You can see my reflections for Week One, Week Two, and Week Three if you follow these links. Biker Boy and I are doing this Couch to 5K program together and completed our fourth week this past weekend.
Week four really kicks things into a higher gear. The program calls for running for three minutes, walking for ninety seconds, running for five minutes, then walking for two and a half minutes and doing this twice. This kicked my ass.
Running Day 1 - Biker Boy has control of the watch. I tried to be the timekeeper the first week and messed it up so...technological things like "watches" go to the masculine half of this duo. For the first twenty-two years of my life, I never had a working television set. I say it was because I just didn't have time to watch those waste of time shows, but the truth is that I could never figure out how to set one up. But, back to the story. For the first time since we began this running business, I am dying to know how much longer. Oh, dear lord, just tell me how much longer. Plus, I am literally dying. Okay, perhaps not literally, but by the end of that first five minute jog, I am barely lifting my feet off the ground and my breath is coming in ragged sobs. If I had passed me on the path, I would have assumed I had just heard that my favorite uncle had just died and I was consumed by grief.
On the upside, oh, wait, there is no upside here.
Next Day - Hi! Did I have a problem yesterday? Oh, everything's fine now!
Running Day 2 - Things are better now. I am running. I still am a teeny weeny (okay, a lot) bit jealous of the boy for knowing the time, but I just do it, as Nike would advise me. This is challenging, mostly to my lungs. We're also doing this at 6:30 am because both of us have to work at like a normal time in the morning and that's 1) unusual and 2) good because it is LOVELY outside at this time of the morning. No wonder there are so many people walking their awesome dogs. Oh, and running past us. It's a bit embarrassing that this woman who appears to be in her eighties runs by us as if we are standing still.
I haven't had a problem with a stitch in my side since week 1, but towards the end of our second rotation of running for three minutes, I have developed this pain in my side. After week one, I have not once complained about running within my wonderful husband's hearing, for fear of the rebuke that will come from him, but I do pipe up on our ninety second walk, "ummm..." (so quietly) "....I have this stitch..." "Yep. That'll happen." Uh huh.
Next day: All is fantastic here. Why don't we run every single day?
Running Day 3 - Okay, I'm going to be honest. I still feel a bit like I did at the beginning of the week. I must be getting stronger, but I certainly don't feel stronger. The stitch in my side came early and stayed, my right knee protested for much of the running, and I didn't feel good at all. This could be because 1) fall allergies seem to be arriving and I can barely breathe through my nose when I'm not running and 2) I have been riding my bike a lot lately and the seat post may have slipped when I was attempting to fix something else and even though we've tried getting the seat post back to its original, super duper, doesn't hurt NGS's knees level, we're having trouble doing so. Teaches me to try and adjust something on my own bike. I should leave that to the expert in the house.
We're going to attempt week five next week, but if it seems too much, we may be revisiting week four again. Hopefully not, because I like the weekly progression, but I also don't want to detest running and/or hurt myself. On to week five! And blessedly chilly mornings!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Sweet Summer Scent
We pile in the Caravan, dad driving, mom knitting in the passenger seat, sister way in the back, me sandwiched in the middle. He turns on the radio, AM radio. It is the 1990s and you would think we could have at least used an FM station, but no. There's a Cubs game on, wait, no, it's the Cubs pre-game. I stifle a groan, knowing we would listen to the pre-game show, the actual game, and then the post-game. This would take us through to almost the middle of Wisconsin, and I am already bored.
Sister rolls her eyes at me, knowing, as I do, that we will be hearing intermittent cheering and/or cursing for the next five to six hours. She puts her headphones on and I know she is all but gone to me until the car stops again.
Then, as now, I will fall asleep if I don't find something to do to occupy myself. Mom used to make up silly games for us, occasionally even pack a travel board game or two, but for the last couple of road trips, she has simply packed her yarn and needles and left us to our own devices. I start counting out-of-state license plates, reveling in tractor-trailers and U-Hauls. I try to spot signs with all the letters of the alphabet: A in Grand Rapids 15 miles, B in Benton Harbor 70 miles, C in McDonalds next exit. I write them down on a piece of paper. Around the letter R I am done with this game. No one will ever see this list and what is its purpose?
The voices drone on and on about ERAs. I was pretty sure it wasn't in reference to the equal rights amendment.
I pull out a book. I have packed about a dozen books for this trip, knowing I will read them all multiple times. A few are old favorites: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, and Black Beauty. Frances Nolan's life in Brooklyn is far removed from mine, but she reads and is smart and finds a way to succeed. I want to be her. Mary Lennox is unpopular and shy and sometimes sarcastic and always misunderstood and I know I am her. Anne Shirley is the anti-Mary Lennox and I marvel and her ability to overcome obstacles, to fit in, and to be everything I am not.
The car slows and the parents are consulting on which fast food place we should eat dinner. Sister votes for Wendy's in the backseat. If she could eat at Wendy's every day, she would. I, as usual, say nothing, knowing that in the pecking order of our family, my desires mean nothing.
As we get out, Wendy's it is, the smell of a newly tarred road is overwhelming. Sister makes a comment about how we should get in the restaurant as soon as possible. I inhale the scent, loving its sharpness, knowing that it is a fresh beginning for the road, and appreciating that this new road will take many travelers, just like us, to new places.
Later, after dinner, we stop for gas. I stand next to the car as the adults pump and wash the windshield, breathing deeply, loving the gasoline and fresh tar smell, vowing that someday I'll stop and enjoy the smell for as long as I want to.
On our first road trip together, as a newly dating couple, Biker Boy and I stood at a gas station, both of us inhaling the tang of gasoline and freshly poured tar. We stood there for several minutes. We had, oddly enough, come from a Wendy's, and this memory came flooding back. I could stand here and smell this as long as I wanted to and this man would let me do so. Already a tiny part of my heart belonged to him, but right then, a large chunk became his.
Sister rolls her eyes at me, knowing, as I do, that we will be hearing intermittent cheering and/or cursing for the next five to six hours. She puts her headphones on and I know she is all but gone to me until the car stops again.
Then, as now, I will fall asleep if I don't find something to do to occupy myself. Mom used to make up silly games for us, occasionally even pack a travel board game or two, but for the last couple of road trips, she has simply packed her yarn and needles and left us to our own devices. I start counting out-of-state license plates, reveling in tractor-trailers and U-Hauls. I try to spot signs with all the letters of the alphabet: A in Grand Rapids 15 miles, B in Benton Harbor 70 miles, C in McDonalds next exit. I write them down on a piece of paper. Around the letter R I am done with this game. No one will ever see this list and what is its purpose?
The voices drone on and on about ERAs. I was pretty sure it wasn't in reference to the equal rights amendment.
I pull out a book. I have packed about a dozen books for this trip, knowing I will read them all multiple times. A few are old favorites: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, and Black Beauty. Frances Nolan's life in Brooklyn is far removed from mine, but she reads and is smart and finds a way to succeed. I want to be her. Mary Lennox is unpopular and shy and sometimes sarcastic and always misunderstood and I know I am her. Anne Shirley is the anti-Mary Lennox and I marvel and her ability to overcome obstacles, to fit in, and to be everything I am not.
