members stop coming. I had a fairly positive attitude at the gym today which helped immensely. I went during the Vikings Game (there's a wall of flat screen tv's there, it's not like I missed anything) plus it was too cold for so many people to come out. I actually managed 5 miles on the elliptical. My legs felt like rubber afterward but the recovery was short. But dude, it's January and I was able to reserve the elliptical.
I went to the pet store to pick up filters for my fishes who badly needed them. (Sorry guys.) Then I stopped at Chipotle and gotenough to feed a small horse a steak burrito. I think I may need to establish a minimum running distance before Chipotle is allowed. I'm not sure 5 miles is enough but whatever.
Now I'm sitting here watching football Go Vikings! For today only: Go Cowboys too!. I can't believe I have to work 5 days in a row starting tomorrow. How's that go again?
While I'm trying to figure that out, here's some things for you to ponder:
Today has been much more productive. I woke up and finished organizing my iTunes Library. (That's like a monthly task, especially the album artwork) and I had a mild health scare (thanks to Google for helping me realize it was nothing and I'm oblivious).
Once I figured out I wasn't going to die I packed up and went to the gym. The gym in January is really quite an accomplishment for me. I can't stand the gym in January because of all the new members who fill it up. I particularly love February, March and April when the new members stop coming. I had a fairly positive attitude at the gym today which helped immensely. I went during the Vikings Game (there's a wall of flat screen tv's there, it's not like I missed anything) plus it was too cold for so many people to come out. I actually managed 5 miles on the elliptical. My legs felt like rubber afterward but the recovery was short. But dude, it's January and I was able to reserve the elliptical.
I went to the pet store to pick up filters for my fishes who badly needed them. (Sorry guys.) Then I stopped at Chipotle and got
Now I'm sitting here watching football Go Vikings! For today only: Go Cowboys too!. I can't believe I have to work 5 days in a row starting tomorrow. How's that go again?
While I'm trying to figure that out, here's some things for you to ponder:
- What do parents in North Pole, Alaska tell their kids when they ask where Santa Claus lives? There's no link with this one. I'm just curious.
- Are trains equipped with snow plow blades?
- Does this mean we need to give a salary and benefits to the dolphins at Sea World?. I go to be in the water with a pink dolphin while I was on Semester at Sea. Very cool.
- Ingenious or ridiculous? Only a true nerd (brilliant with no common sense) would ever think of "running past the screen" to try out the graphic.
- Aint that the truth?
- It's 2010. Where's my rocket pack? I'm gonna need it so I can go live in a cave on the moon and be the social worker for all the colonists.
- What's your favorite iPhone app? I'm only linking to this because of the last two. I think the plant a tree idea is cool.
- I feel a sharp pain every time someone says "it's the end of the decade". No, THAT'S NEXT YEAR!!! But here's what we did for the past 10 years that were spread over two different decades and two different millennia.
- Finally, Ice Diving: The Follow Up. First what's the wrong way to get into a lake? You just walk in? Seriously? And how warm is Lake Michigan? It's pretty big and I can already hear Amanda telling me how water holds more heat than air so it'll take longer to cool off. If it wasn't 33* I don't want to hear about it.
Here's how to do it the right way. And the right way again. I giggle every time I hear the little girl on the video say "it was the worst experience of my life". You know she'll be back next year.
1.1.10
2009: Liz's year in review
For the past couple of years, I've written a year in review post, always after we are completely done with the former year. (Year-in-review posts at the beginning of like, December, make me crazy. Dude, we're not done yet.) See how 2007 and 2008 treated me.
January started off pretty much like this January, with Amanda and I jumping in a lake for no particular reason. 2009 was a much warmer jump than 2010. It was in the 20's that day.
February (that's a weird month to spell) was a mix of continuing to reel from the bed bug infestation and an awesome time in Florida spentdrinking with the aunties hanging out with my family and running a lot. I needed Florida in February because we had record setting cold in Minnesota in January of that year.
March saw the beginning of fund raising for Bolder Options and a recognition that 2009 was, indeed, going to be the year I ran a marathon. Incidentally, it's not too late to give. Bolder Options is a great mentoring program in the Twin Cities. You can show your support by donating here. Big Thank You! to everyone who supported Bolder in 2009.
April was the month I became a pet owner. How long do guppies live? (Ha, I just thought, "until they jump into Lake Minnetonka through a hole in the ice and become minnows". It's obvious what I was doing today.) One of the original guppies is still alive. One died and I've added two more since then. None of them actually have names from me but both Steve and Amanda have given them names they try to teach me.
May Jim Borgman made an allusion to my high school English class that everyone in AP English at Walnut Hills can recognize. The real accomplishment of May was running a half marathon.
June is the month I get a year better every year. This June Sarah came for a visit. I think she'll be back.
July and all summer really, was heavy duty marathon training. It was in July that I ran my first fifteen miler while I was at home in Cincinnati. I still remember thinking I was never going to get off that path. Three laps is really a long time.
August was Ragnar Relay time. I was so sick. I just remember not being able to keep any food in my body and drinking water and sports drink non-stop. And I remember Beth and Robin and other other Beth and small children waiting at the top of Hidden Falls Drive for me and cheering. In 2010 I'd like to run Ragnar and be healthy at the same time.
September was the month I did my 20 miler in preparation for the marathon, but the real event was the Bolder Dash which Dad actually came to town to watch.
October was marathon month. First, the running mates ran the Twin Cities marathon and Jenna, Beth and I biked all over the cities to cheer for them. Then the running mates helped me train for my marathon by telling me about some, um, interesting plumbing issues anyone can have. Then I flew to Amsterdam and ran the Amsterdam Marathon. And stayed sober long enough to tell the tale.
November gave me the worst nosebleed I've ever had, and the most expensive. I just got another bill in the mail yesterday. (This is why we need healthcare reform.) It's also the month of Thanksgiving: my favorite holiday.
December brought me back onto the race track in a fun but completely unspectacular way. Christmas was one of the best visits I've had with my parents. I got them very little actual stuff and more gift certificates that wont accumulate in the house (I hope). I got Mom a gift certificate to Kiva and rugs from Ikea, Dad a magazine subscription and The Vegetable Bible for cooking. I got them both a gift certificate to The Green Dog Cafe because they like to go out to eat and I like that it's local food. (I can still hear my cousin saying "We only drink the milk if we know the cow".) And then I began thinking about how to ring in the new year.
January started off pretty much like this January, with Amanda and I jumping in a lake for no particular reason. 2009 was a much warmer jump than 2010. It was in the 20's that day.
February (that's a weird month to spell) was a mix of continuing to reel from the bed bug infestation and an awesome time in Florida spent
March saw the beginning of fund raising for Bolder Options and a recognition that 2009 was, indeed, going to be the year I ran a marathon. Incidentally, it's not too late to give. Bolder Options is a great mentoring program in the Twin Cities. You can show your support by donating here. Big Thank You! to everyone who supported Bolder in 2009.
April was the month I became a pet owner. How long do guppies live? (Ha, I just thought, "until they jump into Lake Minnetonka through a hole in the ice and become minnows". It's obvious what I was doing today.) One of the original guppies is still alive. One died and I've added two more since then. None of them actually have names from me but both Steve and Amanda have given them names they try to teach me.
May Jim Borgman made an allusion to my high school English class that everyone in AP English at Walnut Hills can recognize. The real accomplishment of May was running a half marathon.
June is the month I get a year better every year. This June Sarah came for a visit. I think she'll be back.
July and all summer really, was heavy duty marathon training. It was in July that I ran my first fifteen miler while I was at home in Cincinnati. I still remember thinking I was never going to get off that path. Three laps is really a long time.
August was Ragnar Relay time. I was so sick. I just remember not being able to keep any food in my body and drinking water and sports drink non-stop. And I remember Beth and Robin and other other Beth and small children waiting at the top of Hidden Falls Drive for me and cheering. In 2010 I'd like to run Ragnar and be healthy at the same time.
