Or, back to the saddle again?
I've slept since then (though hardly well or a lot), so bear with me as I attempt to recount The Round Up.
Rob and his son having fully prepared our horses' tack, all we had left to do was mount up and make sure they were watered well before we headed off to meet up with the other folks. One thing was instantly clear about our mounts--they were very close friends and did not ken to being separated. When one trotted, the other trotted, when one walked, the others walked. When one galloped...we all screamed our heads of and nearly died (totally just exaggerating, mom!)...but that's a story for a later time.
We met up with the other riders--the real horsemen and women who brought their own horses and trailers and gear. It would have been a perfect opportunity for anyone of them to get snippy or holier than thou, or even just weirdly protective, but everyone was perfectly lovely and treated us and our rental horses as equals. It was pretty cool.
We got the lowdown on where we'd be headed, approximately where we would find the cattle (they had actually already been rounded up for the most part and brought in to a basin a few miles from the ranch--to save us all a lot of time and hassle), and where we were going to be bringing them. And then we rode. And rode. And then we rode some more. It was beautiful and sunny and cool, and just about as close to heaven as I could imagine. If there had been chocolate and a live band, it could have passed.
When we finally got to the basin where the cattle were hangin out, there were a few yet that had to be wrangled. We let the more experienced riders do this, instead opting to sit on our horses and listen to the incessant bleating of the calves and the lowing of the cows as they wondered what the HELL was going on. Damn, cattle are a noisy lot! Oddly, though, the acoustics were so amazing in the basin that even over the cacophony of the cattle, we could hear every word of every conversation being held--we could even hear the folks on the far edge of the basin chatting up the cows they were trying to bring in closer. Perhaps it was a shepherd who originally "invented" the outdoor amphitheatre?
Anyway, after we got all the strays collected, it was time to start moving them all back towards the ranch. We again had positions assigned along the creek bed to ensure that no one bolted from the pack and tried to backtrack into the sunset. I did not fully understand Princess' attachment to the other horses until I was given a spot in a tucked-back area, out of sight from nearly everyone else. She whinnied and pawed at the ground and shook her head and was generally a right bitch. I had to continuously walk her in circles just to keep her busy.
And then, all of the sudden...cattle! Many and lots of cattle, ambling by, wailing and moaning as though they were on some sort of cow-death-march (perhaps after all they were about to go through at the ranch, they were only wishing for death as a less torturous alternative). Just when I thought that this was all for show and that I would never have to actually *do* anything, there they were! A momma and her yearling broke ranks about 20 yards, one 2ft ledge, and 1 treeline from me. The fellow manning that spot had just left it to hustle in another errant pair, leaving a big ole hole that this couple wasted no time filling. I gave Princess a nudge and she LEAPED up the ledge (scaring the pee outta me) and in front of the cow and her calf. They looked stunned for half a second and then grudgingly got back in line, bellowing all the while.
Woohoo! I was a cowpoke for reals! I was so proud of myself, and of course NO one saw it, cos they were too busy doing the same thing. But it was cool, trust me!
After we got the cattle out of the creek bed, it was just an easy walk back to the ranch with them hugging the fenceline and us sort of walking along beside them telling them to hurry the hell up. Damned hoof-draggers.
After we got them little doggies (ha!) safely to the work pens, we turned our horses towards camp. And woe is me for forgetting the nature of the trail horse. Slow to go out, but DAMN when it's time to go home they always tend to move a little faster. A lot faster in our case, because S and I were a little pony-crazed and are speed demons to boot. So we nudged them from a trot to a canter, and then when they realised they were so close to "the Barn", they took off like bats outta Hades-full gallop. I'm fairly certain I was screaming like a banshee (with glee more than fear...but a little fear), and I know for a fact that I was gripping the pommel like it was the last remaining hope in a world of doom (it pretty much was, because at that point I'd lost at least one of my stirrups and I was kind of flailing).
It was terrifying, but OH it was fun! But it just meant that we were back in camp that much sooner and it was time to give the horses a rest and go eat lunch. Yep. All this was before lunch on the first day!!
Of course I don't have photos of any of this, because I didn't have saddlebags, and I wasn't about to risk losing my camera. Besides, when all the good stuff was goin' down, I was far too busy actually doin my job to take snapshots. ;)
There are a few other good stories to tell, and I'll tell them. But most of the rest of the weekend was trailrides, eating, sleeping, reading, eating, and more trailrides. Oh, and the Ride Up Bar. Oh yeah. Mimosas and Bloody Marys on horseback? Heck yeah.
More on that later.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
First Things First (Linkolicious!)
Something cool happened today.
I went for a Mountain Bike Ride at Pemberton this morning. It was about 1 hour and 45 minutes worth of climbing and scrambling and slogging through sand and blazing down hill. When we got back to the parking lot and started loading up, changing clothes, and getting ready to hit town for a good breakfast, I noticed that my little metal wallet(mine is orange, not pink!) was missing. I ransacked the xTerra, had other people go through my Camelbak in case I was just momentarily blind, and finally threatened to re-ride the entire trail to look for it.
Fortunately, the folks I was with talked me down from that stance, reminding me of the heat (it got up to around 100 degrees today!! In October!!) and the fact that it was highly likely that someone would find the wallet before I did and I'd just be wasting my time. So I stopped off at the visitors' station to give my description and my phone number, in case anyone happened to turn it in.
A fellow who happened to be there purchasing a yearly pass to the park asked where I thought I might have lost it. I showed him our route on the map, and the approximate location where we'd stopped and I dug a GU pack out of the top pocket of the Camelbak. My wallet had been in the same pocket, and I felt pretty confident that I'd just fumbled around enough to knock it out. He said he was just getting ready to head out on the trails and that he'd keep an eye out for it. I gave him my thanks and figured that'd be the last of it, since..well..stuff like that never works out, does it?
IT DOES!!
Shortly after arriving home and determining to thoroughly clean out the entire vehicle in case the wallet had slid between the seats or gotten buried under a heap of papers, my phone rang. The caller ID said "Blocked" but I figured I'd take a chance and answer it.
"Is this Kerri?" Yes! Yes it is! "Hi, this is McDowell Mt. Park Visitors' Center calling; someone has turned in your wallet. The gentleman is standing right here, would you like to talk to him?" Wow, yes, please! "Hi, this is the guy you talked to earlier--the wallet was exactly where you said it would be. I can meet you somewhere if you'd like...."
After recovering from fainting, taking a moment to do a little happy dance, give prayer to the Karma Gods, and catching my breath, I agreed to meet him on his way back into town.
He warned me that he saw a coyote loping away from the scene when he arrived and that I might ought to watch my charges for a while, lest any random ACME purchases show up (i.e. dynamite, bird feed, or road runner traps). :D
He also refused to accept my offers to send him some sort of thank you (a gift card to the bike shop of his choice, for example), the only part of this story that sucks. So do something nice for a stranger, won't you? Pass it on?
I'll get back to the horsey trails soon, really. But my Mini-Machine's battery is about to poof, so I gotta go juice it up. I need a nap too, come to think of it.
I went for a Mountain Bike Ride at Pemberton this morning. It was about 1 hour and 45 minutes worth of climbing and scrambling and slogging through sand and blazing down hill. When we got back to the parking lot and started loading up, changing clothes, and getting ready to hit town for a good breakfast, I noticed that my little metal wallet(mine is orange, not pink!) was missing. I ransacked the xTerra, had other people go through my Camelbak in case I was just momentarily blind, and finally threatened to re-ride the entire trail to look for it.
Fortunately, the folks I was with talked me down from that stance, reminding me of the heat (it got up to around 100 degrees today!! In October!!) and the fact that it was highly likely that someone would find the wallet before I did and I'd just be wasting my time. So I stopped off at the visitors' station to give my description and my phone number, in case anyone happened to turn it in.
A fellow who happened to be there purchasing a yearly pass to the park asked where I thought I might have lost it. I showed him our route on the map, and the approximate location where we'd stopped and I dug a GU pack out of the top pocket of the Camelbak. My wallet had been in the same pocket, and I felt pretty confident that I'd just fumbled around enough to knock it out. He said he was just getting ready to head out on the trails and that he'd keep an eye out for it. I gave him my thanks and figured that'd be the last of it, since..well..stuff like that never works out, does it?
IT DOES!!
Shortly after arriving home and determining to thoroughly clean out the entire vehicle in case the wallet had slid between the seats or gotten buried under a heap of papers, my phone rang. The caller ID said "Blocked" but I figured I'd take a chance and answer it.
"Is this Kerri?" Yes! Yes it is! "Hi, this is McDowell Mt. Park Visitors' Center calling; someone has turned in your wallet. The gentleman is standing right here, would you like to talk to him?" Wow, yes, please! "Hi, this is the guy you talked to earlier--the wallet was exactly where you said it would be. I can meet you somewhere if you'd like...."
After recovering from fainting, taking a moment to do a little happy dance, give prayer to the Karma Gods, and catching my breath, I agreed to meet him on his way back into town.
He warned me that he saw a coyote loping away from the scene when he arrived and that I might ought to watch my charges for a while, lest any random ACME purchases show up (i.e. dynamite, bird feed, or road runner traps). :D
He also refused to accept my offers to send him some sort of thank you (a gift card to the bike shop of his choice, for example), the only part of this story that sucks. So do something nice for a stranger, won't you? Pass it on?
I'll get back to the horsey trails soon, really. But my Mini-Machine's battery is about to poof, so I gotta go juice it up. I need a nap too, come to think of it.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Got A Good Grip?
Hope so, cos you're gonna have to keep hangin....
I went down to let the dogs out one more time before bed and got caught up in the trainwreck that is television. "House" was on, and before I could save myself, I had gotten sucked in. So it's late, and I'm sleepy, and I don't want to tell a long story about how awesome the cattle drive was.
Until I return, enjoy this sweet photo of Princess during her "Are you still on my back?" phase of Saturday afternoon:
I went down to let the dogs out one more time before bed and got caught up in the trainwreck that is television. "House" was on, and before I could save myself, I had gotten sucked in. So it's late, and I'm sleepy, and I don't want to tell a long story about how awesome the cattle drive was.
Until I return, enjoy this sweet photo of Princess during her "Are you still on my back?" phase of Saturday afternoon:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Head 'em up, move 'em out...
Yeah, yeah, I know I promised this to you yesterday, but I dragged myself to bed later than I had hoped to and I just wanted to sleep. You may point out that it's later still tonight than even Monday's post, but this is by choice. I decided that since the dogs are plotting against me EVER getting a full night's sleep this week (Bucket crying to go out and poo at 2:30am Tuesday morning, Delilah barking at who knows what this morning at 4am), that I'd just roll with it and quit trying to go to bed early. But I digress.
Country Catering and Cattle Round Ups. That's why you're here. I may not make it much past breakfast today, because, well...I am tired. But we'll get there eventually.
So there was this big whiteboard advertising breakfast from 6am to 6:45am that we had seen the night before. And sure enough, 6am rolled around and there was an honest-to-god breakfast bell. It wasn't a triangle or an iron bell like we used to have waaaay back when on "the farm", but it was a giant oversized copper cowbell of sorts. And they weren't shy about using it to let us know that it was time to get up and get movin.
Breakfast done cowboy style, but with a bit more finesse... Pancakes (I passed), bacon (I sure as heck didn't!), eggs to order, fresh fruit, juice, coffee, cocoa. It was an amazing spread and we ate as though we wouldn't see food again for days. Probably a bad choice, looking back on it, as it was just a gateway meal to many other overindulgences, but boy was it good.
We met up with our rental horse wrangler, Rob, who gave us our assignments. My horse? Princess, a formal barrel horse with "some spunk". Eep. Considering that I hadn't ridden in something like 6 or 7 years, and then only for a short short stint around the jousting ranch in OKC, I was the tiniest bit nervous about whether or not I would be able to sit a "spunky" horse. S would be on Dunbar, and Roommate K would be on Sunflower, whom S had ridden the year previous and had warned us was a big ole stick in the mud. If K was at all disappointed, she didn't show it, but took it in perfect stride.