The car slows and the parents are consulting on which fast food place we should eat dinner. Sister votes for Wendy's in the backseat. If she could eat at Wendy's every day, she would. I, as usual, say nothing, knowing that in the pecking order of our family, my desires mean nothing.
As we get out, Wendy's it is, the smell of a newly tarred road is overwhelming. Sister makes a comment about how we should get in the restaurant as soon as possible. I inhale the scent, loving its sharpness, knowing that it is a fresh beginning for the road, and appreciating that this new road will take many travelers, just like us, to new places.
Later, after dinner, we stop for gas. I stand next to the car as the adults pump and wash the windshield, breathing deeply, loving the gasoline and fresh tar smell, vowing that someday I'll stop and enjoy the smell for as long as I want to.
On our first road trip together, as a newly dating couple, Biker Boy and I stood at a gas station, both of us inhaling the tang of gasoline and freshly poured tar. We stood there for several minutes. We had, oddly enough, come from a Wendy's, and this memory came flooding back. I could stand here and smell this as long as I wanted to and this man would let me do so. Already a tiny part of my heart belonged to him, but right then, a large chunk became his.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Life List
This life list is totally cribbed from Bright Yellow World.
Every day, I would like to:
1) Kiss my husband good morning and good night.
2) Make the bed.
3) Remember to charge my dumb cell phone.
4) Smile at a child.
Every week, I would like to:
1) Call a friend I haven't heard from in a while.
2) Send out snail mail to someone.
3) Workout at least four times.
4) Try out a new recipe.
In three months, I would like to:
1) Not be surprised that Biker Boy is still here with me.
2) Have figured out how we're going to do the holidays.
3) Go on a weekend trip with just my husband for the sole purpose of hanging out with him.
4) Be able to run a 5K.
Before next year, I would like to:
1) Have a wedding album done.
2) Have at least two chapters of my dissertation done.
3) Buy fabulous shoes, so fabulous that people stop me on the street to ask about them.
4) See a non-Republican in the White House.
In two to five years, I would like to:
1) Be done with grad school forever.
2) Get a dog.
3) Own a house with a garage.
4) Be able to throw out all those files with articles from classes that I'm never going to read or consult ever again.
Before I die, I would like to:
1) Have a job I love.
2) Travel to Ireland, Australia, and Alaska.
3) Read a J.D. Robb book in which Dallas realizes that Roarke is an abusive jerk and leaves him.
4) Drive an old-school Ford from the 1950s in mint green with leather seats.
Every day, I would like to:
1) Kiss my husband good morning and good night.
2) Make the bed.
3) Remember to charge my dumb cell phone.
4) Smile at a child.
Every week, I would like to:
1) Call a friend I haven't heard from in a while.
2) Send out snail mail to someone.
3) Workout at least four times.
4) Try out a new recipe.
In three months, I would like to:
1) Not be surprised that Biker Boy is still here with me.
2) Have figured out how we're going to do the holidays.
3) Go on a weekend trip with just my husband for the sole purpose of hanging out with him.
4) Be able to run a 5K.
Before next year, I would like to:
1) Have a wedding album done.
2) Have at least two chapters of my dissertation done.
3) Buy fabulous shoes, so fabulous that people stop me on the street to ask about them.
4) See a non-Republican in the White House.
In two to five years, I would like to:
1) Be done with grad school forever.
2) Get a dog.
3) Own a house with a garage.
4) Be able to throw out all those files with articles from classes that I'm never going to read or consult ever again.
Before I die, I would like to:
1) Have a job I love.
2) Travel to Ireland, Australia, and Alaska.
3) Read a J.D. Robb book in which Dallas realizes that Roarke is an abusive jerk and leaves him.
4) Drive an old-school Ford from the 1950s in mint green with leather seats.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
C25K - Week Three
Here is my week one experience with the Couch to 5K program and here is week two. This week we did two rotations of a 90 second jog followed by a 90 second walk and a three minute jog followed by a three minute walk. This was quite a step up from last week, I thought.
Running Day 1 - Okay, well, the day before Biker Boy and I had gone on a long bike ride. My hamstrings and inner thighs were sore and tight. As we ran, my muscles were loosening up a bit, but with every step, I could feel my muscles revolt. Good times. The stretching portion of our workout was...interesting.
Next Day - I spent the day sprawled in front of the television, playing a game called "who is the hottest athlete on screen?"* while I drooled over swimmers, gymnasts, and beach volleyballers, as I attempted to loosen my hamstrings.
Running Day 2 - There is another godforsaken heat wave coming soon, so I totally enjoyed the last coolish morning while we ran. There were lots of fantastic dogs out on this run, definitely a larger number than most. There's a duo singing in front of a small audience in the trial gardens and it was such a good day.
Next Day - Hey, more hot athletes. Sweet. This Olympics thing is working out for me!
Running Day 3 - The heat is back. I am not happy about this turn of events. My fingers are swelling in the heat and there is a blister forming on my ring finger where my wedding band and engagement ring are rubbing against each other. Running is fine. This week seemed...dare I say it...not too bad, and I'm thinking next week's more challenging regimen is just what I'm looking for me.
Next Day - My sister-in-law and brother-in-law come to visit. We go for a recreational bike ride. Seriously recreational. I don't know if Biker Boy and I have ever pedalled so slowly. It was eye-opening that sometimes people don't bike for all they're worth. Awesome. It took us like an hour to get around three lakes. Hee.
I'm looking forward to next week! Let's do it!
* Turns out that men from Spain are quite appealing and women from Poland and Slovakia can get my juices going.
Running Day 1 - Okay, well, the day before Biker Boy and I had gone on a long bike ride. My hamstrings and inner thighs were sore and tight. As we ran, my muscles were loosening up a bit, but with every step, I could feel my muscles revolt. Good times. The stretching portion of our workout was...interesting.
Next Day - I spent the day sprawled in front of the television, playing a game called "who is the hottest athlete on screen?"* while I drooled over swimmers, gymnasts, and beach volleyballers, as I attempted to loosen my hamstrings.
Running Day 2 - There is another godforsaken heat wave coming soon, so I totally enjoyed the last coolish morning while we ran. There were lots of fantastic dogs out on this run, definitely a larger number than most. There's a duo singing in front of a small audience in the trial gardens and it was such a good day.
Next Day - Hey, more hot athletes. Sweet. This Olympics thing is working out for me!
Running Day 3 - The heat is back. I am not happy about this turn of events. My fingers are swelling in the heat and there is a blister forming on my ring finger where my wedding band and engagement ring are rubbing against each other. Running is fine. This week seemed...dare I say it...not too bad, and I'm thinking next week's more challenging regimen is just what I'm looking for me.