September was the month I did my 20 miler in preparation for the marathon, but the real event was the Bolder Dash which Dad actually came to town to watch.
October was marathon month. First, the running mates ran the Twin Cities marathon and Jenna, Beth and I biked all over the cities to cheer for them. Then the running mates helped me train for my marathon by telling me about some, um, interesting plumbing issues anyone can have. Then I flew to Amsterdam and ran the Amsterdam Marathon. And stayed sober long enough to tell the tale.
November gave me the worst nosebleed I've ever had, and the most expensive. I just got another bill in the mail yesterday. (This is why we need healthcare reform.) It's also the month of Thanksgiving: my favorite holiday.
December brought me back onto the race track in a fun but completely unspectacular way. Christmas was one of the best visits I've had with my parents. I got them very little actual stuff and more gift certificates that wont accumulate in the house (I hope). I got Mom a gift certificate to Kiva and rugs from Ikea, Dad a magazine subscription and The Vegetable Bible for cooking. I got them both a gift certificate to The Green Dog Cafe because they like to go out to eat and I like that it's local food. (I can still hear my cousin saying "We only drink the milk if we know the cow".) And then I began thinking about how to ring in the new year.
Ice Diving - I want to go again!
I can't believe I have to wait all year to do that again. I am now a Walleye.
I promised Jenna that no pictures of the Ice Diving incident would wind up on Facebook so I won't be including them in this post (because my blog automatically posts to Facebook).
Amanda and Jenna and I hauled ourselves all the way out to Excelsior (I know, it's just south of Canada and right next to the Moon) where a rectangular hole was cut into the ice on Lake Minnetonka. Beth met us there and watched the Ice Divers for a time before picking her daughter up in Plymouth. (The city limits of Plymouth actually share a border with Canada.)
When we got to the event center Jenna began to understand the enormity of this undertaking. It was packed. We hung around for a little while and talked together with Beth. Then we got in line and headed downstairs into the queue of divers. They had a warming tent this year. (I think they learned from the ridiculous experience of having 900 people packed in one room last year.) We actually were so late in the queue that we wound up not having to use the overflow space in the warming tent, we just waited inside and then went straight to the dock. Amanda and I jumped together and Jenna wound up jumping with a girl who was alone and needed a partner. Then we regrouped inside andcompared notes about when specifically in the jump our brains had turned off *ahem* compared experiences.
I think the funniest part of the day was the look on Jenna's face when I said, "you want your shoes to be on tight enough they don't come off when you're swimming, but loose enough that you can get them off if your shoelaces freeze". I didn't tell her about my contacts freezing last year until after the dive.
What was different from the first year:
I promised Jenna that no pictures of the Ice Diving incident would wind up on Facebook so I won't be including them in this post (because my blog automatically posts to Facebook).
Amanda and Jenna and I hauled ourselves all the way out to Excelsior (I know, it's just south of Canada and right next to the Moon) where a rectangular hole was cut into the ice on Lake Minnetonka. Beth met us there and watched the Ice Divers for a time before picking her daughter up in Plymouth. (The city limits of Plymouth actually share a border with Canada.)
When we got to the event center Jenna began to understand the enormity of this undertaking. It was packed. We hung around for a little while and talked together with Beth. Then we got in line and headed downstairs into the queue of divers. They had a warming tent this year. (I think they learned from the ridiculous experience of having 900 people packed in one room last year.) We actually were so late in the queue that we wound up not having to use the overflow space in the warming tent, we just waited inside and then went straight to the dock. Amanda and I jumped together and Jenna wound up jumping with a girl who was alone and needed a partner. Then we regrouped inside and
I think the funniest part of the day was the look on Jenna's face when I said, "you want your shoes to be on tight enough they don't come off when you're swimming, but loose enough that you can get them off if your shoelaces freeze". I didn't tell her about my contacts freezing last year until after the dive.
What was different from the first year:
- Amanda was not physically up to par - oh wait, that's the same as last year. Last year Amanda was starting to get Influenza the day we jumped. This year, she had a residual foot injury. I was actually kind of surprised she jumped. We decided I'm a very bad friend for wanting her to jump so badly.
- Another diver, plus a spectator. With Amanda's foot injury I thought I was going to be diving alone so I recruited a running partner to jump with me. At the last minute Amanda couldn't stand being left out so we were all three going to jump together. I thought a second running partner and her son were going to jump as well. That running partner's husband "vetoed" the idea, but really just gave her a nice excuse to stay warm and dry. (We'll get her next year when she reads about all the fun we had.)
- No contact lenses. Last year I had a little issue with my contact lenses freezing as I was getting out of the water. No, seriously. I took them out last night and wore glasses to the lake. (Another reason there will be no pictures.) My eyes did not freeze this year.
- Robe, not towel. I learned from last year that a big fluffy robe is the most desirable attire for being wet in sub-freezing temperatures. A towel is simply inadequate.
- Swim cap, which Amanda called cheating. When I was thinking about this and going through all the steps in my mind the part I was dreading the most was walking back to the car with wet hair. (I have a lot of hair on my head and it takes forever to dry.) So I wore a swim cap. Amanda called it cheating. Her hair was dry by the time we ate and left.
- I swear the water was deeper than last year. Last year I remember being able to see the bottom before we jumped in and I remember being able to push off the bottom. I don't think I pushed off the bottom this year to get under the rope but it's hard to say. Landing in the water is not a part of the day I remember very well.
- Similarly, I swear the hole in the ice was skinnier, probably because the ice was so thick, too much work to cut it any wider. The whole looked skinnier in width, definitely not a shorter length to swim.
- I swam all the way across this year, no firefighter dragging me. That was actually my goal for the dive: get across on my own power. I needed help getting up and off the ladder onto the dock, but I did get all the way through the water on my own. (So glad I spent all those years on the swim team.) Amanda, in an hilarious move, actually told the firefighter to get ready for her before we even jumped in the water.
- I waited outside, wet, to see Jenna jump in with the partner she met in line, Torie. They were about ten pairs behind me so I had time to put on my robe. My feet kind of hurt (from being wet and cold) but what really hurt while I waited was my hands. They were so cold. I had each one wrapped in it's own blanket. I kept thinking, "I'm gonna loose all my fingers and Gordon's gonna be right about this being a bad idea." Actually my fingers stopped hurting long before my feet thawed and stopped hurting. I'm afraid walking around in shoes with numb toes is more likely to make me loose a toenail than marathon training.
- Much better crowd control this year, made for a much more pleasant line waiting experience. Last year Amanda and I almost got crushed and we waited in line for at least 90 minutes. And didn't eat breakfast. This year we waited for about ten or twenty minutes in line (inside), jumped, and ate. I ate Jenna's bacon. The potatoes and the coffee were the best.
- It was much colder than last year, leading Amanda to suggest we have a minimum jumping temperature. I think 3* may be the magic number. ("Three's my lucky number.)
30.12.09
I need a jumping buddy
I'm starting off by saying that my ice plunge partner was in a car accident last week and has a mean doctor with NO sense of humor *ahem* hurt her foot and is unable to participate. Having seen the weather report, some people would say I lucked out because it is going to be cold on Friday. I'll probably still go as long as I can find a plunge partner. We're not allowed to do this alone. My pooky bear is the perfect, although very unlikely, candidate for new jumper. I'd jump with any of the running friends but they've all sworn off actual jumping in favor of spectating. A couple of the runners have kids (read: boys) who are old enough to jump so the kids are also candidates. (Do you think my running mates would mind if I introduced ice plunging to their kids new year's traditions?) We'll see who my partner is when I wind up taking the plunge.
In other news, I caught up on some reading today, recovering from the long drive and staying out of the snow. What'd I see?
In other news, I caught up on some reading today, recovering from the long drive and staying out of the snow. What'd I see?
- The next book I read? Maybe. Depends on if I can find audio versions.