We went and got our cowduds on (yes, we ate in our pajamas, but lest anyone worry themselves about me traipsing around in a tank top and holy pajama bottoms, let me remind you that we were camping. on a ranch. in october. I was sharing a tent with two other people, and it was chilly. I was more clothed than I often am during the Phoenix summer!), and went to where the horses were kept. To our surprise, Rob and his son had gotten all of our horses completely ready and saddled. All we had to do was water them and tighten the cinches and make sure our stirrups were set to the right height.
I really do have photos, and I really will post some someday. But for now I'll just tell you that while I dreamed for months of having a paint pony or a buckskin, and dreaded the ever-popular "brown horse", that's pretty much what Princess was. Almost a Bay, but too scruffy to pass. Not light enough to pass for Sorrel... (and here I act like I know what the hell I'm talking about! ha!). But she was a tall horse, and relatively narrow, for which I would be eternally grateful. She tested me a bit, but we eventually got along like...well, like a trail horse and a noob rider. :)
Dunbar was a stocky little thing, and even sassier than Princess, and more brown and plain. But he totally suited S--they looked like they'd been together forever. And Sunflower was the perfect match for Roommate K...a gorgeous palomino paint that looked like it had been created just for the shiny, bubbly blond.
After we watered up and rode around the camp for a bit to get adjusted, it was time to ride out.
And true to form, I've exhausted myself in the telling thus far, and my eyes are stinging me to sleep. So the actual tale of the ride will have to wait, yet again!
I like to keep you hangin. ;)
Country Catering and Cattle Round Ups. That's why you're here. I may not make it much past breakfast today, because, well...I am tired. But we'll get there eventually.
So there was this big whiteboard advertising breakfast from 6am to 6:45am that we had seen the night before. And sure enough, 6am rolled around and there was an honest-to-god breakfast bell. It wasn't a triangle or an iron bell like we used to have waaaay back when on "the farm", but it was a giant oversized copper cowbell of sorts. And they weren't shy about using it to let us know that it was time to get up and get movin.
Breakfast done cowboy style, but with a bit more finesse... Pancakes (I passed), bacon (I sure as heck didn't!), eggs to order, fresh fruit, juice, coffee, cocoa. It was an amazing spread and we ate as though we wouldn't see food again for days. Probably a bad choice, looking back on it, as it was just a gateway meal to many other overindulgences, but boy was it good.
We met up with our rental horse wrangler, Rob, who gave us our assignments. My horse? Princess, a formal barrel horse with "some spunk". Eep. Considering that I hadn't ridden in something like 6 or 7 years, and then only for a short short stint around the jousting ranch in OKC, I was the tiniest bit nervous about whether or not I would be able to sit a "spunky" horse. S would be on Dunbar, and Roommate K would be on Sunflower, whom S had ridden the year previous and had warned us was a big ole stick in the mud. If K was at all disappointed, she didn't show it, but took it in perfect stride.
We went and got our cowduds on (yes, we ate in our pajamas, but lest anyone worry themselves about me traipsing around in a tank top and holy pajama bottoms, let me remind you that we were camping. on a ranch. in october. I was sharing a tent with two other people, and it was chilly. I was more clothed than I often am during the Phoenix summer!), and went to where the horses were kept. To our surprise, Rob and his son had gotten all of our horses completely ready and saddled. All we had to do was water them and tighten the cinches and make sure our stirrups were set to the right height.
I really do have photos, and I really will post some someday. But for now I'll just tell you that while I dreamed for months of having a paint pony or a buckskin, and dreaded the ever-popular "brown horse", that's pretty much what Princess was. Almost a Bay, but too scruffy to pass. Not light enough to pass for Sorrel... (and here I act like I know what the hell I'm talking about! ha!). But she was a tall horse, and relatively narrow, for which I would be eternally grateful. She tested me a bit, but we eventually got along like...well, like a trail horse and a noob rider. :)
Dunbar was a stocky little thing, and even sassier than Princess, and more brown and plain. But he totally suited S--they looked like they'd been together forever. And Sunflower was the perfect match for Roommate K...a gorgeous palomino paint that looked like it had been created just for the shiny, bubbly blond.
After we watered up and rode around the camp for a bit to get adjusted, it was time to ride out.
And true to form, I've exhausted myself in the telling thus far, and my eyes are stinging me to sleep. So the actual tale of the ride will have to wait, yet again!
I like to keep you hangin. ;)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Poke Poke Poke*
So last week I was entirely too excited and busy to tell you about my then upcoming weekend. I wanted to just jot a quick note about it, but was afraid that I would just ramble on and on and never get any sleep (such as I am likely about to do).
What could possibly have been so exciting, you ask? Another epic mountain bike ride? A fantastic hike? A trip to Parts Unknown?
No no no. I went on a cattle drive! My friend S mentioned it to me months ago when we first met. Said she: "There is this cattle drive in October, and anyone can go and they rent horses if you don't have one and it's full of win and awesomesauce." Said I: "Count me in!"
And time passed and I got the infos and I sent in my registration and my horse rental fees. I got a three man tent, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad of my own (thanks, Folks, for the REI gift certificate!!). I made a concerted effort to shed a few pounds, lest I break the back of whatever pitiful pony I got to ride. I got out my old black motorcycle boots and planned and packed my gear for days before hand (although not as painstakingly as my friend Shanny might have ;) ).
Thursday came and S and Roommate arrived to whisk me away to The Ranch. The place is just about an hour north of Phoenix, but we got a late start and arrived long after dark. We managed to set up my never-before-used tent easily (/flex!), and got ready for a good night's sleep before the 6am breakfast bell set to clangin.
Little did we know that we were surrounded by pens full of deer, and these deer had the most peculiar and baleful calls ever heard. We were caught up being simultaneously creeped out and curious about these calls when the horses started whinnying. As we lay cramped together in the tent listening to the cacophony, Roommate K ventured to ask what the horses might have been saying to one another. S was only too happy to oblige us with a translation, which included her very own rendition of "pony speak". I'm sure our camping neighbours were befuddled, to say the least, at the arrival of these three girls whinnying and giggling til all hours in their tent.
Tomorrow, 6am Cowboy breakfast, and my first cattle drive!
*get it? Cowpoke? :)
What could possibly have been so exciting, you ask? Another epic mountain bike ride? A fantastic hike? A trip to Parts Unknown?
No no no. I went on a cattle drive! My friend S mentioned it to me months ago when we first met. Said she: "There is this cattle drive in October, and anyone can go and they rent horses if you don't have one and it's full of win and awesomesauce." Said I: "Count me in!"
And time passed and I got the infos and I sent in my registration and my horse rental fees. I got a three man tent, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad of my own (thanks, Folks, for the REI gift certificate!!). I made a concerted effort to shed a few pounds, lest I break the back of whatever pitiful pony I got to ride. I got out my old black motorcycle boots and planned and packed my gear for days before hand (although not as painstakingly as my friend Shanny might have ;) ).
Thursday came and S and Roommate arrived to whisk me away to The Ranch. The place is just about an hour north of Phoenix, but we got a late start and arrived long after dark. We managed to set up my never-before-used tent easily (/flex!), and got ready for a good night's sleep before the 6am breakfast bell set to clangin.
Little did we know that we were surrounded by pens full of deer, and these deer had the most peculiar and baleful calls ever heard. We were caught up being simultaneously creeped out and curious about these calls when the horses started whinnying. As we lay cramped together in the tent listening to the cacophony, Roommate K ventured to ask what the horses might have been saying to one another. S was only too happy to oblige us with a translation, which included her very own rendition of "pony speak". I'm sure our camping neighbours were befuddled, to say the least, at the arrival of these three girls whinnying and giggling til all hours in their tent.
Tomorrow, 6am Cowboy breakfast, and my first cattle drive!
*get it? Cowpoke? :)
Sunday, October 04, 2009
October
Time, she does fly. It's October already? I'm certainly not complaining, as the beginning of month ten has ushered in a cold front (ha!) of sorts for us desert dwellers. The mornings are crisp again, and the highs have hovered around 90 for the later part of this week, and it has been glorious.
Of course, that also means that I don't have any more excuses for not getting off my butt and out of the house. To that end, I went out today and bought some new "road" tires for my old Giant Cadex. I'm going to use it as my commuter bike so that I don't have to swap out tires on my Jamis, or remove the panniers and trunk every time I want to go for an actual mt. bike ride. I don't aim to ride every day of the week, but at 10 miles round trip, even a few days a week will be a good addition of exercise and fresh air to my world--not to mention a bit of a savings on gas for the Jeep.
Now, if I and the other 2 bike commuters at work could just convince the powers that be to put a shower into one of our ginormous bathrooms at work, we'd be set. Until then, I'll just stock up on baby wipes and be thankful that I work in a non-public office with a bunch of engineers and geeks who think dressing up is tucking their t-shirts into a pair of jeans.
Of course, that also means that I don't have any more excuses for not getting off my butt and out of the house. To that end, I went out today and bought some new "road" tires for my old Giant Cadex. I'm going to use it as my commuter bike so that I don't have to swap out tires on my Jamis, or remove the panniers and trunk every time I want to go for an actual mt. bike ride. I don't aim to ride every day of the week, but at 10 miles round trip, even a few days a week will be a good addition of exercise and fresh air to my world--not to mention a bit of a savings on gas for the Jeep.
Now, if I and the other 2 bike commuters at work could just convince the powers that be to put a shower into one of our ginormous bathrooms at work, we'd be set. Until then, I'll just stock up on baby wipes and be thankful that I work in a non-public office with a bunch of engineers and geeks who think dressing up is tucking their t-shirts into a pair of jeans.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Big Brother is watching...your click throughs?
I went to an offsite seminar for work today. It was a training/informational workshop regarding email marketing through a company called Constant Contact.
While from a business perspective it was totally exciting to learn about the amazing amount of information they could collect and compile regarding customers' response to emails, from a personal perspective it was downright creepy.
They can tell what time of day you opened that email. They can tell whether or not you clicked any links--and which links you clicked! They can tell if you forwarded the email, and--in some cases--whether the person you forwarded it to has opened/clicked through.
And again, I was really excited to learn about all this and think of ways that it could help our little company market our products more effectively... The resources, tools, and data available through a company like this (there are many others in the same business; Constant Contact certainly haven't monopolised the market) are simply incredible, and invaluable if used correctly and consistently.
Still, I couldn't help but be a little creeped out by the thought that the next email I open is going to tell some stranger in a cubicle somewhere more about me than it ought. The next product I check out in that same email is going to peg me as "A cyclist" or "A camper" or "A Tree Hugger". It sort of makes me want to click on all the wrong things, just to jack with the system and see what kind of tweaked list it gets me into. Maybe I can get REI to stop sending me camping and cycling related emails, and start targeting me with climbing and scuba diving gearmails.
It was an interesting day, indeed. But hey, I got some amazing Thai food and 6 hours out of the office. Almost worth the feeling of paranoia instilled in me.
While from a business perspective it was totally exciting to learn about the amazing amount of information they could collect and compile regarding customers' response to emails, from a personal perspective it was downright creepy.
They can tell what time of day you opened that email. They can tell whether or not you clicked any links--and which links you clicked! They can tell if you forwarded the email, and--in some cases--whether the person you forwarded it to has opened/clicked through.
And again, I was really excited to learn about all this and think of ways that it could help our little company market our products more effectively... The resources, tools, and data available through a company like this (there are many others in the same business; Constant Contact certainly haven't monopolised the market) are simply incredible, and invaluable if used correctly and consistently.