Next Day - My sister-in-law and brother-in-law come to visit. We go for a recreational bike ride. Seriously recreational. I don't know if Biker Boy and I have ever pedalled so slowly. It was eye-opening that sometimes people don't bike for all they're worth. Awesome. It took us like an hour to get around three lakes. Hee.
I'm looking forward to next week! Let's do it!
* Turns out that men from Spain are quite appealing and women from Poland and Slovakia can get my juices going.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wedding Pictures!!!
Much excitement in the Biker Boy/Neurotic Grad Student household this week when our photographer posted our wedding pictures to his site. He's a totally awesome photographer and if you need someone to do your wedding pictures in the Twin Cities area, we highly recommend him. There are about a gazillion pictures, so I'll just post a handful. This is exciting, people!!
This is amusing. It's very Madonna, circa 1985. This is BB's computer desktop and it makes me laugh. I am the angry bride!! All of this was done before the ceremony, before I had seen BB, and frankly, I was a little grumpy. Damn it people, why can't I see my man?
Still grumpy. In a bathroom. That tile was cold, people. If you look closely, you'll see I'm not really touching it. Too cold!! Where is my husband to be? Let me at him!!
Oh, family pictures are being taken and I am laughing and laughing at...something?
Ceremony. Hey, NGS! Why don't you ever stand up straight? You're as bad as Mary Kate Olsen. But that man standing next to you is looking pretty debonair.
I love the juxtaposition of the grass and the wrought iron and the pretty blue stone here! The photographer took off with our rings shortly after our ceremony for these shots. We shrugged and handed them over without a second glance. We're trusting that way.
We're standing in front of the air conditioner. Hee. We are nothing but shields!
Geez, what a ham. Get over yourself, girl. (But, damn that seamstress did an awesome job with making that dress fit just so. Kudos to you, seamstress lady.)
Sometimes people are puzzled by the fact that I don't drink alcohol. To them I ask: do I really look like I need it?
Oh, the groom is so handsome. Why is he with that chick? Seriously, dude, you could do so much better.
This is amusing. It's very Madonna, circa 1985. This is BB's computer desktop and it makes me laugh. I am the angry bride!! All of this was done before the ceremony, before I had seen BB, and frankly, I was a little grumpy. Damn it people, why can't I see my man?
Still grumpy. In a bathroom. That tile was cold, people. If you look closely, you'll see I'm not really touching it. Too cold!! Where is my husband to be? Let me at him!!
Oh, family pictures are being taken and I am laughing and laughing at...something?
Ceremony. Hey, NGS! Why don't you ever stand up straight? You're as bad as Mary Kate Olsen. But that man standing next to you is looking pretty debonair.
I love the juxtaposition of the grass and the wrought iron and the pretty blue stone here! The photographer took off with our rings shortly after our ceremony for these shots. We shrugged and handed them over without a second glance. We're trusting that way.
We're standing in front of the air conditioner. Hee. We are nothing but shields!
Geez, what a ham. Get over yourself, girl. (But, damn that seamstress did an awesome job with making that dress fit just so. Kudos to you, seamstress lady.)
Sometimes people are puzzled by the fact that I don't drink alcohol. To them I ask: do I really look like I need it?
Oh, the groom is so handsome. Why is he with that chick? Seriously, dude, you could do so much better.
I know, I know. He looks so dangerous. I'd trust that he'd defend me from knife-wielding maniacs and terrifyingly persistent bill collectors.
Okay, that's it for me and wedding related posts. I swear. Finis. (But, seriously, go look at those pictures. There are some of BB shaving. And me laughing. Why was everything so funny that day?)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Music Picks
For the last couple of days I have been at home alone a lot. For someone who is woefully underemployed at this moment, I have been busy. Doing things. BUT, the last couple of days, my husband has been going out, working hard and bringing home the bacon, and I've been putting up a new shower curtain, listening to music I picked out, and ordering lots of greeting cards from BeeDazzles Gifts and happydaystudio. This internet shopping is an addiction. Gotta start my Christmas shopping soon!!
But, the key here is that I'm listening to music of my own. No crap that my husband has picked out. And here is a list of songs that have been on repeat. (Right. We've covered that everyone thinks I have awful taste in music and maybe this list will just reinforce that, but I'm just so pleased I can listen to songs I've picked out!)
1) Stay - Sugarland - Look, I know that I write about Sugarland a lot. Jennifer Nettles has an amazing voice. I think she's wasted in country music; her range is so large she could be doing lots more. When you listen to this song, you can feel the emotion in her voice. It's definitely a song that makes you cry the first time you hear it.
2) Our Song - Taylor Swift - Dude, I know Taylor Swift is flat. Biker Boy despises my girl Taylor. But the songs she sings just touch me in the right way. I can't stop listening and cranking it up when I'm driving (or sitting at my computer).
3) I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt - I had a roommate once who always said that someone always loves someone more in a relationship. That person is in a weak position in the relationship. I know my husband loves me and he puts up with a lot from this neurotic, anxious, bitchtastic person, but I also know that I love him more than he will ever love me. And this song is all about that. You can live with it and even enjoy it, but you'll always know.
4) Bring on the Rain - Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw - Awesome. That's all I have to say. Messina is not a great singer, but she picks great songs that work with her voice and range and this song is perfect for her. I can't imagine any other person singing it.
5) Sabra Girl - Nickel Creek - I find myself listening to more and more bluegrass and more and more folk. This song is a nice combination. Quite lovely.
6) I Have a Song to Sing, O! - Peter, Paul, and Mary - This song is included to demonstrate my folk love. I was looking around for If I Had a Hammer (mostly because this song irks the boy) and stumbled on this. I have a strange (false?) memory of my father driving down the road, humming to this song. Regardless of the truth behind this memory, it makes me happy.
7) It's Just Me - Jon Bon Jovi - I have no excuse. I love the man from Jersey. Uh, I just learned that the song is from Jon Bon Jovi's second solo album (Destination Anywhere for any nerds who care) and was released in 1997. Ummm...that's the year I graduated from high school. How come I just learned of this song's existence?
8) Bigger than the Beatles - Joe Diffie - I'm allowed to be mushy. I am a newlywed.
9) This is Me You're Talking To - Trisha Yearwood - Right before our wedding, one of my ex-boyfriend's called. He wanted to tell me that he was married and had a baby. I think he kind of hoped I would collapse into a deep pit of despair, crying for all that could have been. Instead, I congratulated him, and asked about his mom (his mom was the reason I stayed with him so long - I love that lady). It was odd because he seemed really uncomfortable and nervous while we were on the phone, and it didn't make sense because we hadn't ended our relationship badly and we hadn't had trouble communicating when we were together. Bizarre.
You're smiling that smile that
You get when you're nervous
Like you don't quite know what to do
But this is me you're talking to
This is me you're talking to
10) What Kind of Gone - Chris Cagle - I don't know why this songs appeals to me. It's catchy. But I guess BB and I are better at communication that the couple in this song, because I'm not sure we'd have this same problem with the definition of gone.
11) Don't Think I Don't Think About It - Darius Rucker - This is the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish. Ha! I love it.