- Troubling news for many Minnesotans. (Minnesota has one of the biggest Hmong communities in the US.)
- Amanda, this is for you while your foot gets better. Just in case you do ever take a physics class.
- Speaking of running this website has great potential but is totally unhelpful for cold weather running. How does it not tell me to wear long johns at -5*? Maybe it'll be more helpful at deciding which temperature to switch from shorts to pants.
- From the grammar police, 10 mistakes I am too perfect to make. My favorite is the cartoon illustration of how to choose "affect" and "effect". From now on I need a verb I will choose "eat".
- I had a moment of thinking I was in the top 50% of earners before realizing a social worker will never go in that bracket.
- Speaking of student loans, how expensive is college? and won't driving a Ferrari get you just as far in life?
- While at home Mark, Irmghard, myself and several others had a discussion about food, why subsidizing corn is about the dumbest thing in the world (sorry, small soapbox), and my favorite comment: "If we don't know the cow, we don't drink the milk". Now, Mark is a chef and works in a food bank that works with several co-ops in the area so has can actually go meet his cows and get raw milk from them. (Ha, laughing at the visual of Mark milking a cow). For those of us who can't go meet a cow and take it on a date, there's help.
27.12.09
Vacation: Exhausted
I don't know how some of you people come to town and just go go go all day and all night. I'm ready for a nap.
After the family party Grandma came to our house. Grandma was almost as sick as Dad was when I arrived on Tuesday. She tried to eat broth but her throat hurt really bad. (If I don't go home with the plague it will be a miracle.) So we put her to bed.
Mom and I headed over to the phone store which was completely empty. (I know, what the heck?) My phone died on Thursday, like can't turn it on, nobody home, nothing makes it better, died. Luckily this one is under warranty. This is the second of the same phone to die in about a year of my owning it. (I don't get you people who can have phones that last three and four years. What's your magic?) So they're sending the replacement phone to my house. But I had to buy a new phone so I can have a means of communication on the drive from where I am to my house. Once I receive the replacement phone I can take the purchased phone back for a refund. Is anyone else dizzy?
After shopping we cleaned up (some) from the Christmas party. Although the second we sat down we both about passed out.
This morning I helped Dad pack Grandma's stuff to go home. We only forgot one bag and luckily that was Christmas presents and not clothes or money. Dad went off to Portsmouth with Grandma.
Before lunch I did a little workout with weights. My arms and legs feel like they're about to fall off. I wonder if the 8lb weights at the gym really are still 8lbs. Dad's 8lb weights felt heavier. Maybe I'm out of shape.
I met Deb for lunch (Skyline, duh!) and then we went to the Krohn Conservatory and walked a little of Eden Park. It's really windy. While walking and driving we discussed running The Pig Half marathon. Initially I had been opposed to running it because of certain, um, concerns. But when Deb talked about it I started thinking it wouldn't be that bad. Plus one of the St Paul runners is also thinking about running it so I might have a travel partner. (Read: One of the St Paul runners has a brother running the marathon who will never stop bugging her if she doesn't run it. But I'll take advantage of the situation all the same.) Deb said she'd let me know if a week or two what she decides. I guess then I can run the Minneapolis Half still too. I'll have to bump up my long runs this spring ahead of marathon schedule.
Now I'm back home. It's snowing outside but it doesn't appear to be sticking to much other than the bushes. (I know, they have bushes here that are still green. It's wild.) Dad's on his way back from taking Grandma home and I think I'm about to take a nap. I think Jenny is coming overto eat leftovers to visit with me in a little while. I hope she eats the leftovers because I never want to see food again.
After the family party Grandma came to our house. Grandma was almost as sick as Dad was when I arrived on Tuesday. She tried to eat broth but her throat hurt really bad. (If I don't go home with the plague it will be a miracle.) So we put her to bed.
Mom and I headed over to the phone store which was completely empty. (I know, what the heck?) My phone died on Thursday, like can't turn it on, nobody home, nothing makes it better, died. Luckily this one is under warranty. This is the second of the same phone to die in about a year of my owning it. (I don't get you people who can have phones that last three and four years. What's your magic?) So they're sending the replacement phone to my house. But I had to buy a new phone so I can have a means of communication on the drive from where I am to my house. Once I receive the replacement phone I can take the purchased phone back for a refund. Is anyone else dizzy?
After shopping we cleaned up (some) from the Christmas party. Although the second we sat down we both about passed out.
This morning I helped Dad pack Grandma's stuff to go home. We only forgot one bag and luckily that was Christmas presents and not clothes or money. Dad went off to Portsmouth with Grandma.
Before lunch I did a little workout with weights. My arms and legs feel like they're about to fall off. I wonder if the 8lb weights at the gym really are still 8lbs. Dad's 8lb weights felt heavier. Maybe I'm out of shape.
I met Deb for lunch (Skyline, duh!) and then we went to the Krohn Conservatory and walked a little of Eden Park. It's really windy. While walking and driving we discussed running The Pig Half marathon. Initially I had been opposed to running it because of certain, um, concerns. But when Deb talked about it I started thinking it wouldn't be that bad. Plus one of the St Paul runners is also thinking about running it so I might have a travel partner. (Read: One of the St Paul runners has a brother running the marathon who will never stop bugging her if she doesn't run it. But I'll take advantage of the situation all the same.) Deb said she'd let me know if a week or two what she decides. I guess then I can run the Minneapolis Half still too. I'll have to bump up my long runs this spring ahead of marathon schedule.
Now I'm back home. It's snowing outside but it doesn't appear to be sticking to much other than the bushes. (I know, they have bushes here that are still green. It's wild.) Dad's on his way back from taking Grandma home and I think I'm about to take a nap. I think Jenny is coming over
26.12.09
Family Stealing Party 2009
Really, it's the family Christmas party but we play a game where we all steal each others gifts. I had a blast. Here's the photo proof.
It's not a party unless we get to see someone's underwear.
25.12.09
Christmas: A Lot of Fun Actually
I was planning to run this morning but got a reprieve because of lousy weather. (It's vacation therefore I shall not run in the rain.) Instead, I got up mildly late. We had a lazy morning and opened presents around 10:00.
This is referred to as "the family Christmas tree" this year since I made them throw away the old Charlie Brown Tree when they moved.
After presents I cooked Christmas dinner. I actually liked cooking. It made me feel like a grown up. Possibly increasing the enjoyability was the fact that I was only cooking for six people and all of us were heading to a huge supper so there wasn't pressure to produce mass quantities of food. I also did the dishes (because if it was Mom she'd be wrapping them up around sundown and Dad's just getting over the plague so he's not allowed to touch dishes or food right now).
Once all the dishes were clean, we headed down to Kentucky for Christmas Spaghetti.
Luke helped me take some pictures. And we took one of ourselves.
Irmghard's new favorite toy and the sweet guy who gave it to her.
After all the cooking and cleaning and eating, that's how I was feeling too.Tomorrow is the
24.12.09
For vacation I will cook, clean and lift heavy things
I can't even remember what I did yesterday (and am too tired to make the two mouseclicks it would take to read my entry from then) but I woke up exhausted.
Mom and I went to get my car back from the shop. Merry Christmas Liz! Here's new tires and an oil change.
I cooked lunch (notice how I didn't mention breakfast? Yeah. I didn't eat it either.) and then got to work. We're having what I lovingly refer to as the Family Steal-a-thon at our house on Saturday, actually at the "club house" but still, basically here. Mom is basically getting it catered which means we're making about five things instead of ten. I made Tangy Cauliflower Salad as a side because most of the catered sides are, um, quite rich.
After the cauliflower I cleaned the kitchen so I can mess it up tomorrow when I make Christmas dinner. Cauliflower gets everywhere. The little crumbles break off and get on the floor and they're impossible to sweep. They have some sort of stealth action that makes them not want to be swept away.