Still, I couldn't help but be a little creeped out by the thought that the next email I open is going to tell some stranger in a cubicle somewhere more about me than it ought. The next product I check out in that same email is going to peg me as "A cyclist" or "A camper" or "A Tree Hugger". It sort of makes me want to click on all the wrong things, just to jack with the system and see what kind of tweaked list it gets me into. Maybe I can get REI to stop sending me camping and cycling related emails, and start targeting me with climbing and scuba diving gearmails.
It was an interesting day, indeed. But hey, I got some amazing Thai food and 6 hours out of the office. Almost worth the feeling of paranoia instilled in me.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Summer Hiatus
Are you buying that? I just made it up, but it's essentially what happened. In normal parts of the world, summer is the time for playing outdoors and having adventures and whatnot. In Phoenix, summer is the time for hiding in the shaded air conditioning for all daylight hours and most of the night.
I didn't figure that anyone would be terribly excited to hear about the many ways one can find to slack off in the A/C during the Phoenix summer, so I simply quit writing. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
However, the temperature is at least starting to hint at taking a downturn here (it gets all the way down to 75 degrees at night now, instead of hovering around 100, which means I can wear a regular t-shirt on my 6am dog walks instead of the ever-present tank top), and so the calendar starts to fill with things like biking excursions and cattle round-ups. Yes. More on that later.
I just got back today from a trip back to Kansas City to visit my best friend and my parents. It was a quick long weekend, just so that I could see my friend as a pregnant woman before baby number two makes her arrival. I missed it the first time around (saving the photos), and have never forgiven myself for it. Babies and the whole giving birth thing have always freaked me out, so I'll just say that it was pretty crazy seeing my best high school buddy three weeks from doing so.
I not so secretly hoped that she would go into labour while I was there so I could be around for it, but not even being jostled around by zealous Social Distortion fans at the concert on Saturday night had any real effect. C is just not ready for the world yet, I suppose, and you can't blame the kid for wanting to take her time. It's a jungle out here, after all.
Anyway. With the onset of fall and cooler weather, I hope to be getting out of the house more and have some stories to tell. Next big adventure: the aforementioned Cattle Round Up. I had a few small adventures a bit later in the summer that may bear mentioning, but we'll just have to see about that another time. K and her babies wear me out, and I've got to get some shuteye.
I didn't figure that anyone would be terribly excited to hear about the many ways one can find to slack off in the A/C during the Phoenix summer, so I simply quit writing. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
However, the temperature is at least starting to hint at taking a downturn here (it gets all the way down to 75 degrees at night now, instead of hovering around 100, which means I can wear a regular t-shirt on my 6am dog walks instead of the ever-present tank top), and so the calendar starts to fill with things like biking excursions and cattle round-ups. Yes. More on that later.
I just got back today from a trip back to Kansas City to visit my best friend and my parents. It was a quick long weekend, just so that I could see my friend as a pregnant woman before baby number two makes her arrival. I missed it the first time around (saving the photos), and have never forgiven myself for it. Babies and the whole giving birth thing have always freaked me out, so I'll just say that it was pretty crazy seeing my best high school buddy three weeks from doing so.
I not so secretly hoped that she would go into labour while I was there so I could be around for it, but not even being jostled around by zealous Social Distortion fans at the concert on Saturday night had any real effect. C is just not ready for the world yet, I suppose, and you can't blame the kid for wanting to take her time. It's a jungle out here, after all.
Anyway. With the onset of fall and cooler weather, I hope to be getting out of the house more and have some stories to tell. Next big adventure: the aforementioned Cattle Round Up. I had a few small adventures a bit later in the summer that may bear mentioning, but we'll just have to see about that another time. K and her babies wear me out, and I've got to get some shuteye.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Edumacation
Today, as most students are celebrating the end of the school year, I'm just getting started with my photography class. Yes! I finally signed myself up for a class so that I will become a little more familiar with (and a lot less scared of) my new camera. Tonight was the first night of 6 classes-including one field trip to the Desert Botanical Gardens. It started with a quiz to prove how nublet we all are, and ended with 2 homework assignments to produce four photographs proving our calculated experimentations with shutter speed and aperture.
I'm wildly excited by the whole thing, despite being nervous and freaked out just a day or so ago. I'm still a little nervous and anxious about the possibility that I'm really not a photographer, but just lucky with a camera so far. I suppose there has to be room to learn, however. So perhaps even if I'm not now, I will someday be.
I'll probably be doing the homework this weekend as part of it involves bright sunlight and moving vehicles. I'll let you know how that goes. :)
I'm wildly excited by the whole thing, despite being nervous and freaked out just a day or so ago. I'm still a little nervous and anxious about the possibility that I'm really not a photographer, but just lucky with a camera so far. I suppose there has to be room to learn, however. So perhaps even if I'm not now, I will someday be.
I'll probably be doing the homework this weekend as part of it involves bright sunlight and moving vehicles. I'll let you know how that goes. :)
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Downhill is a Lie
I signed up for the Flagstaff to Sedona ride on the mistaken belief that it was "all downhill". I knew, of course, that it wouldn't *all* be down hill, but we were led to believe by several sources that it was at least primarily downhill. This turned out to be an awful awful lie.
One fellow, after the ride, posted his GPS results here (click on the "player" button on the far right to see a pretty cool animation of the ride). Apparently we climbed 2143feet and descended 4824 feet. That, my friends, is a LOT of climbing. Especially when the bulk of the trail looks like this:
This meant that we spent a lot of our time doing this:
The pine needles mixed with the clayey mud formed what must be the world's strongest natural cement on our bikes. Several times, people with caliper breaks found that their wheels would simply no longer turn. Folks like me (a bit on the heavier side) found that even after cleaning all the gunk off of our tires, it still felt like we were running on flats. It wasn't like riding through mud...it was, literally, riding through mud.
Oh, and did I mention that it was a 40+ mile ride? Yes. Bike computers varied, but were in the range of 39-41 miles. I had no business on a ride like this, but feeling confident that it was "All Downhill", I figured I could manage. Well. What the organizers advertised as a 4-5 hour ride ended up taking close to 7(nearly 8 according to the above linked data, which I think is slightly off), I think? Perhaps longer. And it was mostly because yours truly averaged approximately 6mph--even with the 30+mph downhills factored in. I just wasn't ready for it. But with many stops and a bit of walking up some of the more heinous climbs, I made it. And while it was all beautiful, the views towards the end of the ride down Schnebly Hill Road were just...awesome. Here are some more shots from the day. I'll let most of them speak for themselves, as I am both tired and lazy at this point in the day.
I busted my chain about 3 miles into the ride. Good times. Fortunately there were mechanically inclined people there to help. And people with cameras and no sympathy. :)
Don't let this photo fool you. I was usually *much* farther behind the pack than this...
After trudging through the rain up Schnebly Hill with a sore knee and thoughts of heralding one of the many Forest Service Trucks, we (the other 2 fellows willing to take it easy with me) simultaneously topped a hill and rounded a corner to see the views in the last 4 photos. It was a completely jaw-dropping moment. I'm fairly certain that I squealed, dropped my bike and ran to the edge of the road/overlook and just gaped for several minutes. I won't say that I forgot the incredible pain and shame of the previous part of the ride, climbing and trudging through all that mud--but I will say that these views really did make it all worthwhile.
Well, the views and the bragging rights. I rode a 40 mile bike ride, uphill, through mud and rain. I rode from Flagstaff to Sedona!
One fellow, after the ride, posted his GPS results here (click on the "player" button on the far right to see a pretty cool animation of the ride). Apparently we climbed 2143feet and descended 4824 feet. That, my friends, is a LOT of climbing. Especially when the bulk of the trail looks like this:
This meant that we spent a lot of our time doing this:
The pine needles mixed with the clayey mud formed what must be the world's strongest natural cement on our bikes. Several times, people with caliper breaks found that their wheels would simply no longer turn. Folks like me (a bit on the heavier side) found that even after cleaning all the gunk off of our tires, it still felt like we were running on flats. It wasn't like riding through mud...it was, literally, riding through mud.
Oh, and did I mention that it was a 40+ mile ride? Yes. Bike computers varied, but were in the range of 39-41 miles. I had no business on a ride like this, but feeling confident that it was "All Downhill", I figured I could manage. Well. What the organizers advertised as a 4-5 hour ride ended up taking close to 7(nearly 8 according to the above linked data, which I think is slightly off), I think? Perhaps longer. And it was mostly because yours truly averaged approximately 6mph--even with the 30+mph downhills factored in. I just wasn't ready for it. But with many stops and a bit of walking up some of the more heinous climbs, I made it. And while it was all beautiful, the views towards the end of the ride down Schnebly Hill Road were just...awesome. Here are some more shots from the day. I'll let most of them speak for themselves, as I am both tired and lazy at this point in the day.
I busted my chain about 3 miles into the ride. Good times. Fortunately there were mechanically inclined people there to help. And people with cameras and no sympathy. :)
Don't let this photo fool you. I was usually *much* farther behind the pack than this...
After trudging through the rain up Schnebly Hill with a sore knee and thoughts of heralding one of the many Forest Service Trucks, we (the other 2 fellows willing to take it easy with me) simultaneously topped a hill and rounded a corner to see the views in the last 4 photos. It was a completely jaw-dropping moment. I'm fairly certain that I squealed, dropped my bike and ran to the edge of the road/overlook and just gaped for several minutes. I won't say that I forgot the incredible pain and shame of the previous part of the ride, climbing and trudging through all that mud--but I will say that these views really did make it all worthwhile.
Well, the views and the bragging rights. I rode a 40 mile bike ride, uphill, through mud and rain. I rode from Flagstaff to Sedona!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
IOU
Stories. And photos.
For the past two weekends, I've been out galavanting on the trails of Arizona with my trusty bike. Last weekend it was trails around Bell Rock in Sedona. It was supposed to be a relatively easy 3.5 miles out and back (7mi round trip). It ended up being 12 miles total, uphill in all directions, but with some really awesome singletrack technical(ish) stuff that I loved. I also met some really cool folks, with whom I also rode yesterday. More about that in a moment. Let's look at some photographic evidence of the Bell Rock Ride:
Really godawful facial expression here, but I like it! This was a rocky, nasty climb that many people hike-a-biked (I cleaned it on the first try with much grunting and an amazingly loud cry of triumph at the top). The guy that took the photo had perched at the base of the climb and I very nearly ran him over.
I like this one much better. I don't look completely ridiculous, and besides, you get lovely Cathedral Rock in the background!
After the ride, we drove down to Oak Creek and played in the water for a while, and happened to bear witness to a rather unique wedding. There was a pathway of rocks across part of the creek where we were, and at one point we saw a gentleman with a Native American Flute and an amplifier stepping carefully across. When we asked him what he was doing way out here with an amp, he simply replied "A Wedding" and geststured across the creek. Up on a little hill above the creek was a gazebo, and we all assumed it would be there; but shortly after crossing the creek, he set up his stuff in the middle of a flat slick-rock type area and began to play.
Shortly thereafter, we saw an American Indian (no idea what tribe) coming down the hill--he was a shaman or priest or spiritual leader of some sort--in full regalia. Feathers, full buckskin, a huge drum, and a half-gourd with sage and feathers. Closely behind him were the bride and groom--in traditional white gown and tux. She took off her high heels to walk across the creek rocks, and her groom was good enough to carry both her shoes and her flowers so that she could keep better balance. Unable to stand there speechless, one of our group members mentioned something about her pedicure, to which she responded "All the way from England!". So it turns out that this couple had traveled to this tiny little creek in the middle of nowhere Arizona to be married in a Vortex area by an Indian (I'll call him) Shaman. They did the blanket transfer, and held the feathers and the shaman cleansed the area with the sage. We watched from a distance, and several people egged me to take photos, but I refused. It just didn't seem right.
Trust me when I tell you, though...it was pretty damn cool to bear witness to such a thing. Oh, and the bike ride...it was awesome too.