12) Gravity by Alison Krauss and Union Station - I'm slowly sinking under the spell of Krauss. For a long time, I was annoyed with her voice. Now I'm impressed by the intricacy of these songs.
And the people who love me still ask me
When are you coming back to town
And I answer quite frankly
When they stop building roads
And all God needs is gravity to hold me down
13) Goodbye on a Bad Day - Shannon Lawson - Ummmm...I was pretty sure I wrote about this song elsewhere, but a search through my archives shows nothing. Lawson has not quite hit it big in Nashville, but this song is pretty awesome. We've all had bad days and this is just what we need to hear on those bad days. It could be worse.
14) I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine - Beth Orton - When I was in college, my best friend and I were going on a road trip. She put together a mixed tape (one song from her music, one song from mine, one song from hers, and so on). This was one of her songs (Back to LA was another from this legendary mixed tape) and I kind of love it.
15) Why They Call it Falling - Lee Ann Womack - Womack is a bitch and a Republican. But she's sings pretty. In 1997 she got Best New Female Vocalist at the CMAs and she totally freaked out that she'd been on the music scene from a long time and resented the "new female" label. Argh. Take your CMA and be thankful for it!
But, the key here is that I'm listening to music of my own. No crap that my husband has picked out. And here is a list of songs that have been on repeat. (Right. We've covered that everyone thinks I have awful taste in music and maybe this list will just reinforce that, but I'm just so pleased I can listen to songs I've picked out!)
1) Stay - Sugarland - Look, I know that I write about Sugarland a lot. Jennifer Nettles has an amazing voice. I think she's wasted in country music; her range is so large she could be doing lots more. When you listen to this song, you can feel the emotion in her voice. It's definitely a song that makes you cry the first time you hear it.
2) Our Song - Taylor Swift - Dude, I know Taylor Swift is flat. Biker Boy despises my girl Taylor. But the songs she sings just touch me in the right way. I can't stop listening and cranking it up when I'm driving (or sitting at my computer).
3) I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt - I had a roommate once who always said that someone always loves someone more in a relationship. That person is in a weak position in the relationship. I know my husband loves me and he puts up with a lot from this neurotic, anxious, bitchtastic person, but I also know that I love him more than he will ever love me. And this song is all about that. You can live with it and even enjoy it, but you'll always know.
4) Bring on the Rain - Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw - Awesome. That's all I have to say. Messina is not a great singer, but she picks great songs that work with her voice and range and this song is perfect for her. I can't imagine any other person singing it.
5) Sabra Girl - Nickel Creek - I find myself listening to more and more bluegrass and more and more folk. This song is a nice combination. Quite lovely.
6) I Have a Song to Sing, O! - Peter, Paul, and Mary - This song is included to demonstrate my folk love. I was looking around for If I Had a Hammer (mostly because this song irks the boy) and stumbled on this. I have a strange (false?) memory of my father driving down the road, humming to this song. Regardless of the truth behind this memory, it makes me happy.
7) It's Just Me - Jon Bon Jovi - I have no excuse. I love the man from Jersey. Uh, I just learned that the song is from Jon Bon Jovi's second solo album (Destination Anywhere for any nerds who care) and was released in 1997. Ummm...that's the year I graduated from high school. How come I just learned of this song's existence?
8) Bigger than the Beatles - Joe Diffie - I'm allowed to be mushy. I am a newlywed.
9) This is Me You're Talking To - Trisha Yearwood - Right before our wedding, one of my ex-boyfriend's called. He wanted to tell me that he was married and had a baby. I think he kind of hoped I would collapse into a deep pit of despair, crying for all that could have been. Instead, I congratulated him, and asked about his mom (his mom was the reason I stayed with him so long - I love that lady). It was odd because he seemed really uncomfortable and nervous while we were on the phone, and it didn't make sense because we hadn't ended our relationship badly and we hadn't had trouble communicating when we were together. Bizarre.
You're smiling that smile that
You get when you're nervous
Like you don't quite know what to do
But this is me you're talking to
This is me you're talking to
10) What Kind of Gone - Chris Cagle - I don't know why this songs appeals to me. It's catchy. But I guess BB and I are better at communication that the couple in this song, because I'm not sure we'd have this same problem with the definition of gone.
11) Don't Think I Don't Think About It - Darius Rucker - This is the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish. Ha! I love it.
12) Gravity by Alison Krauss and Union Station - I'm slowly sinking under the spell of Krauss. For a long time, I was annoyed with her voice. Now I'm impressed by the intricacy of these songs.
And the people who love me still ask me
When are you coming back to town
And I answer quite frankly
When they stop building roads
And all God needs is gravity to hold me down
13) Goodbye on a Bad Day - Shannon Lawson - Ummmm...I was pretty sure I wrote about this song elsewhere, but a search through my archives shows nothing. Lawson has not quite hit it big in Nashville, but this song is pretty awesome. We've all had bad days and this is just what we need to hear on those bad days. It could be worse.
14) I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine - Beth Orton - When I was in college, my best friend and I were going on a road trip. She put together a mixed tape (one song from her music, one song from mine, one song from hers, and so on). This was one of her songs (Back to LA was another from this legendary mixed tape) and I kind of love it.
15) Why They Call it Falling - Lee Ann Womack - Womack is a bitch and a Republican. But she's sings pretty. In 1997 she got Best New Female Vocalist at the CMAs and she totally freaked out that she'd been on the music scene from a long time and resented the "new female" label. Argh. Take your CMA and be thankful for it!
Monday, August 11, 2008
C25K - Week Two
Here is a rundown of our Couch to 5K program progress from week one, as a refresher.
So this past week, we moved up to running for ninety seconds at a time (up from sixty) and walking for two minutes (up from ninety seconds) in between. We did this rotation about six times. This is not a program for people who want to see progress super duper quickly.
Running Day 1: Crap. I have on a really old sports bra and it's not quite up to the job. Damn.
Next Day: Ummmm...well, at least I have boobs.
Running Day 2: This was the worst day ever. The entire right side of my body was in revolt. My right ankle, in particular, did not like this. As soon as we started on our five-minute "brisk walk" workout, I was limping. And then my quads hurt. And pretty soon I was an unhappy NGS. BB looked at me, asked how I was doing, and in my quest not to whine so much, I simply said I was okay. When we got back to our apartment, I spent ten minutes on the ground, simply turning my ankle around and around in a circle, making sure it was not permanently injured.
Next Day: Whee...let's go for a bike ride! All better here!!
Running Day 3: Oh, my GOD! The weather has broken. It is now almost chilly in the morning, as opposed to miserably oppressive and disgusting. It's beautiful out and I'm enjoying the day so much that not once did I consider complaining about anything. No stitch in my side, no ankle pain, no sweat pouring down my face, no sunscreen in my eyes. I imagine that it's days like this that people actually run.
Furthermore, I'm starting to notice that stretching my legs is getting easier. We did this whole thing partially because our flexibility is somewhat like the flexibility of a tree - we bend a tiny bit, but not enough to do yoga correctly. The stretching at the end is my least favorite part of the entire thing, but I'm noticing slight improvements and can only hope it will get better.