Mom and I took one load of assorted items to the club house today too but I wouldn't let her set it up. We took chairs (for the 45 people who are coming on Saturday) water, tea, and fruit juices and a couple of the snacks. I couldn't bear to send the tangy cauliflower away though. I spent so much time with it today.
Yesterday it was pushing the cart up the hill. Today it was standing and cooking, cleaning, and carrying heavy things up stairs. I'm wondering how people say they don't get exercise at the holidays. I'm wondering how early I really need to wake up tomorrow in order to run before presents and cooking. It feels like I'm going to need a run just to relax by then.
Right now I'm waiting to go seeMark and Irmghard a whole lot of family down in Kentucky. Where Mark will be cooking. Remember when I said I didn't eat breakfast? This is why. I have an empty belly and I can't wait to fill it.
Merry Christmas!
Mom and I went to get my car back from the shop. Merry Christmas Liz! Here's new tires and an oil change.
I cooked lunch (notice how I didn't mention breakfast? Yeah. I didn't eat it either.) and then got to work. We're having what I lovingly refer to as the Family Steal-a-thon at our house on Saturday, actually at the "club house" but still, basically here. Mom is basically getting it catered which means we're making about five things instead of ten. I made Tangy Cauliflower Salad as a side because most of the catered sides are, um, quite rich.
After the cauliflower I cleaned the kitchen so I can mess it up tomorrow when I make Christmas dinner. Cauliflower gets everywhere. The little crumbles break off and get on the floor and they're impossible to sweep. They have some sort of stealth action that makes them not want to be swept away.
Mom and I took one load of assorted items to the club house today too but I wouldn't let her set it up. We took chairs (for the 45 people who are coming on Saturday) water, tea, and fruit juices and a couple of the snacks. I couldn't bear to send the tangy cauliflower away though. I spent so much time with it today.
Yesterday it was pushing the cart up the hill. Today it was standing and cooking, cleaning, and carrying heavy things up stairs. I'm wondering how people say they don't get exercise at the holidays. I'm wondering how early I really need to wake up tomorrow in order to run before presents and cooking. It feels like I'm going to need a run just to relax by then.
Right now I'm waiting to go see
Merry Christmas!
23.12.09
Vacation: Underway
Vacation so far feels like work but it's a welcome change from the other kind of work.
After running which I wrote about earlier I convinced Mom that we should go back to Skyline for lunch. It was packed. Clearly everyone else from out of town had the same thought I did.
After Skyline we went to the toy store across the street and got Luke's present. I picked it out.
Then, lists in hand, we headed over to Hyde Park Kroger where (surprisingly) I ran into no one that I know. It was packed. Nut-house may not be the right description, just tons of people and tons of shopping carts. The store also has a very odd layout. The produce is the last thing you come to. It was about there that I really felt like any more people surrounding me with their carts was going to give me a panic attack.
(I'm still hungry by the way.)
After Kroger I went down to the Green Dog Cafe and got the last of my Christmas presents to my parents. Wow, just took like 10 minutes to read their menus. Now I'm really hungry.
When I got back from my solo shopping trip, Mom and I went over to Bed Bath and Beyond to get a new stock pot (which is awesome by the way) and bath grip strips (family in town and all).
I dorked around and recovered from all the shopping, driving and traffic. I took Mom back out for one last trip of the evening, to Bangkok Bistro, my other favorite Cincinnati food for take out. Dad still isn't eating so much.
And then I started cooking.
I wrapped presents while the chicken broth and wild rice were cooking. The entire time they were cooking, over an hour. Then I got into the active phase of making the soup: peeling the chicken off the bone. It's so yummy. (I am so hungry.) Mom was making Moon Beams, the best treat ever, but I only got to have two because they're for the party.
We both finished cooking around the same time. Chicken broth is never, like, a clean thing to make. The pot gets this weird chicken goo-film on it that can't be described. It's not really that gross, just hard to clean. Plus the broth boiled over and stained the stove. It gave me a mild heart attack thinking I wasn't going to be able to get it out. I think I did mostly. Thank god for that glass top stove cleaner.
Now it's well after midnight and I'm dog tired. All my wrapping is done. One-third of Christmas dinner is done (the soup). And we picked out family photos toembarrass everyone else entertain everyone at the party. Tomorrow I plan on sleeping in. Not sure if I'll run. Also not sure when Christmas Eve Dinner will be eaten. Mark's cooking. Yeah!
Ok, my eyes are starting to cross. I'm headed to bed.
After running which I wrote about earlier I convinced Mom that we should go back to Skyline for lunch. It was packed. Clearly everyone else from out of town had the same thought I did.
After Skyline we went to the toy store across the street and got Luke's present. I picked it out.
Then, lists in hand, we headed over to Hyde Park Kroger where (surprisingly) I ran into no one that I know. It was packed. Nut-house may not be the right description, just tons of people and tons of shopping carts. The store also has a very odd layout. The produce is the last thing you come to. It was about there that I really felt like any more people surrounding me with their carts was going to give me a panic attack.
(I'm still hungry by the way.)
After Kroger I went down to the Green Dog Cafe and got the last of my Christmas presents to my parents. Wow, just took like 10 minutes to read their menus. Now I'm really hungry.
When I got back from my solo shopping trip, Mom and I went over to Bed Bath and Beyond to get a new stock pot (which is awesome by the way) and bath grip strips (family in town and all).
I dorked around and recovered from all the shopping, driving and traffic. I took Mom back out for one last trip of the evening, to Bangkok Bistro, my other favorite Cincinnati food for take out. Dad still isn't eating so much.
And then I started cooking.
I wrapped presents while the chicken broth and wild rice were cooking. The entire time they were cooking, over an hour. Then I got into the active phase of making the soup: peeling the chicken off the bone. It's so yummy. (I am so hungry.) Mom was making Moon Beams, the best treat ever, but I only got to have two because they're for the party.
We both finished cooking around the same time. Chicken broth is never, like, a clean thing to make. The pot gets this weird chicken goo-film on it that can't be described. It's not really that gross, just hard to clean. Plus the broth boiled over and stained the stove. It gave me a mild heart attack thinking I wasn't going to be able to get it out. I think I did mostly. Thank god for that glass top stove cleaner.
Now it's well after midnight and I'm dog tired. All my wrapping is done. One-third of Christmas dinner is done (the soup). And we picked out family photos to
Ok, my eyes are starting to cross. I'm headed to bed.
Let the Vacation Begin
Yesterday (Tuesday) I did the drive in 10.5hrs. That's about the shortest it's ever taken me. It helped that I stopped twice in Wisconsin and then drove all the way to Ohio. No one knows what I was thinking. Actually, I kind of remember what I was thinking. I know that while driving through Illinois I planned to stop in Indiana for friend chicken and french fries. But in Indiana it appeared I would get home in time to eat Skyline which made me want to get home even more. YUM So I didn't stop in Indiana for fried food. I just kept driving. I had a nice talk with Mark and Irmghard and a really nice conversation with Jenny.
In the beginning of Indiana I called my Dad. I asked where the nearest Skyline is to the new place. His response, "Hmm. I don't know. I just know the one you went to last time you were here." Me - 'how late is it open'. Dad, "I don't know". Me (sensing the conversation was going to be way less helpful than I anticipated) 'is Mom home?' Mom wasn't home at the time but I called back and they actually waited for me to get home to go out to eat. So I got home, put my stuff down and got back in the car to eat.
Dad, sadly, has some sickness. Virus? Swine flu? It's not entirely clear. Boo. I haven't given him a hug yet.
This morning my alarm went off at 7am. Where am I? What's that noise? Why is it so dark? I went back to sleep. An hour later I did wake up and get out of bed. I went for a run mostly because I've been dreaming about running here for a couple of weeks. Wow are there a lot of hills here. Here's what I did this morning. That part of the hill right after the first mile marker is steep. They don't make 'em like that where I run.