And tomorrow, since I'm off work (hooray!), I'll tell you the story of Flagstaff to Sedona. Here's a preview:
For the past two weekends, I've been out galavanting on the trails of Arizona with my trusty bike. Last weekend it was trails around Bell Rock in Sedona. It was supposed to be a relatively easy 3.5 miles out and back (7mi round trip). It ended up being 12 miles total, uphill in all directions, but with some really awesome singletrack technical(ish) stuff that I loved. I also met some really cool folks, with whom I also rode yesterday. More about that in a moment. Let's look at some photographic evidence of the Bell Rock Ride:
Really godawful facial expression here, but I like it! This was a rocky, nasty climb that many people hike-a-biked (I cleaned it on the first try with much grunting and an amazingly loud cry of triumph at the top). The guy that took the photo had perched at the base of the climb and I very nearly ran him over.
I like this one much better. I don't look completely ridiculous, and besides, you get lovely Cathedral Rock in the background!
After the ride, we drove down to Oak Creek and played in the water for a while, and happened to bear witness to a rather unique wedding. There was a pathway of rocks across part of the creek where we were, and at one point we saw a gentleman with a Native American Flute and an amplifier stepping carefully across. When we asked him what he was doing way out here with an amp, he simply replied "A Wedding" and geststured across the creek. Up on a little hill above the creek was a gazebo, and we all assumed it would be there; but shortly after crossing the creek, he set up his stuff in the middle of a flat slick-rock type area and began to play.
Shortly thereafter, we saw an American Indian (no idea what tribe) coming down the hill--he was a shaman or priest or spiritual leader of some sort--in full regalia. Feathers, full buckskin, a huge drum, and a half-gourd with sage and feathers. Closely behind him were the bride and groom--in traditional white gown and tux. She took off her high heels to walk across the creek rocks, and her groom was good enough to carry both her shoes and her flowers so that she could keep better balance. Unable to stand there speechless, one of our group members mentioned something about her pedicure, to which she responded "All the way from England!". So it turns out that this couple had traveled to this tiny little creek in the middle of nowhere Arizona to be married in a Vortex area by an Indian (I'll call him) Shaman. They did the blanket transfer, and held the feathers and the shaman cleansed the area with the sage. We watched from a distance, and several people egged me to take photos, but I refused. It just didn't seem right.
Trust me when I tell you, though...it was pretty damn cool to bear witness to such a thing. Oh, and the bike ride...it was awesome too.
And tomorrow, since I'm off work (hooray!), I'll tell you the story of Flagstaff to Sedona. Here's a preview:
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Ride Ride Ride
I'm a big fan of Meetup.com. True, I don't often partake of the myriad opportunities it provides, but I've never regretted it on the rare occasions that I do.
Yesterday I went on a bike ride in Sedona. It was advertised as 3.5 miles of easy to moderate riding--beginners welcome. I'm far from being a beginner, but I am rather out of shape, so I figured it was right up my alley. Well, 11 miles later I was huffing and puffing and gasping for breath--and at one point I was seriously concerned about the possibility of heat exhaustion once again. There were far more climbs than anticipated, and I hadn't taken into account the relatively high altitude. I was at the back of the pack (and if you know me at all, you know that that is *NOT* my comfort zone) the entire time, and doing a great deal of hike-a-bike.
And I would do it again tomorrow if I could!
Although completely exhausted afterwards, I was also oddly energized. Perhaps it was the vortexes in and around Bell Rock. Perhaps it was just the adrenaline. Perhaps it's just that my heart is *still* beating a bit above the normally recognised limit (not true, not true...just a figure of speech!)... At any rate, although it was so difficult and painful at times, it was also just incredibly beautiful to be out there. I rode with a great bunch of people and pushed myself beyond anything I'd ever attempt on my own little jaunts around here.
Ultimately, I think that was the most enjoyable part--pushing myself to do something that would have been so easy to give up on. I tried--and succeeded--riding some technical bits that not everyone else could clear. I tried--and failed--on many more. But I was out there pushing myself and that was its own reward.
And on that note, it's 9:38pm and I'm going to sleep. I'm still exhausted! And 5:30am with the hounds will be here all too soon. I'll try to post some photos in the next couple days. <3
Yesterday I went on a bike ride in Sedona. It was advertised as 3.5 miles of easy to moderate riding--beginners welcome. I'm far from being a beginner, but I am rather out of shape, so I figured it was right up my alley. Well, 11 miles later I was huffing and puffing and gasping for breath--and at one point I was seriously concerned about the possibility of heat exhaustion once again. There were far more climbs than anticipated, and I hadn't taken into account the relatively high altitude. I was at the back of the pack (and if you know me at all, you know that that is *NOT* my comfort zone) the entire time, and doing a great deal of hike-a-bike.
And I would do it again tomorrow if I could!
Although completely exhausted afterwards, I was also oddly energized. Perhaps it was the vortexes in and around Bell Rock. Perhaps it was just the adrenaline. Perhaps it's just that my heart is *still* beating a bit above the normally recognised limit (not true, not true...just a figure of speech!)... At any rate, although it was so difficult and painful at times, it was also just incredibly beautiful to be out there. I rode with a great bunch of people and pushed myself beyond anything I'd ever attempt on my own little jaunts around here.
Ultimately, I think that was the most enjoyable part--pushing myself to do something that would have been so easy to give up on. I tried--and succeeded--riding some technical bits that not everyone else could clear. I tried--and failed--on many more. But I was out there pushing myself and that was its own reward.
And on that note, it's 9:38pm and I'm going to sleep. I'm still exhausted! And 5:30am with the hounds will be here all too soon. I'll try to post some photos in the next couple days. <3
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
aka: where the last week went
It's been a busy week--not really because I have anything going on in my real life, but because WoW has these insidious in-game "events" with linked achievements. The ocd part of me (approximately 85% percent) is compelled to participate and complete these little mini games, which causes late nights and errors in judgement.
Such as...not fixing the salmon as soon as I should have.
I bought salmon at the grocery last Sunday, much like I often do. I generally cook it the same night or the next. Very occasionally I'll cook it two days later. This week, I waited until Wednesday, because for some odd reason both Monday and Tuesday found us with other dinner plans. I should have ignored the nagging voice in my head saying "Don't waste it; it'll be fine!". I should *not* have ignored the extraordinarily fishy smell when I unwrapped my dinner-to-be. And I really should have just reached for a Lean Cuisine dinner as the salmon steamed and went through a particularly nasty phase of stink. But it *looked* fine. It *tasted* fine...
(R, the luckiest man alive, was feeling a bit low that night and slept right through dinner, and escaped my cruel fate...)
Thursday morning I had a 7am appointment for a boob-squishin. I woke up at about 5:30am with a massive, MASSIVE headache, but chalked it up to not getting enough sleep. Made it into my appointment, had the girls checked out, and headed to work. The headache got worse and worse and, having had my own little wimpy versions of migraines before, I chalked the mounting nausea up to the intense pain in my noggin. And then, despite the chilliness of the office, I began to sweat. I felt dizzy, and couldn't focus on my work. I did, however, manage to focus a few moments to the CDC page on symptoms of the H1-N1 flu... It seemed possible, but not likely, so I just continued to believe it was the headache.
And then, after whining to my coworker that I felt like I was going to throw up...I did. R swears that I threw up while we had the house in OKC, but I honestly don't remember throwing up since I lived in Lawrence--that would be something like 8 years ago. I just don't throw up. So when I actually did, I did three things. 1) Felt immensely better, tho not...good, 2) Immediately went home, and 3) started considering the fact that it very well could have been my stinky salmon doing these horrible things to me.
When I got home I rolled around in agony for a few more hours, throwing up twice more in the process. To those of you who manage to experience this bodily function with relative regularity, I apologise. The mere thought of it is often enough to elicit sympathy hurls, I know. But it's just such an oddity for me, and I find it fascinating. It really felt like my body wanted to turn itself inside out. It was completely awful and, thankfully, it was completely over by about 3 or 4pm. I still had a ridiculous headache, but I was no longer beading with sweat, feeling hot and then freezing, threatening to topple over anytime I stood up, or going cross-eyed trying to read my book, my mail, or my computer screen.
I left work around 10am, so missed a good portion of the day. I went in an hour early and stayed about 1.30 late on Friday, both trying to catch up and get ahead for Monday. It's a shame that I missed so many hours this week, because I'd found out on Monday last that I'm getting a raise! A whole $1.00/hour! I'm totally not being facaetious with that comment either. A dollar raise is huge in any situation, but particularly now with the economy being the way it is, and with our little company plugging away tenuously at best... So I was very excited and proud of myself on that note, but missing most of the day Thursday will probably just put me back where I have been! Oh well, there is always next pay period. :)
I could go on, and relate the Saga of the New Telly...but it's late, and 6am no longer guarantees temperatures below 80`.
I would like to send a thank you to Shanny for her naming suggestions. While I literally lol'd when I read them, I will respectfully decline them. Especially Jedadiah. Mostly becuase I'm pretty sure my eeePC is a girl. It's very ambiguous at this point, and could honestly go either way. But Jedadiah is a strapping young lad who works on a farm with his Pa and studies scripture fervently. Not that there is *anything* wrong with such a life. I just think that we're looking for something a little..different. Perhaps I could call it Eric. If ever an inanimate object summoned demons, it was assuredly a computer.
See, I should have just told the telly story. Much safer. :)
Such as...not fixing the salmon as soon as I should have.
I bought salmon at the grocery last Sunday, much like I often do. I generally cook it the same night or the next. Very occasionally I'll cook it two days later. This week, I waited until Wednesday, because for some odd reason both Monday and Tuesday found us with other dinner plans. I should have ignored the nagging voice in my head saying "Don't waste it; it'll be fine!". I should *not* have ignored the extraordinarily fishy smell when I unwrapped my dinner-to-be. And I really should have just reached for a Lean Cuisine dinner as the salmon steamed and went through a particularly nasty phase of stink. But it *looked* fine. It *tasted* fine...
(R, the luckiest man alive, was feeling a bit low that night and slept right through dinner, and escaped my cruel fate...)
Thursday morning I had a 7am appointment for a boob-squishin. I woke up at about 5:30am with a massive, MASSIVE headache, but chalked it up to not getting enough sleep. Made it into my appointment, had the girls checked out, and headed to work. The headache got worse and worse and, having had my own little wimpy versions of migraines before, I chalked the mounting nausea up to the intense pain in my noggin. And then, despite the chilliness of the office, I began to sweat. I felt dizzy, and couldn't focus on my work. I did, however, manage to focus a few moments to the CDC page on symptoms of the H1-N1 flu... It seemed possible, but not likely, so I just continued to believe it was the headache.
And then, after whining to my coworker that I felt like I was going to throw up...I did. R swears that I threw up while we had the house in OKC, but I honestly don't remember throwing up since I lived in Lawrence--that would be something like 8 years ago. I just don't throw up. So when I actually did, I did three things. 1) Felt immensely better, tho not...good, 2) Immediately went home, and 3) started considering the fact that it very well could have been my stinky salmon doing these horrible things to me.
When I got home I rolled around in agony for a few more hours, throwing up twice more in the process. To those of you who manage to experience this bodily function with relative regularity, I apologise. The mere thought of it is often enough to elicit sympathy hurls, I know. But it's just such an oddity for me, and I find it fascinating. It really felt like my body wanted to turn itself inside out. It was completely awful and, thankfully, it was completely over by about 3 or 4pm. I still had a ridiculous headache, but I was no longer beading with sweat, feeling hot and then freezing, threatening to topple over anytime I stood up, or going cross-eyed trying to read my book, my mail, or my computer screen.