Next Day: Whee...let's go for a bike ride!
So this past week, we moved up to running for ninety seconds at a time (up from sixty) and walking for two minutes (up from ninety seconds) in between. We did this rotation about six times. This is not a program for people who want to see progress super duper quickly.
Running Day 1: Crap. I have on a really old sports bra and it's not quite up to the job. Damn.
Next Day: Ummmm...well, at least I have boobs.
Running Day 2: This was the worst day ever. The entire right side of my body was in revolt. My right ankle, in particular, did not like this. As soon as we started on our five-minute "brisk walk" workout, I was limping. And then my quads hurt. And pretty soon I was an unhappy NGS. BB looked at me, asked how I was doing, and in my quest not to whine so much, I simply said I was okay. When we got back to our apartment, I spent ten minutes on the ground, simply turning my ankle around and around in a circle, making sure it was not permanently injured.
Next Day: Whee...let's go for a bike ride! All better here!!
Running Day 3: Oh, my GOD! The weather has broken. It is now almost chilly in the morning, as opposed to miserably oppressive and disgusting. It's beautiful out and I'm enjoying the day so much that not once did I consider complaining about anything. No stitch in my side, no ankle pain, no sweat pouring down my face, no sunscreen in my eyes. I imagine that it's days like this that people actually run.
Furthermore, I'm starting to notice that stretching my legs is getting easier. We did this whole thing partially because our flexibility is somewhat like the flexibility of a tree - we bend a tiny bit, but not enough to do yoga correctly. The stretching at the end is my least favorite part of the entire thing, but I'm noticing slight improvements and can only hope it will get better.
Next Day: Whee...let's go for a bike ride!
Friday, August 08, 2008
Letters
Dear Local Grocery Store,
Look, for all of our special food needs, we don't really ask that much of you. So, could you please restock your shelves?
Here are a list of things we have not been able to get at your fine store.
1) Koepsell's popcorn (apparently you have decided to stop carrying this brand - why?!)
2) Snow peas (I was able to find a $3.50 bag of "gourmet snow peas" in the organic section, but why do I need to buy "gourmet" vegetables? just fresh ones will do for me, thanks!)
3) Craisins (this is a recurring problem and I have been forced to go to TARGET to buy Craisins)
4) Goat cheese (totally out of stock)
5) Kitchen Basics chicken stock (totally out of stock most weeks - when it is in stock, we buy in bulk, preventing the next couple from getting any)
6) Kitchen Basics beef stock (see number 6)
7) Brown rice (seriously? you don't have rice in stock)
8) Yellow bananas (why are they green all the time?)
9) Gluten-free corn flakes (you just stopped carrying these - why?)
And, furthermore, why are all your natural foods half off? We like that our beloved NutThins are half off since we eat them all the time, but we are worried you are getting ready to stop carrying them, along with the Kind bars, and BB friendly cereals. If this happens, we're going to have to break up with you and go to a different store. This would certainly not be in your best interest and it certainly wouldn't be in ours, as a different store would be farther away and have a difficult parking lot that would make me cry.
Please address these problems.
Thanks,
**********************************************************************
Dear Postal Carrier,
Please stop cramming our mail in our mailbox. We didn't say anything when you smashed our wedding cards. We didn't say anything when you crammed our Net Flix movie in so hard you broke the DVD. We didn't say anything when you forced birthday cards in with an American Journal of Political Science and the envelope was completely destroyed. But I will not stand by and let you destroy a perfectly good edition of Sports Illustrated with college football on the cover!! Damn you and your jamming ways!! Stop it.
Thanks,
*********************************************************************
Dear In A Hurry Cyclist,
I was waiting for that SUV to turn right. When you passed me and squeezed in between the SUV and me on my bike, you almost caused me to crash into that SUV. Please don't be an asshat again.
Thanks,
Look, for all of our special food needs, we don't really ask that much of you. So, could you please restock your shelves?
Here are a list of things we have not been able to get at your fine store.
1) Koepsell's popcorn (apparently you have decided to stop carrying this brand - why?!)
2) Snow peas (I was able to find a $3.50 bag of "gourmet snow peas" in the organic section, but why do I need to buy "gourmet" vegetables? just fresh ones will do for me, thanks!)
3) Craisins (this is a recurring problem and I have been forced to go to TARGET to buy Craisins)
4) Goat cheese (totally out of stock)
5) Kitchen Basics chicken stock (totally out of stock most weeks - when it is in stock, we buy in bulk, preventing the next couple from getting any)
6) Kitchen Basics beef stock (see number 6)
7) Brown rice (seriously? you don't have rice in stock)
8) Yellow bananas (why are they green all the time?)
9) Gluten-free corn flakes (you just stopped carrying these - why?)
And, furthermore, why are all your natural foods half off? We like that our beloved NutThins are half off since we eat them all the time, but we are worried you are getting ready to stop carrying them, along with the Kind bars, and BB friendly cereals. If this happens, we're going to have to break up with you and go to a different store. This would certainly not be in your best interest and it certainly wouldn't be in ours, as a different store would be farther away and have a difficult parking lot that would make me cry.
Please address these problems.
Thanks,
**********************************************************************
Dear Postal Carrier,
Please stop cramming our mail in our mailbox. We didn't say anything when you smashed our wedding cards. We didn't say anything when you crammed our Net Flix movie in so hard you broke the DVD. We didn't say anything when you forced birthday cards in with an American Journal of Political Science and the envelope was completely destroyed. But I will not stand by and let you destroy a perfectly good edition of Sports Illustrated with college football on the cover!! Damn you and your jamming ways!! Stop it.
Thanks,
*********************************************************************
Dear In A Hurry Cyclist,
I was waiting for that SUV to turn right. When you passed me and squeezed in between the SUV and me on my bike, you almost caused me to crash into that SUV. Please don't be an asshat again.
Thanks,
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Happiness is...
...waking up, excited for the coming day.
...having a purpose and plan of attack.
...the summer breeze making the blinds knock.
...looking at him, looking at me.
...a busy downtown street, with jaywalking pedestrians, noisy Bud Light trucks, and cyclists with rolled up pants and messenger bags.
...Springsteen cranked up, windows rolled down, the miles passing in a blur.
...dinner made together, served on plates that match and shiny new flatware.
...falling asleep right away because when you crawled into bed your body was overtaken by that tired feeling that can only come after a seriously long bike ride.
...walking into a place where you haven't been in a long time, uncertain if you still belong there, and everyone tells you how much they've missed you.
...talking to an old friend with whom you've neglected your correspondence and it feels like you've never been away from her.
...guilt free trips to Baby Gap - there are birthdays coming up, you know.
...the accomplishment of having done something, no matter how minor it may seem to outsiders, that you know will make your life better.
...having a purpose and plan of attack.
...the summer breeze making the blinds knock.
...looking at him, looking at me.