Right now Mom and I are planning the menu for several of the Christmas events we're having. I'm cooking on Christmas day. (I feel like such a grow-up.) It's only 6 people that I have to cook for. I'll be making creamy chicken wild rice soup (in honor of my Minnesota heritage), roasted veggies and pear-blue cheese flat bread.
My next goal is to convince Mom that we should have Skyline for lunch instead of whatever she wants to make here. And then we're going to Hyde Park Kroger (where I'll undoubtedly run into like 1o people that I know) to go grocery shopping. It'll also undoubtedly be a nut house which is why I want to eat before hand.
In the beginning of Indiana I called my Dad. I asked where the nearest Skyline is to the new place. His response, "Hmm. I don't know. I just know the one you went to last time you were here." Me - 'how late is it open'. Dad, "I don't know". Me (sensing the conversation was going to be way less helpful than I anticipated) 'is Mom home?' Mom wasn't home at the time but I called back and they actually waited for me to get home to go out to eat. So I got home, put my stuff down and got back in the car to eat.
Dad, sadly, has some sickness. Virus? Swine flu? It's not entirely clear. Boo. I haven't given him a hug yet.
This morning my alarm went off at 7am. Where am I? What's that noise? Why is it so dark? I went back to sleep. An hour later I did wake up and get out of bed. I went for a run mostly because I've been dreaming about running here for a couple of weeks. Wow are there a lot of hills here. Here's what I did this morning. That part of the hill right after the first mile marker is steep. They don't make 'em like that where I run.
Right now Mom and I are planning the menu for several of the Christmas events we're having. I'm cooking on Christmas day. (I feel like such a grow-up.) It's only 6 people that I have to cook for. I'll be making creamy chicken wild rice soup (in honor of my Minnesota heritage), roasted veggies and pear-blue cheese flat bread.
My next goal is to convince Mom that we should have Skyline for lunch instead of whatever she wants to make here. And then we're going to Hyde Park Kroger (where I'll undoubtedly run into like 1o people that I know) to go grocery shopping. It'll also undoubtedly be a nut house which is why I want to eat before hand.
20.12.09
Merry Christmas: My Favorite Christmas Pictures
In honor of Christmas I'm reprising some of my favorite Christmas photos.
Bonus points to any family member who can tell me where this first one was taken. I love that I'm sitting on John's lap in this.
This one is classic Mark but I think the look on Brian's face is the funniest. He's the one who looks sweet and innocent but is secretly breaking closets or something.
The true secret to awesome photos of your family: Strap the camera to the 4-year-old's wrist (strap tightly) because adults will make faces for her they won't make for anyone else. Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C:
And if all else fails, find the cute little kids and take their pictures.
Bonus points to any family member who can tell me where this first one was taken. I love that I'm sitting on John's lap in this.
This one is classic Mark but I think the look on Brian's face is the funniest. He's the one who looks sweet and innocent but is secretly breaking closets or something.
The true secret to awesome photos of your family: Strap the camera to the 4-year-old's wrist (strap tightly) because adults will make faces for her they won't make for anyone else. Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C:
And if all else fails, find the cute little kids and take their pictures.
17.12.09
Still brr, although less brr than Tuesday
I ran this morning with the St Paul crew. At the end of my run I had frost and icicles in my hair. I think that's so cool. Bragging rights. The only thing cooler would have been if steam were coming off my head. (It might have been, I just couldn't see it.)
I tried to work today but the computers were not working. Well, the computers were working, just not the internet or email or my calendar or my to do list. Luckily I had a training planned in the afternoon. Even more luckily the three hour training took about 90 minutes. So I went home.
I did some productive stuff today. I got on the rowing machine at the gym. (Yes, that's two workouts today. I won't be working out tomorrow in honor of Amanda's birthday.) I did my laundry which is always a big relief. I cleaned my house somewhat. At least enough that a teenager can see it without me dying of embarrassment.
And then I played on the internet.
I tried to work today but the computers were not working. Well, the computers were working, just not the internet or email or my calendar or my to do list. Luckily I had a training planned in the afternoon. Even more luckily the three hour training took about 90 minutes. So I went home.
I did some productive stuff today. I got on the rowing machine at the gym. (Yes, that's two workouts today. I won't be working out tomorrow in honor of Amanda's birthday.) I did my laundry which is always a big relief. I cleaned my house somewhat. At least enough that a teenager can see it without me dying of embarrassment.
And then I played on the internet.
- This is how things were at the office today. (In defense of the office, when the computers are working again, things will be much better.)
- HCFS is bad for you. And the follow up, bacon is awesome (sorry to my Jewish friends, bacon is yummy). And the follow-follow up watching TV is bad for you and stopping it makes you thinner. Duh, Duh, and Duh.
- How powerful I feel when I go caving, running too actually.
- Coffee and tea cut the risk for diabetes surprises me only because caffeine... well, no I guess it doesn't surprise me but I'm trying to cut coffee out of my diet completely because... for some reason caffeine makes me totally hypoglycemic, a condition best remedied by eating things with simple sugars. Yum. I also decided to stop drinking caffeine because the caffeine withdraw really impacted my marathon training. I thought it'd be nice to not deal with that at all this year.
15.12.09
Holy mother of Wow is it cold outside!
After the second or third pair of pants didn't fit quite how I expected, I decided it was time to get back on the horse (so to speak) pick a new marathon and start training. (I have some very crazy awesome friends who think I'm going to be ready for the frozen half. They're out of their minds but that leaves me free to cheer instead.) After determining the social work trip that would've totally screwed up marathon training was moved to spring 2011, I picked the Twin Cities Marathon as my next race. What else was I going to pick?
Sunday night after the best 5k in town (where it was only slightly warmer than today), I sat down and mapped out my next marathon training plan. I did this last year too so I knew how far I had to run each week and how far my long runs needed to be each week as well. I like the schedule I found because it's a 40 week program, the 20 week marathon training plan and the 20 week "you have to be able to do this before you even start training for a marathon" plan.
Also, I noted to Amanda that the last two races I've run (the 5k and the marathon) have been at, um, a biologically inconvenient (read: painful) time. I learned, there's an app for that. Which I installed onto my iPod. Seriously, that's one way I know the next marathon can be more pleasant. The app actually proved helpful right away in scheduling step back weeks on the training plan and for picking which spring races to run. Minneapolis Marathon here I come. I will be running the half just like last year.
In honor of the training program, I ran today. Outside. For 4 miles. Wow! It's cold. I gave the yaktrax their first workout of the season. I was glad I had them in a few spots where the wind comes off the lake and blows snow all over the path. I probably could've made it without them. There were a few places where I wished I didn't have them on too. I ran an out and back path around Lake Nokomis. When I got back to my car after running I first noted that my Dreidel Dash hat was covered in frost and my balaclava had literally turned to ice and was frozen in one position. I had icicles in my hair too. When I got in my car I thought "oh, my legs have also turned to blocks of ice" but they thawed quickly. I celebrated by going to the YWCA and sitting in the hot tub.
I'm trying to remember what training in the cold was like last year. I remember a lot of early mornings in the cold. What was I thinking? I think I did that because the YWCA is the least pleasant place on earth in January. (When I want to know how many people make new year resolutions about getting in shape I go to the gym in January. Anyone I don't recognize is guilty.)
Sunday night after the best 5k in town (where it was only slightly warmer than today), I sat down and mapped out my next marathon training plan. I did this last year too so I knew how far I had to run each week and how far my long runs needed to be each week as well. I like the schedule I found because it's a 40 week program, the 20 week marathon training plan and the 20 week "you have to be able to do this before you even start training for a marathon" plan.
Also, I noted to Amanda that the last two races I've run (the 5k and the marathon) have been at, um, a biologically inconvenient (read: painful) time. I learned, there's an app for that. Which I installed onto my iPod. Seriously, that's one way I know the next marathon can be more pleasant. The app actually proved helpful right away in scheduling step back weeks on the training plan and for picking which spring races to run. Minneapolis Marathon here I come. I will be running the half just like last year.