I left work around 10am, so missed a good portion of the day. I went in an hour early and stayed about 1.30 late on Friday, both trying to catch up and get ahead for Monday. It's a shame that I missed so many hours this week, because I'd found out on Monday last that I'm getting a raise! A whole $1.00/hour! I'm totally not being facaetious with that comment either. A dollar raise is huge in any situation, but particularly now with the economy being the way it is, and with our little company plugging away tenuously at best... So I was very excited and proud of myself on that note, but missing most of the day Thursday will probably just put me back where I have been! Oh well, there is always next pay period. :)
I could go on, and relate the Saga of the New Telly...but it's late, and 6am no longer guarantees temperatures below 80`.
I would like to send a thank you to Shanny for her naming suggestions. While I literally lol'd when I read them, I will respectfully decline them. Especially Jedadiah. Mostly becuase I'm pretty sure my eeePC is a girl. It's very ambiguous at this point, and could honestly go either way. But Jedadiah is a strapping young lad who works on a farm with his Pa and studies scripture fervently. Not that there is *anything* wrong with such a life. I just think that we're looking for something a little..different. Perhaps I could call it Eric. If ever an inanimate object summoned demons, it was assuredly a computer.
See, I should have just told the telly story. Much safer. :)
Monday, May 04, 2009
Happy Birthday to my Mom!
Today was my mom's birthday. I won't say her age, because that is only up to her to divulge, but I will say that she's every bit as lovely as she's ever been.
She's very silly, very creative, wildly thoughtful, and has never met a stranger. She can talk to anyone, about anything, anywhere. It used to kind of embarrass me when I was a kid (sorry mom!), but now I realise what a gift it is--and how rare it is for people to express such a talent, even if they have it. On a related note, she makes friends so easily, a talent of which I'm very envious--but also that I'm thankful she has. She has moved around with my dad and I so many times--and now she's out in the boonies of Missouri, far away from family and old friends. But since moving there, she's made a whole new batch of amazing friends. They have parties for each other and have their own little adventures; she has a better social life than I do at this point, honestly! It's always fun to hear what she's been up to, whether it be a garage sale excursion, or a neighbourhood fish fry.
She's creative and talented--a fiendish knitter and a connoisseur of all things crafty. She has made me beautiful afghans, gorgeous little hand towels, fun funky boho-bags, and she once fashioned the most amazing angel out of embroidery floss, lace, and beads (it currently serves as our Christmas Tree-Topper). She loves learning new things, and like me, always has some sort of project going.
She's also a great cook and, for better or for worse, I have inherited her willingness to improvise and/or "make do" with the ingredients at hand. This doesn't always turn out as well for me as it does for her, but it does make for some interesting kitchen adventures (I think R might have another name for the results of *my* concoctions!).
I could go on. And on... and on...but it's already past my bedtime. Suffice it to say that my mom ROCKS! Happy Birthday Mom. I LOVE YOU!! <3!!1one!11!1!!1!!!
She's very silly, very creative, wildly thoughtful, and has never met a stranger. She can talk to anyone, about anything, anywhere. It used to kind of embarrass me when I was a kid (sorry mom!), but now I realise what a gift it is--and how rare it is for people to express such a talent, even if they have it. On a related note, she makes friends so easily, a talent of which I'm very envious--but also that I'm thankful she has. She has moved around with my dad and I so many times--and now she's out in the boonies of Missouri, far away from family and old friends. But since moving there, she's made a whole new batch of amazing friends. They have parties for each other and have their own little adventures; she has a better social life than I do at this point, honestly! It's always fun to hear what she's been up to, whether it be a garage sale excursion, or a neighbourhood fish fry.
She's creative and talented--a fiendish knitter and a connoisseur of all things crafty. She has made me beautiful afghans, gorgeous little hand towels, fun funky boho-bags, and she once fashioned the most amazing angel out of embroidery floss, lace, and beads (it currently serves as our Christmas Tree-Topper). She loves learning new things, and like me, always has some sort of project going.
She's also a great cook and, for better or for worse, I have inherited her willingness to improvise and/or "make do" with the ingredients at hand. This doesn't always turn out as well for me as it does for her, but it does make for some interesting kitchen adventures (I think R might have another name for the results of *my* concoctions!).
I could go on. And on... and on...but it's already past my bedtime. Suffice it to say that my mom ROCKS! Happy Birthday Mom. I LOVE YOU!! <3!!1one!11!1!!1!!!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Accessories and Accoutrements!
I went to REI today, because I had a 20% coupon burning a hole in my hot little hand. I've been needing both new running shoes (I use the term lightly, because what I generally do amounts to little more than speed walking with the dogs--with the occasional 1/2 block jog thrown in for good measure), and wanted to check into some new bike shorts. The place was packed to the gills--apparently outdoorsy folk are *not* feeling the pinch these days--and I quickly gave up on any real attempts at trying on clothing.
But I looked around a LOT and found some amazingly adorable small purses/mini messenger bags that I think might look *fantastic* wrapped around my little eeePC (which, incidentally, I've decided needs a name. Taking all suggestions, but reserve the right to poo poo any and all comers). I was going to post links, but once I got to looking on their site, I got far too distracted and just blew another 30 minutes poking around and window shopping. Suffice it to say: I now have an added reason to head back to REI soon (as if I ever really needed one), since I will have to take my 'puter with me to try on some bags.
And there is a tent I'm eyeing, and while I'm at it, I could use a new sleeping bag. Because, you know, I go camping *so* frequently... The fubar'd logic here is that I'll be more apt to go if I actually have the gear. I'd be better suited, I think, to invest in some friends who would drag me out of the house from time to time to go on such adventures.
But I digress. Toys for my toy. I still intend to post some of my favourite skin options for your review, but I always manage to be too tired to mess with it by the time I get here. And all my bookmarks are waaaaaaay over there on that computer. So I'd have to spend even more time looking them up again. But I need to dress this baby up. Black is always in, but basic black 'puter is basic. We need some pizazz! Skinz and Bags, Skinz and Bags. And then when she's all dressed up, I'll take her photo for your viewing pleasure. Because doesn't everyone just *long* to see a pimped out netbook? Geeks like me say "Yes!" <3
But I looked around a LOT and found some amazingly adorable small purses/mini messenger bags that I think might look *fantastic* wrapped around my little eeePC (which, incidentally, I've decided needs a name. Taking all suggestions, but reserve the right to poo poo any and all comers). I was going to post links, but once I got to looking on their site, I got far too distracted and just blew another 30 minutes poking around and window shopping. Suffice it to say: I now have an added reason to head back to REI soon (as if I ever really needed one), since I will have to take my 'puter with me to try on some bags.
And there is a tent I'm eyeing, and while I'm at it, I could use a new sleeping bag. Because, you know, I go camping *so* frequently... The fubar'd logic here is that I'll be more apt to go if I actually have the gear. I'd be better suited, I think, to invest in some friends who would drag me out of the house from time to time to go on such adventures.
But I digress. Toys for my toy. I still intend to post some of my favourite skin options for your review, but I always manage to be too tired to mess with it by the time I get here. And all my bookmarks are waaaaaaay over there on that computer. So I'd have to spend even more time looking them up again. But I need to dress this baby up. Black is always in, but basic black 'puter is basic. We need some pizazz! Skinz and Bags, Skinz and Bags. And then when she's all dressed up, I'll take her photo for your viewing pleasure. Because doesn't everyone just *long* to see a pimped out netbook? Geeks like me say "Yes!" <3
Friday, May 01, 2009
A Sure Sign
Movies will rot your brain!
Every time I hear another report about the Swine Flu (Pending) Pandemic, I fully expect to hear a tinge of panic in the announcer's voice as she explains that there have been significant mutations in the virus which are causing horrific reactions in the afflicted parties. The main reaction, of course, being Zombieism.
Then again, having watched those movies, I am now well versed in Zombie Avoidance and Methods of Zombie Annihilation. So....yeah.
Every time I hear another report about the Swine Flu (Pending) Pandemic, I fully expect to hear a tinge of panic in the announcer's voice as she explains that there have been significant mutations in the virus which are causing horrific reactions in the afflicted parties. The main reaction, of course, being Zombieism.
Then again, having watched those movies, I am now well versed in Zombie Avoidance and Methods of Zombie Annihilation. So....yeah.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Murphy Knew His, um...Stuff
I don't believe I've mentioned it here, but I recently paid off my Xterra. (**EDIT: Wow, I just mentioned it two posts ago. But I've slept since then...) It's very exciting, to have that portion of my (relatively minimal) debt taken care of. I should, in fact, have the title in my hot little hands sometime this week. What a nice birthday present to myself!
Now, the flip side of that was knowing that as soon as I had paid it off, something else would come up. It always does. Every time I've ever paid off a credit card, car payment, or otherwise gotten something truly daunting out of my hair and/or off of my plate, something else ugly has reared its head--preventing me from every *truly* getting ahead myself.
This time, I naturally assumed it was going to be the Xterra itself. It is, after all, nearly 10 years old. It's in remarkably good shape for its age, and the Xterra--despite having a super slick new look in recent model years--has something of a timeless style. However, as we all know, time is cruel, and I'm just waiting for the ball to drop.
I really hope it doesn't soon. Because the ugly spectre with the raised and howling head this time is the telly. Our behemoth died a very sudden death sometime between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. When R tried to turn it on yesterday, it was just dead. No flickering lights, no warning signals that failure was immenent. Just a black, blank screen and a whole lot of "WTF"??
Personally, I think all of the MMA fighting and mafia violence of the recently resurrected Sopranos disc set finally did it in. :D That, or all the butter and sugar in Paula Deen's cookin has soaked in. Whatever the case, we find ourselves without a tv. It doesn't trouble me too much, as I rarely watch it aside from the occasional bout of CNN Headline News while I get ready in the morning, or the aforementioned Paula Deen (along with Giada/Ina Garten/Rachel Ray during the "dinner hour"). Oh, and Thursday night NBC. Love.
Anyway. I digress. We are going to have to get a new tv, because now that I can't play with the Wii, I want to desperately even though I haven't touched it in ages. I LONG to finish watching The Tudors discs that we got from Netflix something like 4 months ago (or longer)! It's amazing, isn't it, how you always want what you can't have?
Hopefully, after we deal with the annoyance of finding someone to pick up and haul off the old telly, and setting up the new one, there will be a few months of monetary peace where I can put some of the "extra" money towards our remaining credit card bills. Until then, I suppose I should just thank Murphy that his laws had the good graces to at least wait to kill the telly until *after* my car was paid off.
Thanks, Murphy, thanks a lot. ;)
Now, the flip side of that was knowing that as soon as I had paid it off, something else would come up. It always does. Every time I've ever paid off a credit card, car payment, or otherwise gotten something truly daunting out of my hair and/or off of my plate, something else ugly has reared its head--preventing me from every *truly* getting ahead myself.
This time, I naturally assumed it was going to be the Xterra itself. It is, after all, nearly 10 years old. It's in remarkably good shape for its age, and the Xterra--despite having a super slick new look in recent model years--has something of a timeless style. However, as we all know, time is cruel, and I'm just waiting for the ball to drop.
I really hope it doesn't soon. Because the ugly spectre with the raised and howling head this time is the telly. Our behemoth died a very sudden death sometime between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. When R tried to turn it on yesterday, it was just dead. No flickering lights, no warning signals that failure was immenent. Just a black, blank screen and a whole lot of "WTF"??
Personally, I think all of the MMA fighting and mafia violence of the recently resurrected Sopranos disc set finally did it in. :D That, or all the butter and sugar in Paula Deen's cookin has soaked in. Whatever the case, we find ourselves without a tv. It doesn't trouble me too much, as I rarely watch it aside from the occasional bout of CNN Headline News while I get ready in the morning, or the aforementioned Paula Deen (along with Giada/Ina Garten/Rachel Ray during the "dinner hour"). Oh, and Thursday night NBC. Love.
Anyway. I digress. We are going to have to get a new tv, because now that I can't play with the Wii, I want to desperately even though I haven't touched it in ages. I LONG to finish watching The Tudors discs that we got from Netflix something like 4 months ago (or longer)! It's amazing, isn't it, how you always want what you can't have?