...a busy downtown street, with jaywalking pedestrians, noisy Bud Light trucks, and cyclists with rolled up pants and messenger bags.
...Springsteen cranked up, windows rolled down, the miles passing in a blur.
...dinner made together, served on plates that match and shiny new flatware.
...falling asleep right away because when you crawled into bed your body was overtaken by that tired feeling that can only come after a seriously long bike ride.
...walking into a place where you haven't been in a long time, uncertain if you still belong there, and everyone tells you how much they've missed you.
...talking to an old friend with whom you've neglected your correspondence and it feels like you've never been away from her.
...guilt free trips to Baby Gap - there are birthdays coming up, you know.
...the accomplishment of having done something, no matter how minor it may seem to outsiders, that you know will make your life better.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
100 Things
I was inspired by SWOPE Files to write this. It took some doing.
1. I was married on May 24, 2008. This makes me a newlywed.
2. Biker Boy is not my husband’s real name, but just what I call him here.
3. I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
4. I was born in Germany.
5. My parents live in Michigan.
6. I have one sister.
7. She lives in Michigan, too.
8. My best friend lives in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio.
9. I don’t know why she doesn’t move here, either.
10. I listen to country music.
11. I love Garth Brooks.
12. The Harry Potter series was awesome.
13. My laptop’s name is Snowball.
14. In high school, I had a summer job at a place that had an arcade, go-karts, batting cages, mini golf, and bumper boats. I went into the batting cages once to unjam the balls and just as I walked out in front of the shooter, a ball shot out and hit me in the thigh. It left a bruise the size of a cantaloupe. I refused to go in a batting cage ever again.
15. I hate watching movies.
16. Because I get bored easily.
17. I write down everyone’s birthday in my planner and highlight it. If you tell me your birthday once, I will always send you a birthday email or card on your birthday.
18. This birthday card will probably not be on time.
19. I love to teach and see someone’s face when they understand something for the first time.
20. I love socks.
21. My bike has purple, pink, and silver streamers on it.
22. I drive a pickup truck named Monster.
23. During the planning of our wedding, Biker Boy and I only had one fight – it was over the font on the save the date cards. Seriously. Font.
24. I spend hours looking at greeting cards online. Here and here. (See #17.)
25. I like to buy baby things. Baby socks, especially.
26. I like to read books with females as main characters.
27. I am addicted to NPR.
28. Ira Glass and Terry Gross rock my NPR world.
29. I can only mention that I want a dog twice a day. Otherwise Biker Boy will get angry.
30. Fall is my favorite season.
31. Summer is my least favorite season.
32. I used to volunteer for a rape hotline and used to run a domestic violence hotline. I now volunteer for an organization that monitors court cases involving child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
33. I root for Detroit teams – the Lions, Tigers, and Wings.
34. I don’t like slides or mules or any sort of footwear that flips or flops when you walk.
35. I have never voted for a winning presidential candidate.*
36. I played clarinet in school bands for seven years.
37. I received two varsity letters in high school – one for the aforementioned marching band and one for academic excellence. Honestly.
38. Some of my favorite memories from high school are from band camp and marching band competitions.
39. I bruise very easily.
40. I am very clumsy.
41. A combination of #39 and #40 led me to have to explain to a doctor once that, no, indeed, my boyfriend does not beat me.
42. There are three pictures on my desk – an engagement picture of me and that man I married, a picture of me and my best friend, taken at her baby shower, and a picture of the little guy she gave birth to.
43. I am allergic to the world and am heavily medicated year round to deal with this.
44. I am a bad, bad, bad grad student.
45. I don’t like pickles, Brussels sprouts, or green peas.
46. I just learned that it’s not spelled brussel sprouts. Go learning!
47. If I don’t read before I go to bed, I have trouble falling asleep.
48. When I moved a year ago, I packed a box and labeled it, “Things That Aren’t Filed, Lazy!” That box is still sitting next to my desk, unopened and clearly, unfiled.
49. Biker Boy can not eat gluten.
50. This makes preparing dinner challenging.
51. I was valedictorian of my high school class.
52. I graduated summa cum laude from college.
53. My major was political science.
54. My minor was mathematics.
55. I really like math.
56. In grad school, I have been a tremendous disappointment to myself and others.
57. We have a plant named Lindsey.
58. I have a pig collection. I love pigs. But only pink ones. Cute pink ones.
59. I have watched Dirty Dancing hundreds of times.
60. I waited for more than two months to take my wedding dress to the dry cleaners after our wedding.
61. My favorite flavor of ice cream is butter pecan.
62. I don’t like chocolate. Unless it is mixed with peanut butter.
63. I love grocery shopping.
64. My favorite Pixar movie is Monsters Inc.
65. I cried when I learned that The Bryant Park Project was being canceled.
66. My engagement ring has a sapphire stone.
67. I love all Joss Whedon television shows – Buffy, Angel, and Firefly. Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog is also entertaining.
68. I am looking forward to Dollhouse next year.
69. Despite having been stopped for speeding over half a dozen times, I have never received a speeding ticket.
70. I do not drink alcohol. I never have.
71. I don’t wear shorts unless I am working out.
72. I wear skirts instead.
73. I think it would be awful to be a man in the summer with the no skirt business.
74. My husband is a great mimic – he makes animal sounds like nobody else.
75. Denzel Washington and Michael Jordan are on my list of celebrities I would lick if given the opportunity to.
76. I sing to myself all day long.
77. I don’t ever wear a watch.
78. My blood type is A positive.
79. I am allergic to sulfa drugs.
80. ET freaks me out.
81. The flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz freak me out.
82. I have had a kidney stone.
83. In 2004, I had pneumonia so bad I ended up breaking a rib.
84. Both hurt a lot.
85. I love to check the mailbox.
86. I do not know how to swim.
87. I have never broken a bone.**
88. I hate driving.
89. I regularly read trashy romance novels.
90. I have food dreams a lot. About swimming in ice cream, cramming McDonald’s fries in my mouth, and licking bread mostly. Clearly I am denying myself some important foodstsuffs here.
91. I thought Casino Royale was a royally boring movie and turned it off about forty-five minutes into it.
92. The first movie I went to see without my parents was Jurassic Park.
93. I fell asleep in the movie theater during it.
94. I never thought any man would ever ask me to marry him.
95. I imagined I would just be the crazy dog lady down the street when I was old and gray.
96. I pay my bills as soon as I get them in the mail.
97. I like to ride wooden roller coasters.
98. I like to wear shirts and dresses with ruching around the bust area.
99. I am scared of rabbits.
100. My husband is the funniest person I know. He makes me laugh hysterically every single day.
*Updated to add that this is no longer true after the 2008 election.
**Ha ha. Some of us shouldn't be so hasty. Plus, I guess it never occurred to me that a rib (#83) is an actual bone. You know, because they couldn't cast it.