In honor of the training program, I ran today. Outside. For 4 miles. Wow! It's cold. I gave the yaktrax their first workout of the season. I was glad I had them in a few spots where the wind comes off the lake and blows snow all over the path. I probably could've made it without them. There were a few places where I wished I didn't have them on too. I ran an out and back path around Lake Nokomis. When I got back to my car after running I first noted that my Dreidel Dash hat was covered in frost and my balaclava had literally turned to ice and was frozen in one position. I had icicles in my hair too. When I got in my car I thought "oh, my legs have also turned to blocks of ice" but they thawed quickly. I celebrated by going to the YWCA and sitting in the hot tub.
I'm trying to remember what training in the cold was like last year. I remember a lot of early mornings in the cold. What was I thinking? I think I did that because the YWCA is the least pleasant place on earth in January. (When I want to know how many people make new year resolutions about getting in shape I go to the gym in January. Anyone I don't recognize is guilty.)
13.12.09
Dashing... More like a slow trot actually
Wow! am I out of shape. I didn't really have high expectations for my time in the best 5k in town so the 38:00 time wasn't actually a huge disappointment. It turned out to be a really fun race. A friend of mine dropped 5:00 off her time from last year.
I actually got to run with a friend's son for the last half mile or so. We talked about football. Speaking of football. After the dash, I had to sit at the table for my work which is a community partner of the race. I showed up at the table (changed from my sweaty/icy racing clothes) and she wasted no time saying, "I have to get home and watch the Vikings". I was lead to believe that in the third quarter the Vikings were down like 16 to 7 or something. Loosing to the Bengals. And I wasn't emotionally prepared to hear it from my dad tonight (who lives in Cincinnati). Imagine my joy when I got home and watched the last 2:00 of the game (literally) and watched my Vikings win! And clinch a play-off spot!
This race also made me think about training for my next marathon, perhaps the Twin Cities in 2010. The other option is Grandma's. I don't have quite enough time to run Minneapolis. The thing about Twin Cities is there's a possibility I'll go to South Africa again with more social workers and that would be in August/September right as training reaches a fever pitch and there's no way to train in South Africa. People just don't go out and go for a jog there. But the trip hasn't been scheduled yet. Who knows.
I'm feeling like I need another big race to train for. For some reason a half-marathon just feels to easy to train for now. Never in my entire life, did I imagine I'd think that.
I actually got to run with a friend's son for the last half mile or so. We talked about football. Speaking of football. After the dash, I had to sit at the table for my work which is a community partner of the race. I showed up at the table (changed from my sweaty/icy racing clothes) and she wasted no time saying, "I have to get home and watch the Vikings". I was lead to believe that in the third quarter the Vikings were down like 16 to 7 or something. Loosing to the Bengals. And I wasn't emotionally prepared to hear it from my dad tonight (who lives in Cincinnati). Imagine my joy when I got home and watched the last 2:00 of the game (literally) and watched my Vikings win! And clinch a play-off spot!
This race also made me think about training for my next marathon, perhaps the Twin Cities in 2010. The other option is Grandma's. I don't have quite enough time to run Minneapolis. The thing about Twin Cities is there's a possibility I'll go to South Africa again with more social workers and that would be in August/September right as training reaches a fever pitch and there's no way to train in South Africa. People just don't go out and go for a jog there. But the trip hasn't been scheduled yet. Who knows.
I'm feeling like I need another big race to train for. For some reason a half-marathon just feels to easy to train for now. Never in my entire life, did I imagine I'd think that.
8.12.09
The Cincinnati in me wants a snow day so bad it hurts
It's Minnesota and we finally have snow. It comes at a high price though. Snow with no wind is pleasant. Snow with howling wind, well the snow doesn't even stay still long enough to run a sled through it so what's the point really? At least the lake will be frozen so Amanda and I can jump into it.
I actually had a really nice day, despite an unusual amount of driving. Most of the driving was before the storm started. I got home around 6:00p, but I was in Minneapolis about two miles from my house since about 3:30p. The drive home was a short distance in slow but moving traffic.
Now that I'm home and cozy, it'd be nice to have an excuse not to work tomorrow. On the plus side, I don't need to be at work until 9:50 (or so) so I can leave my house after rush hour. That at least will be pleasant.
I actually had a really nice day, despite an unusual amount of driving. Most of the driving was before the storm started. I got home around 6:00p, but I was in Minneapolis about two miles from my house since about 3:30p. The drive home was a short distance in slow but moving traffic.
Now that I'm home and cozy, it'd be nice to have an excuse not to work tomorrow. On the plus side, I don't need to be at work until 9:50 (or so) so I can leave my house after rush hour. That at least will be pleasant.
More on the Old Magazines
In my last post I told you all about having way too many old magazines. Beth suggested Art Scraps in St. Paul.
I also did a web search about what can I do with my old magazines. And the results are:
Apparently everyone at Tree Hugger just recycles them.
I could make my own tables and other furniture.
But the coups de gras was the discussion here. Among my favorites are:
I also did a web search about what can I do with my old magazines. And the results are:
Apparently everyone at Tree Hugger just recycles them.
I could make my own tables and other furniture.
But the coups de gras was the discussion here. Among my favorites are:
Look for your local FREECycle organization. In my area it is done by zip code. You can find Free cycle in the groups area of yahoo.com. OR simply type freecycle.org. It is a GREAT concept. You are trying to rid of stuff and someone else might like it for free - they come and get it. Saves the landfills. (This one is actually useful.)
first see if the library might want them. if not how about an elementary school or even a welfare office, doctors's office. etc. (I don't think it's called "the welfare office" anymore, but useful ideas.)
You can check with the jail in your town. They may take them for the inmates to read. They will not however take any hardback books. WIN!!
7.12.09
A Time for Healing?
After my poor mental health post I took a step in the process of healing from bed bugs which I dealt with for a long, really long, too long, ridiculously long, time.
A result of the multiple spraying, inspections, and packing of everything in my apartment is that my clothing, and basically all of my textiles lived in plastic bags for (oh my gosh) the past year except clothes/coats/towels/sheets/etc I use regularly. I think my loathing for all Ikea furniture was made perfectly clear when I threw away the piece of crap dresser I bought from there. But I love some of there other little things (hello $3.00 rugs) including their dresser and closet containers. (New rule of thumb: Ikea furniture - bad; Ikea textiles - generally good).
Sunday I took all my clothes, sheets, and towels out of the plastic bags (I'm referring here to the Mondo-size zip locks) that had been their home for the past year. I sorted everything out. Then I cleaned my linen closet which was ridiculously cluttered for how little is actually in there, and stored the sheets and towels.
Having taken stock of my clothing I went to Ikea in search of organization (in addition to a Christmas present specifically requested by Mom). I bought one of those cubbie/drawer things that hangs over the clothes bar. My choices of color were a red/orange (just no) white, or black. I chose black because the white can look dingy. I forgot that it's really hard to see in the black drawers. (It's an unusual complaint and I won't take the thing back for it. I just want you to know.)
The now-sorted clothes went into the hanging organizer well. And presto my room is clean. The laundry hamper now fits back in the closet since the floor is no longer cluttered with over-large ziplock bags. It just made me feel so much better to have two clean closets and every thing back.
I also cooked actual food yesterday, peanut butter curry. My parents were interested to hear I can get fresh-ground peanut butter at my co-op. Seriously. The little machine just makes it right there for me. On the curry, yum!. I needed a better curry to rice ratio but the recipe I found (truly African) didn't have measurements so much as an ingredient list and loose information about proportions. It's really a miracle I got as close as I did. Ingredients in the curry include raisins and cashews. All my favorite meals involve fruit. Well, many of my favorite meals and almost all of my favorite deserts involve fruit. Yum, nonetheless.
I also sorted out my tupperware drawer. How does that get so out of control? and today I sorted out the last drawer to have textiles in plastic bags: the drawer full of my kitchen towels. It just feels so much nicer, I feel better about myself, and less loathing for living here now that stuff is back where it belongs. I actually didn't realize how much loathing I had for having my place that way until it wasn't.