Hopefully, after we deal with the annoyance of finding someone to pick up and haul off the old telly, and setting up the new one, there will be a few months of monetary peace where I can put some of the "extra" money towards our remaining credit card bills. Until then, I suppose I should just thank Murphy that his laws had the good graces to at least wait to kill the telly until *after* my car was paid off.
Thanks, Murphy, thanks a lot. ;)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Canooks!
I have recently been raving (to R and to my best friend and...well, that's about it, since I've got no one else to crow to) about the glory of Radio Paradise. And I DO love Radio Paradise. It is a constant joy to listen to, and the peacelovinhippiechick in me revels in the primarily happy mellow world folk rock thing they've got goin on.
But earlier this week at work I stumbled onto CBC Radio 3, and DAMN if it isn't the perfectly sexy bad boy to lure me away from my tried and true. It's pretty much all new, totally unfamiliar, dirty rockin stuff--with the occasional sweetly french pop tune thrown in for good measure. Granted, I only catch glimpses while I'm at work, and I'm dialed in right now as I write, but what I've heard I love.
I've gone a long time without discovering and appreciating new music, and for anyone who knows me, that's saying a lot. Music used to be pretty much the be-all end-all for me (have I used that phrase recently? typing it out gave me an annoying sense of deja-vu). So it's really nice to rediscover that aspect of myself. I don't think I'll ever find myself going to concerts 4-5 nights a week again, and it's unlikely that my cd collection (mp3 file collection these days, I suppose) will grow as exponentially as it did when I was working at the record store, but it's enough for me that I'm hearing some stuff that makes me pause and look up the artist name and make a note to check it out later.
In other "new stuff" news...I got my hair cut today. Woohoo. It's not really anything different, so don't go begging for photos or anything. I basically don't look like I'm wearing a pile of straw on my head anymore.
In "I can't decide which new stuff to get news", I cannot decide which skin shall adorn my new lil puter. So when I have more energy for it, I'm going to post some options here and ask for a vote of sorts. Which, I guess, basically means that Shanny will be the one who decides, as no one else ever says so much as "Boo!". :P
And, with that, good night. It's nearing midnight and the heat comes earlier and earlier these days... If I want to breathe fresh air tomorrow, I'd better get some sleep!
But earlier this week at work I stumbled onto CBC Radio 3, and DAMN if it isn't the perfectly sexy bad boy to lure me away from my tried and true. It's pretty much all new, totally unfamiliar, dirty rockin stuff--with the occasional sweetly french pop tune thrown in for good measure. Granted, I only catch glimpses while I'm at work, and I'm dialed in right now as I write, but what I've heard I love.
I've gone a long time without discovering and appreciating new music, and for anyone who knows me, that's saying a lot. Music used to be pretty much the be-all end-all for me (have I used that phrase recently? typing it out gave me an annoying sense of deja-vu). So it's really nice to rediscover that aspect of myself. I don't think I'll ever find myself going to concerts 4-5 nights a week again, and it's unlikely that my cd collection (mp3 file collection these days, I suppose) will grow as exponentially as it did when I was working at the record store, but it's enough for me that I'm hearing some stuff that makes me pause and look up the artist name and make a note to check it out later.
In other "new stuff" news...I got my hair cut today. Woohoo. It's not really anything different, so don't go begging for photos or anything. I basically don't look like I'm wearing a pile of straw on my head anymore.
In "I can't decide which new stuff to get news", I cannot decide which skin shall adorn my new lil puter. So when I have more energy for it, I'm going to post some options here and ask for a vote of sorts. Which, I guess, basically means that Shanny will be the one who decides, as no one else ever says so much as "Boo!". :P
And, with that, good night. It's nearing midnight and the heat comes earlier and earlier these days... If I want to breathe fresh air tomorrow, I'd better get some sleep!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
New Toy, Happy Early Birthday!
Ever since I became enamoured of the idea of being able to blog from bed, I've been rendered incapable of putting two words together at my desktop computer. I just can't get my thoughts together out there. To many distractions, too, too many.
In one of my typical interweb ramblings, I discovered "netbooks" and was instantly smitten. They are tiny, portable, very basic, and very inexpensive. I read and read and researched and discovered the lovely Asus eeePC 1000HE.
I mentioned it to R and, although he was skeptical at first, I think my earnest interest finally won him over and he checked it out. I was honestly going to buy it myself, having just paid off my car and feeling the joy of "extra money"...but with my birthday coming up, he was havin' none of that. The Asus would be my birthday present, and so it is! We ordered it over the weekend, and it came in today. It's black, and will soon be covered in a nifty skin of some sort--because it really is a fingerprint magnet. And because skinz are just cool.
So I'm sitting here in bed, happily tapping away and listening to CBC Radio 3. The reviews were right; the sound is far from audiophile-approved, but it's certainly fine for my current purposes. And while I could stay up all night toying with all the features and settings, I must, at this point, put it away. Summer has come early to the desert (our first 100+ degree day was yesterday!) and I have to get the hounds out the door before 6am if I don't want to roast.
I know I've said it before, but I have to say it again--I think I'll be around more often now. Writing before bed(in bed!) clears my brain of some of the flotsam and jetsam it collects during the day, and I really believe it helps me sleep better. And since I'm going to be getting up at 5:30 or earlier for the next few months, I'm going to need all the help I can get!
I love my lil netbook! Thank you baby! <3
In one of my typical interweb ramblings, I discovered "netbooks" and was instantly smitten. They are tiny, portable, very basic, and very inexpensive. I read and read and researched and discovered the lovely Asus eeePC 1000HE.
I mentioned it to R and, although he was skeptical at first, I think my earnest interest finally won him over and he checked it out. I was honestly going to buy it myself, having just paid off my car and feeling the joy of "extra money"...but with my birthday coming up, he was havin' none of that. The Asus would be my birthday present, and so it is! We ordered it over the weekend, and it came in today. It's black, and will soon be covered in a nifty skin of some sort--because it really is a fingerprint magnet. And because skinz are just cool.
So I'm sitting here in bed, happily tapping away and listening to CBC Radio 3. The reviews were right; the sound is far from audiophile-approved, but it's certainly fine for my current purposes. And while I could stay up all night toying with all the features and settings, I must, at this point, put it away. Summer has come early to the desert (our first 100+ degree day was yesterday!) and I have to get the hounds out the door before 6am if I don't want to roast.
I know I've said it before, but I have to say it again--I think I'll be around more often now. Writing before bed(in bed!) clears my brain of some of the flotsam and jetsam it collects during the day, and I really believe it helps me sleep better. And since I'm going to be getting up at 5:30 or earlier for the next few months, I'm going to need all the help I can get!
I love my lil netbook! Thank you baby! <3
Sunday, March 29, 2009
MPG
We haven't really talked a lot about mileage lately. Today, however, I finally got off my butt and went for a nice long(ish) bike ride, so I feel a bit better about broaching the subject.
For example, the pain of admitting that nearly the entire month of February was spent doing a whole lot of nothing is dulled a bit by being able to say that I rode for about 10 miles today. Of course, my total for the week is a paltry 15 miles or so, and admitting that is as though someone cut off my morphine.
I blame it on the dog. Bucket and I went for a nice long romp in the desert last Sunday. As much as I preach against it, there are times when I just want to see the boy run, so I let him off leash. He's quite good out there in the middle of nowhere, and as long as we never run into another dog, we should be just fine. He has chased many a lizard, what I presume to have been a rabbit, and this past Sunday found and tactfully avoided a rattlesnake (thank heavens he had the good sense to step away; I'm not sure what I'd have done if he'd decided it would make a fun chew toy). It's a real joy to see him exploring and occasionally looking over his shoulder to make sure I'm in sight. He comes when he's called (as long as there are no major distractions) and never gets too far away. If he can't hear my footsteps, he'll stand stock still and start looking fervently for me--I stop from time to time and "hide" just to make sure he's paying attention!
Anyway. The desert being what it is... I normally am the considerate parent and check his lil tootsies when we get home, but for some reason last Sunday I spaced it. I think I was just exhausted--5 miles of running through the desert on a toasty Spring afternoon will do that to a girl. I was laying on the bed, mustering up the energy to take a shower when Bucket walked up to the side of the bed and looked at me plaintively while lifting up one paw.
Sure enough, he had a GINORMOUS thorn in one of his pads. We had to get the needlenose pliers after it, and he shrieked like the little girl he is. Anyone would have thought we were poking a searing cattle prod in his eye or something. We cleaned it up and watched him limp around the house for the rest of the afternoon, clearly hoping that more attention would come his way.
The Monday morning walk of course had to be cancelled. We wanted to give him time to heal up properly, and taking Delilah and not him would have been paramount to asking for the animal kingdom's version of wailing and gnashing of teeth. Since he was no longer limping and showed no other signs of distress with the foot, I decided to take him for a short walk on Tuesday, which went just fine. Hooray.
Wednesday I'll have to blame on myself. I had decided to take my 24 allergy meds before bed, since they were making me a bit groggy during the morning, and when I tried to wake up at 6 am, I felt like I'd been beaten around the head with a sack of lead. Same result when I tried to wake up at 6:45, 7:15, and 7:45. I finally hauled my sorry self out of bed shortly after 8am, so no walkies Wednesday.
I have no idea why we didn't walk Thursday morning. I'm going to have to go with sheer laziness.
Friday? Well, lets just say that Bucket had a tummy ache on Thursday night and Friday morning and leave it there. I mean, I don't need to go into detail about what was going on with my boy's butt. It was gross. And it needed to be taken care of at 2am and again at 4am. And I'm pretty sure I didn't sleep at all really between those two times. So when 6am rolled around, I had long since re-set the alarm for a friendlier hour.
Wow, so it seems that I can really only blame the boy for 3 days of suckage this week. The rest of it was all me. But his days are the majority, so I'm going to stick with my previous assesment that it's all his fault.
And on an entirely different note, R took Bucket and Delilah with him to get coffee this afternoon. The rear windows in the xTerra were up, so the girl at the window couldn't see the dogs, but she could hear Bucket whining and chirping like he does. She honestly asked R if he had "a little chihuahua back there". I'm not sure how he stifled what surely must have been the world's loudest guffaw, but he simply rolled down the rear window and let Bucket stick his head out. The coffee girl was shocked, to say the least. A little chihuahua indeed!
So yeah. Lowish miles this week overall, but today was a good day. I'm hoping to make that a more regular ride, as it's fast, easy (totally non-technical so I can push the speed and get the heart rate up!), and variable enough to keep me from getting bored. The cupcake bites have really been a bane to any sort of "get skinny" plan; my only hope is to get more active! With summer fast approaching, my outdoor activity window grows slimmer and slimmer--unlike my belly!
I'll get some totals together soon; I'm not entirely sure where I stand overall and it would be good information to have. But now...sleep!
For example, the pain of admitting that nearly the entire month of February was spent doing a whole lot of nothing is dulled a bit by being able to say that I rode for about 10 miles today. Of course, my total for the week is a paltry 15 miles or so, and admitting that is as though someone cut off my morphine.
I blame it on the dog. Bucket and I went for a nice long romp in the desert last Sunday. As much as I preach against it, there are times when I just want to see the boy run, so I let him off leash. He's quite good out there in the middle of nowhere, and as long as we never run into another dog, we should be just fine. He has chased many a lizard, what I presume to have been a rabbit, and this past Sunday found and tactfully avoided a rattlesnake (thank heavens he had the good sense to step away; I'm not sure what I'd have done if he'd decided it would make a fun chew toy). It's a real joy to see him exploring and occasionally looking over his shoulder to make sure I'm in sight. He comes when he's called (as long as there are no major distractions) and never gets too far away. If he can't hear my footsteps, he'll stand stock still and start looking fervently for me--I stop from time to time and "hide" just to make sure he's paying attention!