1. I was married on May 24, 2008. This makes me a newlywed.
2. Biker Boy is not my husband’s real name, but just what I call him here.
3. I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
4. I was born in Germany.
5. My parents live in Michigan.
6. I have one sister.
7. She lives in Michigan, too.
8. My best friend lives in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio.
9. I don’t know why she doesn’t move here, either.
10. I listen to country music.
11. I love Garth Brooks.
12. The Harry Potter series was awesome.
13. My laptop’s name is Snowball.
14. In high school, I had a summer job at a place that had an arcade, go-karts, batting cages, mini golf, and bumper boats. I went into the batting cages once to unjam the balls and just as I walked out in front of the shooter, a ball shot out and hit me in the thigh. It left a bruise the size of a cantaloupe. I refused to go in a batting cage ever again.
15. I hate watching movies.
16. Because I get bored easily.
17. I write down everyone’s birthday in my planner and highlight it. If you tell me your birthday once, I will always send you a birthday email or card on your birthday.
18. This birthday card will probably not be on time.
19. I love to teach and see someone’s face when they understand something for the first time.
20. I love socks.
21. My bike has purple, pink, and silver streamers on it.
22. I drive a pickup truck named Monster.
23. During the planning of our wedding, Biker Boy and I only had one fight – it was over the font on the save the date cards. Seriously. Font.
24. I spend hours looking at greeting cards online. Here and here. (See #17.)
25. I like to buy baby things. Baby socks, especially.
26. I like to read books with females as main characters.
27. I am addicted to NPR.
28. Ira Glass and Terry Gross rock my NPR world.
29. I can only mention that I want a dog twice a day. Otherwise Biker Boy will get angry.
30. Fall is my favorite season.
31. Summer is my least favorite season.
32. I used to volunteer for a rape hotline and used to run a domestic violence hotline. I now volunteer for an organization that monitors court cases involving child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
33. I root for Detroit teams – the Lions, Tigers, and Wings.
34. I don’t like slides or mules or any sort of footwear that flips or flops when you walk.
35. I have never voted for a winning presidential candidate.*
36. I played clarinet in school bands for seven years.
37. I received two varsity letters in high school – one for the aforementioned marching band and one for academic excellence. Honestly.
38. Some of my favorite memories from high school are from band camp and marching band competitions.
39. I bruise very easily.
40. I am very clumsy.
41. A combination of #39 and #40 led me to have to explain to a doctor once that, no, indeed, my boyfriend does not beat me.
42. There are three pictures on my desk – an engagement picture of me and that man I married, a picture of me and my best friend, taken at her baby shower, and a picture of the little guy she gave birth to.
43. I am allergic to the world and am heavily medicated year round to deal with this.
44. I am a bad, bad, bad grad student.
45. I don’t like pickles, Brussels sprouts, or green peas.
46. I just learned that it’s not spelled brussel sprouts. Go learning!
47. If I don’t read before I go to bed, I have trouble falling asleep.
48. When I moved a year ago, I packed a box and labeled it, “Things That Aren’t Filed, Lazy!” That box is still sitting next to my desk, unopened and clearly, unfiled.
49. Biker Boy can not eat gluten.
50. This makes preparing dinner challenging.
51. I was valedictorian of my high school class.
52. I graduated summa cum laude from college.
53. My major was political science.
54. My minor was mathematics.
55. I really like math.
56. In grad school, I have been a tremendous disappointment to myself and others.
57. We have a plant named Lindsey.
58. I have a pig collection. I love pigs. But only pink ones. Cute pink ones.
59. I have watched Dirty Dancing hundreds of times.
60. I waited for more than two months to take my wedding dress to the dry cleaners after our wedding.
61. My favorite flavor of ice cream is butter pecan.
62. I don’t like chocolate. Unless it is mixed with peanut butter.
63. I love grocery shopping.
64. My favorite Pixar movie is Monsters Inc.
65. I cried when I learned that The Bryant Park Project was being canceled.
66. My engagement ring has a sapphire stone.
67. I love all Joss Whedon television shows – Buffy, Angel, and Firefly. Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog is also entertaining.
68. I am looking forward to Dollhouse next year.
69. Despite having been stopped for speeding over half a dozen times, I have never received a speeding ticket.
70. I do not drink alcohol. I never have.
71. I don’t wear shorts unless I am working out.
72. I wear skirts instead.
73. I think it would be awful to be a man in the summer with the no skirt business.
74. My husband is a great mimic – he makes animal sounds like nobody else.
75. Denzel Washington and Michael Jordan are on my list of celebrities I would lick if given the opportunity to.
76. I sing to myself all day long.
77. I don’t ever wear a watch.
78. My blood type is A positive.
79. I am allergic to sulfa drugs.
80. ET freaks me out.
81. The flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz freak me out.
82. I have had a kidney stone.
83. In 2004, I had pneumonia so bad I ended up breaking a rib.
84. Both hurt a lot.
85. I love to check the mailbox.
86. I do not know how to swim.
87. I have never broken a bone.**
88. I hate driving.
89. I regularly read trashy romance novels.
90. I have food dreams a lot. About swimming in ice cream, cramming McDonald’s fries in my mouth, and licking bread mostly. Clearly I am denying myself some important foodstsuffs here.
91. I thought Casino Royale was a royally boring movie and turned it off about forty-five minutes into it.
92. The first movie I went to see without my parents was Jurassic Park.
93. I fell asleep in the movie theater during it.
94. I never thought any man would ever ask me to marry him.
95. I imagined I would just be the crazy dog lady down the street when I was old and gray.
96. I pay my bills as soon as I get them in the mail.
97. I like to ride wooden roller coasters.
98. I like to wear shirts and dresses with ruching around the bust area.
99. I am scared of rabbits.
100. My husband is the funniest person I know. He makes me laugh hysterically every single day.
*Updated to add that this is no longer true after the 2008 election.
**Ha ha. Some of us shouldn't be so hasty. Plus, I guess it never occurred to me that a rib (#83) is an actual bone. You know, because they couldn't cast it.
Monday, August 04, 2008
C25K - Week One
Biker Boy eats a lot more than I do. He can do this because his body does not absorb anything. Unfortunately, my body does absorb and since we have moved in together, I have slowly been putting on some weight. Biker Boy has slowly been losing flexibility in his legs. We needed to do something to address these issues.
So, in addition to our regular yoga/cycling/aerobics workouts, we started the Couch to 5K running program last week. We went to a fancy schmany running store and got fitted for shoes (hideous shoes - why are running shoes so ugly?), bought ourselves a wristwatch with a stopwatch function, and were ready to go.
The first week involves sixty seconds of running followed by ninety seconds of walking for about eight rotations. Here's how this week went.
Running Day 1: My body is stupid. It stupidly runs because, hey, why not?
Next Day: Oh, shit. My inner thighs hurt. Should it hurt to...oh, my GOD!
Running Day 2: My body knows what's up this time and does not cooperate. I bitch about the heat, the stitch in my side, and how I didn't get a good look at that cute dog because we went by it too fast.
Next Day: Really? But my shins hurt. And my abs. Why do my abs hurt? Someone, anyone? Answer me this.