My progress in the apartment has left me with a couple dilemmas. My questions to the readers:
A result of the multiple spraying, inspections, and packing of everything in my apartment is that my clothing, and basically all of my textiles lived in plastic bags for (oh my gosh) the past year except clothes/coats/towels/sheets/etc I use regularly. I think my loathing for all Ikea furniture was made perfectly clear when I threw away the piece of crap dresser I bought from there. But I love some of there other little things (hello $3.00 rugs) including their dresser and closet containers. (New rule of thumb: Ikea furniture - bad; Ikea textiles - generally good).
Sunday I took all my clothes, sheets, and towels out of the plastic bags (I'm referring here to the Mondo-size zip locks) that had been their home for the past year. I sorted everything out. Then I cleaned my linen closet which was ridiculously cluttered for how little is actually in there, and stored the sheets and towels.
Having taken stock of my clothing I went to Ikea in search of organization (in addition to a Christmas present specifically requested by Mom). I bought one of those cubbie/drawer things that hangs over the clothes bar. My choices of color were a red/orange (just no) white, or black. I chose black because the white can look dingy. I forgot that it's really hard to see in the black drawers. (It's an unusual complaint and I won't take the thing back for it. I just want you to know.)
The now-sorted clothes went into the hanging organizer well. And presto my room is clean. The laundry hamper now fits back in the closet since the floor is no longer cluttered with over-large ziplock bags. It just made me feel so much better to have two clean closets and every thing back.
I also cooked actual food yesterday, peanut butter curry. My parents were interested to hear I can get fresh-ground peanut butter at my co-op. Seriously. The little machine just makes it right there for me. On the curry, yum!. I needed a better curry to rice ratio but the recipe I found (truly African) didn't have measurements so much as an ingredient list and loose information about proportions. It's really a miracle I got as close as I did. Ingredients in the curry include raisins and cashews. All my favorite meals involve fruit. Well, many of my favorite meals and almost all of my favorite deserts involve fruit. Yum, nonetheless.
I also sorted out my tupperware drawer. How does that get so out of control? and today I sorted out the last drawer to have textiles in plastic bags: the drawer full of my kitchen towels. It just feels so much nicer, I feel better about myself, and less loathing for living here now that stuff is back where it belongs. I actually didn't realize how much loathing I had for having my place that way until it wasn't.
My progress in the apartment has left me with a couple dilemmas. My questions to the readers:
- I have a crap ton of the really good take out containers that the Chinese restaurants use for soup. What can I do with them? Is it dumb to give those to Good Will? Anyone want them. They're really good. Problem is they're all the "large" (read: two servings) size and I don't want them. I think they're partly responsible for the chaos in my tupperware drawer.
- I have, also, a ton of magazines, mostly Eating Well, that I'm not using anymore. What do you do with old magazines? I think there's like an art form now of folding up pages from magazines and making them into coasters. How do I find a local artist who will use them? Is there anyone else that will use them? I think I could recycle them too.
6.12.09
Sunday Linkfest - Since football today was entirely disappointing
- What I think God thinks is exactly what God thinks. Duh.
- If that wasn't proof enough, here's another reason you should listen to me.
- While listening to the weather tonight I heard words like "blizzard", "cold blast", and "arctic chill". Don't worry, I'm still excited for the Best 5K in Town (Seriously Amanda, sign up!) It appears the weather is destined to be freezing for this race. That makes it more fun.
- When I own a house this is how I'll decorate it for Christmas.
- Speaking for designs and decorations, I thought
Kellymy pooky bear could do this and I know that several of you could make this. - When I ran this week some friends were talking about the toy hamsters (not knowing they can kill you) but it took a lot of web searching before I could find even this limited information about the health risks of antimony. Is this for real or just someone freaking out?
- A possible solution to driving in Minnesota in the winter?
- Definitely not what I would call life changing but an interesting idea about waste and energy. Ewww.
- And finally this is for Amanda!
5.12.09
Hermit Saturday - Almost
What'd I do today?
930-ish, I got out of bed and ran my Run fast up hills route. Hey, it's cold and I am going to run outside in a 5k next week (Sign up if you haven't!) and I can count on my fingers the number of times I've run outside since the big day. I didn't go quite the full distance because I ran into Cheryl a few blocks from my house and I stopped to say hi.
1100, Watch my Bearcats try to give me a heart attack in their eventual win over Pitt. (Side note: I've technically completed programs at both of these schools.) Brian Kelly: Stay in Cincinnati!
1400, that game finally ends with me jumping up and down. I "read" part of The Two Towers (on tape) and had lentil soup with chicken for lunch. I basically hung out all afternoon watching various football games and movies. BTW, this is a Bearcat but this is what a Bearcat really looks like.
1830, go to the Liquor store because there's more football tonight (since when do I like football?). In the parking lot, my mentee calls me and says, "can you take me to the emergency room?" and the surprising answer was No. (I'll support that decision to anyone who has questions but seriously, if she needed to go, I wouldn't have said no.)
1850, went to the YWCA and hung out in the hot tub, where I talked to a (mildly hot) guy named Alex. I neglected to mention that was my first name too. Also ran into Cyndi (yes, I did spell that right, and I spell all Cyndi's that way now) and got to hang out with her little baby.
2000, (is it weird that I do military time?) Now watching the Nebraksa/Texas game and still fighting with my mentee about why I will not take her to the ER to get antibiotics. She just hung up on me so I'm thinking we're pretty much done with that conversation. Do you think less of me now because it's not a satisfying feeling at all. Also, go Nebraska. Today has been a big day for punt blocking in all football games.
930-ish, I got out of bed and ran my Run fast up hills route. Hey, it's cold and I am going to run outside in a 5k next week (Sign up if you haven't!) and I can count on my fingers the number of times I've run outside since the big day. I didn't go quite the full distance because I ran into Cheryl a few blocks from my house and I stopped to say hi.
1100, Watch my Bearcats try to give me a heart attack in their eventual win over Pitt. (Side note: I've technically completed programs at both of these schools.) Brian Kelly: Stay in Cincinnati!
1400, that game finally ends with me jumping up and down. I "read" part of The Two Towers (on tape) and had lentil soup with chicken for lunch. I basically hung out all afternoon watching various football games and movies. BTW, this is a Bearcat but this is what a Bearcat really looks like.
1830, go to the Liquor store because there's more football tonight (since when do I like football?). In the parking lot, my mentee calls me and says, "can you take me to the emergency room?" and the surprising answer was No. (I'll support that decision to anyone who has questions but seriously, if she needed to go, I wouldn't have said no.)
1850, went to the YWCA and hung out in the hot tub, where I talked to a (mildly hot) guy named Alex. I neglected to mention that was my first name too. Also ran into Cyndi (yes, I did spell that right, and I spell all Cyndi's that way now) and got to hang out with her little baby.
2000, (is it weird that I do military time?) Now watching the Nebraksa/Texas game and still fighting with my mentee about why I will not take her to the ER to get antibiotics. She just hung up on me so I'm thinking we're pretty much done with that conversation. Do you think less of me now because it's not a satisfying feeling at all. Also, go Nebraska. Today has been a big day for punt blocking in all football games.
4.12.09
The Friday Five
I haven't done one of these, but The Friday Five looks interesting this week:
1. What song do you play the most? According to my play list (and please keep in mind I spent quality time running with my iPod this summer): Healing Hands - Elton John; FutureSexLoveSound - Justin Timberlake; I Run for Life - Melissa Etheridge; A Little Less Conversation - Elvis; Affirmation - Savage Garden
2. What song do you play the least? Angels Would Fall - Melissa Etheridge and Sorry to a Friend - Edwin McCain have last been played two years ago, of the songs that have actually been played at least once.