Anyway. The desert being what it is... I normally am the considerate parent and check his lil tootsies when we get home, but for some reason last Sunday I spaced it. I think I was just exhausted--5 miles of running through the desert on a toasty Spring afternoon will do that to a girl. I was laying on the bed, mustering up the energy to take a shower when Bucket walked up to the side of the bed and looked at me plaintively while lifting up one paw.
Sure enough, he had a GINORMOUS thorn in one of his pads. We had to get the needlenose pliers after it, and he shrieked like the little girl he is. Anyone would have thought we were poking a searing cattle prod in his eye or something. We cleaned it up and watched him limp around the house for the rest of the afternoon, clearly hoping that more attention would come his way.
The Monday morning walk of course had to be cancelled. We wanted to give him time to heal up properly, and taking Delilah and not him would have been paramount to asking for the animal kingdom's version of wailing and gnashing of teeth. Since he was no longer limping and showed no other signs of distress with the foot, I decided to take him for a short walk on Tuesday, which went just fine. Hooray.
Wednesday I'll have to blame on myself. I had decided to take my 24 allergy meds before bed, since they were making me a bit groggy during the morning, and when I tried to wake up at 6 am, I felt like I'd been beaten around the head with a sack of lead. Same result when I tried to wake up at 6:45, 7:15, and 7:45. I finally hauled my sorry self out of bed shortly after 8am, so no walkies Wednesday.
I have no idea why we didn't walk Thursday morning. I'm going to have to go with sheer laziness.
Friday? Well, lets just say that Bucket had a tummy ache on Thursday night and Friday morning and leave it there. I mean, I don't need to go into detail about what was going on with my boy's butt. It was gross. And it needed to be taken care of at 2am and again at 4am. And I'm pretty sure I didn't sleep at all really between those two times. So when 6am rolled around, I had long since re-set the alarm for a friendlier hour.
Wow, so it seems that I can really only blame the boy for 3 days of suckage this week. The rest of it was all me. But his days are the majority, so I'm going to stick with my previous assesment that it's all his fault.
And on an entirely different note, R took Bucket and Delilah with him to get coffee this afternoon. The rear windows in the xTerra were up, so the girl at the window couldn't see the dogs, but she could hear Bucket whining and chirping like he does. She honestly asked R if he had "a little chihuahua back there". I'm not sure how he stifled what surely must have been the world's loudest guffaw, but he simply rolled down the rear window and let Bucket stick his head out. The coffee girl was shocked, to say the least. A little chihuahua indeed!
So yeah. Lowish miles this week overall, but today was a good day. I'm hoping to make that a more regular ride, as it's fast, easy (totally non-technical so I can push the speed and get the heart rate up!), and variable enough to keep me from getting bored. The cupcake bites have really been a bane to any sort of "get skinny" plan; my only hope is to get more active! With summer fast approaching, my outdoor activity window grows slimmer and slimmer--unlike my belly!
I'll get some totals together soon; I'm not entirely sure where I stand overall and it would be good information to have. But now...sleep!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Buzz buzz buzz
I recently bought an air purifier for our bedroom, as my allergies--especially overnight, for some reason--have gotten more annoying. I can't tell if it's doing much at all really, but I've become accustomed to the humming of the fans; they create a lovely white noise in the room. However, they do keep me from thinking deeply. I could think of nothing else when trying to name tonight's post. Or perhaps there's really nothing else to call such ramblings.
Thank you to my dear Shanny, who has, through the miracle of technology, set herself up to receive an email whenever I update my blog. She is also one of the only folks who ever post comments on my blog (coughcoughpointedcough). I want to link to her blog, which is much more regularly updated than mine, although not as much as I'd like (coughcough)--but since I'm on the laptop, I don't have the faintest idea how to find her.*** What on earth would I ever do without my bookmarks?
Anyway.
No crazy bizaare dreams to report from the past two nights. Oh, don't doubt that I had them! I just can't recall the content at this point. We watched two episodes of Lost tonight, though, so I'm sure it will be a fun-filled venture into insanity when I drift of to sleep in a bit.
Holy Crap. Season Three of the Venture Brothers came out yesterday and I totally forgot about it. Not that I've even seen Season Two yet, but season one was really amazingly good. Clever and ridiculous and insidious and buzz buzz buzz.... Maybe it's time to go shopping.
See what I did there? The weird, invisible tangential leap between talking about the insanity of Lost to "zomg Venture Brothers!"? It's kind of hard to follow, even for me, but this is how it goes**:
We watched two episodes of Lost(which is a total trip).
In my head, but not written down: "I think it's better to wait until the DVDs come out--or at least until the end of the season so we can watch them all at once."
"You know", (still in my head) I need to clean out the DVD shelves downstairs."
Then, as I visualise the DVD shelves, I can see the Venture Brothers very near the LOST set(s) on the shelf (television collections are filed together, of course...duh!).
Then I remember hearing a blurb about the Venture Brothers Season Three set coming out on Tuesday. (On NPR, of all places! *THAT'S* how cool the Venture Brothers are.)
So now that you've had that tasty little peek inside my whacko brain, I'm going to leave you to chew on it a bit while I head off to what will surely be animated dreams of angry butterflies, smoke monsters, hippies, and assassins. Good times!
**OR...it may have had something to do with the fact that I'd just used the word "venture" in the line previous. Amazing what you find out when you re-read something you've just written. Although everything else is true, too.
***Wow. I really need to hang out around here more often. There is a link to Shanny's site, right over there << on the side bar.
Thank you to my dear Shanny, who has, through the miracle of technology, set herself up to receive an email whenever I update my blog. She is also one of the only folks who ever post comments on my blog (
Anyway.
No crazy bizaare dreams to report from the past two nights. Oh, don't doubt that I had them! I just can't recall the content at this point. We watched two episodes of Lost tonight, though, so I'm sure it will be a fun-filled venture into insanity when I drift of to sleep in a bit.
Holy Crap. Season Three of the Venture Brothers came out yesterday and I totally forgot about it. Not that I've even seen Season Two yet, but season one was really amazingly good. Clever and ridiculous and insidious and buzz buzz buzz.... Maybe it's time to go shopping.
See what I did there? The weird, invisible tangential leap between talking about the insanity of Lost to "zomg Venture Brothers!"? It's kind of hard to follow, even for me, but this is how it goes**:
We watched two episodes of Lost(which is a total trip).
In my head, but not written down: "I think it's better to wait until the DVDs come out--or at least until the end of the season so we can watch them all at once."
"You know", (still in my head) I need to clean out the DVD shelves downstairs."
Then, as I visualise the DVD shelves, I can see the Venture Brothers very near the LOST set(s) on the shelf (television collections are filed together, of course...duh!).
Then I remember hearing a blurb about the Venture Brothers Season Three set coming out on Tuesday. (On NPR, of all places! *THAT'S* how cool the Venture Brothers are.)
So now that you've had that tasty little peek inside my whacko brain, I'm going to leave you to chew on it a bit while I head off to what will surely be animated dreams of angry butterflies, smoke monsters, hippies, and assassins. Good times!
**OR...it may have had something to do with the fact that I'd just used the word "venture" in the line previous. Amazing what you find out when you re-read something you've just written. Although everything else is true, too.
***Wow. I really need to hang out around here more often. There is a link to Shanny's site, right over there << on the side bar.
Monday, March 23, 2009
I am the Optimist Doctor
The one who refuses to let the patient die. The one who never delivers the "I'm so sorry...." speech. The one who constantly has another trick up her sleeve.
I have let this blog fade so so many times, and yet I keep coming back. Small wonder no one reads along; I have a hard time following blogs that post 3-4 times a week, much less one that might post 3-4 times every 6 months! No, I can't blame my readers for my...lack of readers. I have only myself and my lackadaisical posting attitudes to fault for that.
My most recent excuse was, of course, the incoming parentals. The prep work for their visit, their visit, and the downtime afterward was my rationale for abandoning The Blog. But they left almost 2 months ago, for crying out loud! I guess I just find it hard to jump back on the bandwagon once I've fallen off. Those cart horses do go quickly, you know.
At any rate, I've this night found the laptop sitting on the bed. R was feelin crappy today (so I'm probably catching back my cooties even as I type), and had the computer in here so he could email in sick (aaaahhhh technology! don't even have to talk to the boss any more--just send him an email!).
It was calling to me and it makes sense--I've journaled since I was a teenager, and I always wrote before bed. Got my thoughts out of my brain and allowed me, usually, to get to sleep more easily. And it kept me from having wildly whacko dreams, like the one a couple weeks ago where I was being chased by a mountain lion that eventually grabbed the back of my hand with one of his ginormous claws, which stuck in like nature's own grappling hook. Or the one last night featuring a huge smooth quarry-like pit in the earth, strewn with the skeletons of the people who had fallen in and couldn't get out. Among other things.
Yeah, those things I can do without. So perhaps blogging about the mundanities of my days will keep me here, keep some of you here (Hi Mom! Hi Dad!), and get me some much needed sweet dreams!
I have let this blog fade so so many times, and yet I keep coming back. Small wonder no one reads along; I have a hard time following blogs that post 3-4 times a week, much less one that might post 3-4 times every 6 months! No, I can't blame my readers for my...lack of readers. I have only myself and my lackadaisical posting attitudes to fault for that.
My most recent excuse was, of course, the incoming parentals. The prep work for their visit, their visit, and the downtime afterward was my rationale for abandoning The Blog. But they left almost 2 months ago, for crying out loud! I guess I just find it hard to jump back on the bandwagon once I've fallen off. Those cart horses do go quickly, you know.
At any rate, I've this night found the laptop sitting on the bed. R was feelin crappy today (so I'm probably catching back my cooties even as I type), and had the computer in here so he could email in sick (aaaahhhh technology! don't even have to talk to the boss any more--just send him an email!).
It was calling to me and it makes sense--I've journaled since I was a teenager, and I always wrote before bed. Got my thoughts out of my brain and allowed me, usually, to get to sleep more easily. And it kept me from having wildly whacko dreams, like the one a couple weeks ago where I was being chased by a mountain lion that eventually grabbed the back of my hand with one of his ginormous claws, which stuck in like nature's own grappling hook. Or the one last night featuring a huge smooth quarry-like pit in the earth, strewn with the skeletons of the people who had fallen in and couldn't get out. Among other things.
Yeah, those things I can do without. So perhaps blogging about the mundanities of my days will keep me here, keep some of you here (Hi Mom! Hi Dad!), and get me some much needed sweet dreams!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Regretting the Expenditure
Because gadgets that make me feel like a slacker suck.
I bought a Pedometer just after Christmas. Despite the fact that I have a really snazzy GarminForerunner 301 which works just fine (except for the download/online stuff, which I've never managed to be able to access), I wanted to see exactly how many steps I was taking each day--to see how close I was to the magical 10,000 steps mark.
Not. Very. Close.
I wore the pedometer every day last week, from the time I got up in the morning to the time I went to bed. I wanted the full day's worth of steps. Admittedly, there are limits to what the pedometer can measure--it only starts counting after like 4 consecutive seconds of walking, and erratic steps or moving too quickly or too slowly sometimes means it won't register your movements. Still. I figured I was in a pretty good position for 10-15k steps a day. Right?
Like most people, I grossly overestimated the number of steps I take on any given day. On days when I started out by walking 3-3.5 miles with the dogs, I came in only around 8-9k. Still short of the mark. On days that I didn't walk the dogs (I know, I know, for shame...), I came in around 3k. Miserable machine!
My one triumph was Wednesday, when I both walked the dogs in the morning (3.69miles), and went for a hike that evening (3.5 miles). Steps that day: 17,890! But let's be honest, the odds of me doing anything remotely like that on a regular basis are slim to none. I've taken to walking in place in the kitchen while making dinner, but I think it only serves to make me look ridiculous; I'm not sure the pedometer even "sees" those steps. le sigh.