Running Day 3: After a scolding from my wonderful husband, I will only comment on the positive now. What a beautiful day! That interval didn't seem so bad! Good thing we're on the walking portion of the interval going up that big hill (read: slight incline)! Biker Boy glares at me.
Next Day: Everything is fine in my world. I can't wait to switch to next week's intervals!
So, in addition to our regular yoga/cycling/aerobics workouts, we started the Couch to 5K running program last week. We went to a fancy schmany running store and got fitted for shoes (hideous shoes - why are running shoes so ugly?), bought ourselves a wristwatch with a stopwatch function, and were ready to go.
The first week involves sixty seconds of running followed by ninety seconds of walking for about eight rotations. Here's how this week went.
Running Day 1: My body is stupid. It stupidly runs because, hey, why not?
Next Day: Oh, shit. My inner thighs hurt. Should it hurt to...oh, my GOD!
Running Day 2: My body knows what's up this time and does not cooperate. I bitch about the heat, the stitch in my side, and how I didn't get a good look at that cute dog because we went by it too fast.
Next Day: Really? But my shins hurt. And my abs. Why do my abs hurt? Someone, anyone? Answer me this.
Running Day 3: After a scolding from my wonderful husband, I will only comment on the positive now. What a beautiful day! That interval didn't seem so bad! Good thing we're on the walking portion of the interval going up that big hill (read: slight incline)! Biker Boy glares at me.
Next Day: Everything is fine in my world. I can't wait to switch to next week's intervals!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
And so it begins
First football post of the season. So exciting! (When our Sports Illustrated came in this week and for the first time in a long time it wasn't baseball, Olympics, or basketball, I cheered louldy. Football is back, baby!)
There are two stories I want to touch on, both of which could be semi-interesting to the uninitiated.
A 2005 Army policy allowed for "individuals with exceptional skills to pursue their professional careers while remaining on active duty." In The New York Times in April, the reasoning was explained this way:
The Army’s hope is that talented people, like elite athletes or musicians, can help promote the service and boost recruiting.
So when a West Point cadet, Caleb Campbell, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the draft, he was going to be allowed to forgo whatever active deployment was to be assigned to him (one presumes a trip to Afghanistan or Iraq) so that he could use his clout as a football safety to recruit young men and women for the military. This raised quite the commotion. Within the pages of the venerable Sports Illustrated, there were letters to the editor ranging from support of Campbell, suggesting that the fellow was just following orders and doing what the Army was telling him to do, to vocal opposition of Campbell and Detroit, suggesting that the much maligned Lions will forever be known as the team that kept a man from doing his patriotic duty.
Earlier this week, the Department of Defense overruled the Army's 2005 policy and ordered Campbell to report back to active duty. As an assistant football coach for the Army.
Because that's what America needs. Another disillusioned, disgruntled football coach.
My second story has to do with the return to the NFL of Brett Favre. In March, Favre "retired" from the NFL, where he had played for the Green Bay Packers for approximately a million years. He retired as a hero, winning Sportsman of the Year in 2007, taking his team much farther into the playoffs than anyone could have ever predicted, and with tears streaming down his grizzled face (get yourself some sunscreen, Brett!) during the press conference.
Then two weeks ago, Favre decided that he wanted back in. There were contentious disputes among the Packers, who have a new quarterback, but don't want Favre going somewhere else, Favre himself who wanted to be released from the Packers to be allowed to go to another team to play, and the commissioner of the NFL who wanted the mess to JUST BE OVER, damn it, there's no need for this brouhaha right before the season starts.
The NFL reinstated Favre today, which gives Green Bay twenty-four hours to activate Favre, trade him or release him. So Favre is going to play in the NFL this season.
He could have been known as a hero. Now he's going to be known as a crybaby who didn't know when to bow out gracefully. I respected Favre, but now whenever he comes onto my radar screen, all I will be able to remember are these last few weeks when he couldn't act like a mature adult who had made a decision that should have been impossible to undo.
But, on the bright side, if he stays with Green Bay, I have even more reason to root as loudly as I can against them!
There are two stories I want to touch on, both of which could be semi-interesting to the uninitiated.
A 2005 Army policy allowed for "individuals with exceptional skills to pursue their professional careers while remaining on active duty." In The New York Times in April, the reasoning was explained this way:
The Army’s hope is that talented people, like elite athletes or musicians, can help promote the service and boost recruiting.
So when a West Point cadet, Caleb Campbell, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the draft, he was going to be allowed to forgo whatever active deployment was to be assigned to him (one presumes a trip to Afghanistan or Iraq) so that he could use his clout as a football safety to recruit young men and women for the military. This raised quite the commotion. Within the pages of the venerable Sports Illustrated, there were letters to the editor ranging from support of Campbell, suggesting that the fellow was just following orders and doing what the Army was telling him to do, to vocal opposition of Campbell and Detroit, suggesting that the much maligned Lions will forever be known as the team that kept a man from doing his patriotic duty.
Earlier this week, the Department of Defense overruled the Army's 2005 policy and ordered Campbell to report back to active duty. As an assistant football coach for the Army.
Because that's what America needs. Another disillusioned, disgruntled football coach.
My second story has to do with the return to the NFL of Brett Favre. In March, Favre "retired" from the NFL, where he had played for the Green Bay Packers for approximately a million years. He retired as a hero, winning Sportsman of the Year in 2007, taking his team much farther into the playoffs than anyone could have ever predicted, and with tears streaming down his grizzled face (get yourself some sunscreen, Brett!) during the press conference.
Then two weeks ago, Favre decided that he wanted back in. There were contentious disputes among the Packers, who have a new quarterback, but don't want Favre going somewhere else, Favre himself who wanted to be released from the Packers to be allowed to go to another team to play, and the commissioner of the NFL who wanted the mess to JUST BE OVER, damn it, there's no need for this brouhaha right before the season starts.
The NFL reinstated Favre today, which gives Green Bay twenty-four hours to activate Favre, trade him or release him. So Favre is going to play in the NFL this season.
He could have been known as a hero. Now he's going to be known as a crybaby who didn't know when to bow out gracefully. I respected Favre, but now whenever he comes onto my radar screen, all I will be able to remember are these last few weeks when he couldn't act like a mature adult who had made a decision that should have been impossible to undo.
But, on the bright side, if he stays with Green Bay, I have even more reason to root as loudly as I can against them!
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Caregiver
Yay! In lieu of writing anything substantial, I will give you the results of an Internet survey. I am a caregiver. Shocking, I know.
| You Are An ESFJ |
 You are sympathetic and caring, putting friends and family first. A creature of habit, you prefer routines and have trouble with change. You love being in groups - whether you're helping people or working on a project. You are good at listening, laughing, and bringing out the best in people. In love, you value harmony and mutual understanding. You will apologize or give someone the benefit of the doubt, if it means getting over a fight sooner. At work, you are good at building relationships and connecting with people. You would make a great nurse, social worker, or teacher. How you see yourself: Organized, dependable, co-operative When other people don't get you, they see you as: Opinionated, critical, and know-it-all |
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