3. What's the last song you added? Parachute - She is Love. (Quick plug here for Skreemr.)
4. What's your favorite playlist? My exercise playlists. I have one that's several hours long for those looong runs I did this summer and one that's shorter with only fast, fun songs with a good beat. Favorite songs for exercising, besides those above include: Fire Burning on the Dance Floor - Sean Kingston; Burnin' Up - Jonas Brothers (I feel no shame); Temperature - Sean Paul; Remember the Name - Fort Minor; Lose Yourself - Eminem (I know it's Eminem, but I feel like I'm in Amsterdam at about 38K every time I hear it); Waking Up in Vegas - Katy Perry and 4 Minutes - Madonna.
5. What kind of iPod (or MP3 player) do you have? My first one was a Shuffle, the 1G model, orange. My second iPod is the Product Red Nano, which accommodates my Nike+ sensor that Amanda and Eric and Kelly got me when I graduated. My most recent purchase is a 2ng gen iPod touch (maybe it's a 3rd gen, is there a 3rd gen? probably second gen) that I love. It's great to be able to watch movies on airplanes. 'Nuff said.
1. What song do you play the most? According to my play list (and please keep in mind I spent quality time running with my iPod this summer): Healing Hands - Elton John; FutureSexLoveSound - Justin Timberlake; I Run for Life - Melissa Etheridge; A Little Less Conversation - Elvis; Affirmation - Savage Garden
2. What song do you play the least? Angels Would Fall - Melissa Etheridge and Sorry to a Friend - Edwin McCain have last been played two years ago, of the songs that have actually been played at least once.
3. What's the last song you added? Parachute - She is Love. (Quick plug here for Skreemr.)
4. What's your favorite playlist? My exercise playlists. I have one that's several hours long for those looong runs I did this summer and one that's shorter with only fast, fun songs with a good beat. Favorite songs for exercising, besides those above include: Fire Burning on the Dance Floor - Sean Kingston; Burnin' Up - Jonas Brothers (I feel no shame); Temperature - Sean Paul; Remember the Name - Fort Minor; Lose Yourself - Eminem (I know it's Eminem, but I feel like I'm in Amsterdam at about 38K every time I hear it); Waking Up in Vegas - Katy Perry and 4 Minutes - Madonna.
5. What kind of iPod (or MP3 player) do you have? My first one was a Shuffle, the 1G model, orange. My second iPod is the Product Red Nano, which accommodates my Nike+ sensor that Amanda and Eric and Kelly got me when I graduated. My most recent purchase is a 2ng gen iPod touch (maybe it's a 3rd gen, is there a 3rd gen? probably second gen) that I love. It's great to be able to watch movies on airplanes. 'Nuff said.
My day started off with a bad touch and started off from there
Thursday: A colleague was walking around the office carrying a stuffed bear. Said colleague explained (to someone else while I was in the room listening) that the animal represents a positive spirit and she carries it around for anyone who might need it. (I was not judging. Well, ok, I was judging but I was feeling bad about it and I wasn't judging out loud for sure.)
Friday: I had no time today for anything. I had about an hour to get all of my work done for the day. Then I had a meeting, then off to the School of Social Work to educate young minds about working with seniors. About five minutes into my work time there's the fuzzy bear (and said colleague) literally in my face. Bad Touch. I was neither pleased nor amused. Amanda said it's how she feels every time I say "do you need a hug?". NO!
The morning meeting wasn't too bad, until the end and by then I had an excuse to duck out because...
I went to the school of social work to talk to people about working with seniors. It could have gone better. I had twice the time to work with as I expected, and (I'll admit) I was under-prepared. But I think the students were also fried because it's one week to the end of the semester. Poor things. The last semester was by far my favorite.
The end of the day got much better. I saw Amanda and my pooky bear at the No Coast Craft-o-Rama. It was a great time.
::Steps up on soap box:: To all of you who make jewelry that you sell, I encourage you to make some with surgical steel hoops/clasps/hooks etc. For me, earrings are my most favorite girl accessory of all. (Most of you have noticed that I rarely wear skirts or dresses and never wear make-up.) Earrings I love. And I'm always bummed when I see earrings I'd like, and I'd love to support local artists but they don't make earrings my sensitive ears can wear. ::Steps down from soap box::
We had awesome food, I had Vietnamese and they had tamales. Yum!
Friday: I had no time today for anything. I had about an hour to get all of my work done for the day. Then I had a meeting, then off to the School of Social Work to educate young minds about working with seniors. About five minutes into my work time there's the fuzzy bear (and said colleague) literally in my face. Bad Touch. I was neither pleased nor amused. Amanda said it's how she feels every time I say "do you need a hug?". NO!
The morning meeting wasn't too bad, until the end and by then I had an excuse to duck out because...
I went to the school of social work to talk to people about working with seniors. It could have gone better. I had twice the time to work with as I expected, and (I'll admit) I was under-prepared. But I think the students were also fried because it's one week to the end of the semester. Poor things. The last semester was by far my favorite.
The end of the day got much better. I saw Amanda and my pooky bear at the No Coast Craft-o-Rama. It was a great time.
::Steps up on soap box:: To all of you who make jewelry that you sell, I encourage you to make some with surgical steel hoops/clasps/hooks etc. For me, earrings are my most favorite girl accessory of all. (Most of you have noticed that I rarely wear skirts or dresses and never wear make-up.) Earrings I love. And I'm always bummed when I see earrings I'd like, and I'd love to support local artists but they don't make earrings my sensitive ears can wear. ::Steps down from soap box::
We had awesome food, I had Vietnamese and they had tamales. Yum!
2.12.09
It's always a sign of my mental health when:
- I wake up and run (or go to the gym): this week, I've worked out or ran all three days, last week not so much
- My kitchen and living room are clean: No. Just, no.
- I cook for myself: the only reason I "cooked" for lunch today is because I couldn't fit in fast food between my meetings. Ditto for tomorrow. Awesome Chinese with Amanda last night for dinner and I'm pretty convinced tonight's dinner will be from a restaurant as well
- I take a shower every day: only doing that because I am actually working out
- I get out of my house: well, last weekend was a holiday so it's hard to use that as a measure
27.11.09
Thanksgiving: Status Update
Liz: Lying in bed
Number of people snoring: One in my room with me, one next door (actually louder than the roommate), and at least one dog down the hall
Nose: Still plugged up. I see Afirin in my future.
Contacts: Much better. (Amanda, no worries because I do have a new pair with me.)
Sleepy: Me, not so much. But the dull glow from the computer doesn't seem to bother my roommate (who opted for the 12:01am shopping start time last night with no naps today and is now sacked out).
Food I ate today: Surprisingly little. Snack mix (and not a lot) for breakfast, lasagna for lunch and a left-over sandwich and creamed corn for dinner, plus two cups of coffee, three twizzlers and many pistachios. Sadly, no more turkey for Liz.
Shopping left to do: Mom and Dad (duh, they're here, I can't do it all now), my mentee, and one thing for a colleague.
I was also thinking of Thank-You/Christmas cards to all the Bolder Options donors. I guess I should get on that one.
Number of people snoring: One in my room with me, one next door (actually louder than the roommate), and at least one dog down the hall
Nose: Still plugged up. I see Afirin in my future.
Contacts: Much better. (Amanda, no worries because I do have a new pair with me.)
Sleepy: Me, not so much. But the dull glow from the computer doesn't seem to bother my roommate (who opted for the 12:01am shopping start time last night with no naps today and is now sacked out).
Food I ate today: Surprisingly little. Snack mix (and not a lot) for breakfast, lasagna for lunch and a left-over sandwich and creamed corn for dinner, plus two cups of coffee, three twizzlers and many pistachios. Sadly, no more turkey for Liz.
Shopping left to do: Mom and Dad (duh, they're here, I can't do it all now), my mentee, and one thing for a colleague.
I was also thinking of Thank-You/Christmas cards to all the Bolder Options donors. I guess I should get on that one.
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