Anyway, here's the breakdown for the week:
Day / Miles / Steps
Sunday / 8.57-bike / no ped yet
Monday / 3.02-walk / 9485
Tuesday / 0.00 / 3117
Wednesday / 7.19-walk / 17,890
Thursday / 0.0 / 3445
Friday / 3.47-walk / 8562
Saturday / 0.0 / forgot to wear the ped
TOTALS: 22.25 miles / 42,499 steps
I have no idea where that puts me for the month, because I forgot to look at my old post and I've been too lazy to write it down in my planner, where it really should go. It would save me a lot of time at the end/beginning of the week when I'm doing these recaps. There is a lot of button pushing and scrolling through workouts to get to the numbers. So perhaps I'll get on that.
The 'rents are coming in on Wednesday for a week's visit, weather allowing. Supposedly some big ice storm is set to hit their neck of the woods, just in time to make driving 2 hours to the airport a real fiasco. Here's hoping the weatherman is wrong this time too. All this is to say that, assuming my folks make their flight, chances are high that I *won't* be posting much this week.
That's funny. It implies that in other circumstances I might post 5 times a day or some such. lol.
You get my meaning. So that promised excursion to the summer of '08 will likely wait a little longer. But here are a couple photos from a hiking trip I took way back then (to Woods Canyon Lake), just to keep you interested:
It was so amazingly beautiful up there. Green. And green. With wind and water and vegetation that was green. /sigh
I bought a Pedometer just after Christmas. Despite the fact that I have a really snazzy GarminForerunner 301 which works just fine (except for the download/online stuff, which I've never managed to be able to access), I wanted to see exactly how many steps I was taking each day--to see how close I was to the magical 10,000 steps mark.
Not. Very. Close.
I wore the pedometer every day last week, from the time I got up in the morning to the time I went to bed. I wanted the full day's worth of steps. Admittedly, there are limits to what the pedometer can measure--it only starts counting after like 4 consecutive seconds of walking, and erratic steps or moving too quickly or too slowly sometimes means it won't register your movements. Still. I figured I was in a pretty good position for 10-15k steps a day. Right?
Like most people, I grossly overestimated the number of steps I take on any given day. On days when I started out by walking 3-3.5 miles with the dogs, I came in only around 8-9k. Still short of the mark. On days that I didn't walk the dogs (I know, I know, for shame...), I came in around 3k. Miserable machine!
My one triumph was Wednesday, when I both walked the dogs in the morning (3.69miles), and went for a hike that evening (3.5 miles). Steps that day: 17,890! But let's be honest, the odds of me doing anything remotely like that on a regular basis are slim to none. I've taken to walking in place in the kitchen while making dinner, but I think it only serves to make me look ridiculous; I'm not sure the pedometer even "sees" those steps. le sigh.
Anyway, here's the breakdown for the week:
Day / Miles / Steps
Sunday / 8.57-bike / no ped yet
Monday / 3.02-walk / 9485
Tuesday / 0.00 / 3117
Wednesday / 7.19-walk / 17,890
Thursday / 0.0 / 3445
Friday / 3.47-walk / 8562
Saturday / 0.0 / forgot to wear the ped
TOTALS: 22.25 miles / 42,499 steps
I have no idea where that puts me for the month, because I forgot to look at my old post and I've been too lazy to write it down in my planner, where it really should go. It would save me a lot of time at the end/beginning of the week when I'm doing these recaps. There is a lot of button pushing and scrolling through workouts to get to the numbers. So perhaps I'll get on that.
The 'rents are coming in on Wednesday for a week's visit, weather allowing. Supposedly some big ice storm is set to hit their neck of the woods, just in time to make driving 2 hours to the airport a real fiasco. Here's hoping the weatherman is wrong this time too. All this is to say that, assuming my folks make their flight, chances are high that I *won't* be posting much this week.
That's funny. It implies that in other circumstances I might post 5 times a day or some such. lol.
You get my meaning. So that promised excursion to the summer of '08 will likely wait a little longer. But here are a couple photos from a hiking trip I took way back then (to Woods Canyon Lake), just to keep you interested:
It was so amazingly beautiful up there. Green. And green. With wind and water and vegetation that was green. /sigh
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Giddy
I am thankful that I have a job that allowed me to watch streaming video of Today's Events. I was able to successfully complete my assigned tasks, but I will admit that there were a lot of breaks taken to oogle the massive display of hope and excitement and pride playing out on my computer screen.
I was stunned at the numbers of people who showed up for the event, and even more blown away by the amount of preparation that went into providing for them--the miles of chairs, 20 or so giant screens(I'm totally guessing here) that allowed the folks over a half mile away to see what was happening at the podium, the warming stations, the blankets that were handed out, the security, the transporation...it was mind blowing.
I was awed by the enormity of the occasion itself. The formality of it all really made me proud. We, as Americans, don't have a lot of real "culture" to call our own--it's all a mishmash of the immigrant communities that make us These United States--but oh, the ceremony of the day! The motorcades and the banners and flags, the military personnel stationed at every gateway and portal. . . And the millions of people clamoring for the tiniest view of the new president--the joy and hope on the faces as the cameras panned the crowd... It really felt like America.
I am not naive enough to think that things are going to change overnight. I am, however, giddy with the thought that we have finally come together as a country and spoken out about some changes that we'd *like* to see--that we *need* to see. I believe that we have chosen the administration to bring about some of those changes. It's not going to be painless, and in fact it's probably going to get worse before it gets better, but I believe that it will happen.
Yes, It Can.
I was stunned at the numbers of people who showed up for the event, and even more blown away by the amount of preparation that went into providing for them--the miles of chairs, 20 or so giant screens(I'm totally guessing here) that allowed the folks over a half mile away to see what was happening at the podium, the warming stations, the blankets that were handed out, the security, the transporation...it was mind blowing.
I was awed by the enormity of the occasion itself. The formality of it all really made me proud. We, as Americans, don't have a lot of real "culture" to call our own--it's all a mishmash of the immigrant communities that make us These United States--but oh, the ceremony of the day! The motorcades and the banners and flags, the military personnel stationed at every gateway and portal. . . And the millions of people clamoring for the tiniest view of the new president--the joy and hope on the faces as the cameras panned the crowd... It really felt like America.
I am not naive enough to think that things are going to change overnight. I am, however, giddy with the thought that we have finally come together as a country and spoken out about some changes that we'd *like* to see--that we *need* to see. I believe that we have chosen the administration to bring about some of those changes. It's not going to be painless, and in fact it's probably going to get worse before it gets better, but I believe that it will happen.
Yes, It Can.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A note on mileages
So I slacked off a bit last week, and I'm going to call it the fault of my allergies, which started kicking my BUTT on Sunday. I simply could not drag my sorry self out of bed early enough to get any exercise in for the next three days.
However, I did really well the previous week, and I've gotten this week off to a good start, so I'm not calling my Resolution a bust.
Here's what I have so far:
Week ending / Miles:
Jan 3 / 8.29(w)
Jan 10 / 6.71(w) 20.13(b)
Jan 17 / 8.63
Jan 24 / 8.57(b)
TOTAL: 52.33
Which means I've averaged 2.9 miles a day--barely over my goal, but beating it nonetheless. I'm feeling manky again today after my ride this morning, but I've managed to get some allergy meds down my gullet, so hopefully I'll get some decent sleep and be up and at 'em in the morning.
Oh, and the pedometer I ordered after Christmas has finally come in, so I'm going to play with that this week and see if I even get close to the magical 10,000 step mark.
Later this week: More on the joys of Wii Fit and my sundry hikes during my Summer of Freedom and Gloom 08. Woo.
However, I did really well the previous week, and I've gotten this week off to a good start, so I'm not calling my Resolution a bust.
Here's what I have so far:
Week ending / Miles:
Jan 3 / 8.29(w)
Jan 10 / 6.71(w) 20.13(b)
Jan 17 / 8.63
Jan 24 / 8.57(b)
TOTAL: 52.33
Which means I've averaged 2.9 miles a day--barely over my goal, but beating it nonetheless. I'm feeling manky again today after my ride this morning, but I've managed to get some allergy meds down my gullet, so hopefully I'll get some decent sleep and be up and at 'em in the morning.
Oh, and the pedometer I ordered after Christmas has finally come in, so I'm going to play with that this week and see if I even get close to the magical 10,000 step mark.
Later this week: More on the joys of Wii Fit and my sundry hikes during my Summer of Freedom and Gloom 08. Woo.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I'd better get this done. . .
Before another day goes by and I'm a full week without posting. Oh. The Horror.
So yeah, in real life, I rode my bike Saturday morning. TWENTY MILES. /flex
To be honest, I was not planning this. If someone had said to me before hand "we're going to ride about 2o miles today", I would have laughed nervously and suddenly remembered that I had a broken leg, or that I had to give birth later in the day and couldn't possibly work a ride that long into my schedule. As it was, we intended to ride about 10-12 miles....and just kept going.
It was a ride I joined via Meetup.com, so I didn't know the people (turned out a couple people bailed so it was just me and one other gal) I was riding with, and I was barely familiar with where we'd be riding (along the canals in Scottsdale, which was an enabler to the length of the ride--they are very fast and easy riding). As it turned out, though, the ride leader and I got along just fine, and ended up riding well past where we thought we'd end up. We also stopped at a groovy little farmers' market along the way and sampled some of Sam The Chocolate Guy's goods (mayan chocolate--yum!).
Unfortunately, I presumed that since I had ridden 20 miles that morning on my bike, I could eat anything I wanted in whatever quantity I deemed desireable. This turned out to be not such a good idea, as by Sunday morning I had not only gained back any previously lost poundage (truth be known, I'm chalking it up to muscle gain!! that's my story, and I'm stickin to it!), but also felt quite sick.
I really need to start jumping on the Wii Fit every morning again. There is nothing like a sweet little electronic voice "tsk tsking" at you to shore up your willpower against naughty things like cookies and sweet sweet coffee drinks.
At this point, though, I've gained back nearly all the weight I lost last summer, and I am loathe to climb aboard and watch the graph line shoot through the top of the telly. And I really don't think I can bear to hear the disappointment in my Wii trainer's voice. So the plan is to lose a bit more on my own before I go back to the balance board. I might just have to suck it up though, because if last Saturday was any indication, I'm pretty full of fail on the whole "do it yourself" mode of fitness.
Besides, I better get serious if I'm going to spend 6 months on an Australian island. (hahaha, I know the link is broken--I don't think they really anticipated the response. Fairly naive, I feel, if you're advertising to pay someone $100k to spend 6 months vacationing and blogging about their experiences.)
Link-o-Licious!
<3
So yeah, in real life, I rode my bike Saturday morning. TWENTY MILES. /flex
To be honest, I was not planning this. If someone had said to me before hand "we're going to ride about 2o miles today", I would have laughed nervously and suddenly remembered that I had a broken leg, or that I had to give birth later in the day and couldn't possibly work a ride that long into my schedule. As it was, we intended to ride about 10-12 miles....and just kept going.
It was a ride I joined via Meetup.com, so I didn't know the people (turned out a couple people bailed so it was just me and one other gal) I was riding with, and I was barely familiar with where we'd be riding (along the canals in Scottsdale, which was an enabler to the length of the ride--they are very fast and easy riding). As it turned out, though, the ride leader and I got along just fine, and ended up riding well past where we thought we'd end up. We also stopped at a groovy little farmers' market along the way and sampled some of Sam The Chocolate Guy's goods (mayan chocolate--yum!).
Unfortunately, I presumed that since I had ridden 20 miles that morning on my bike, I could eat anything I wanted in whatever quantity I deemed desireable. This turned out to be not such a good idea, as by Sunday morning I had not only gained back any previously lost poundage (truth be known, I'm chalking it up to muscle gain!! that's my story, and I'm stickin to it!), but also felt quite sick.
I really need to start jumping on the Wii Fit every morning again. There is nothing like a sweet little electronic voice "tsk tsking" at you to shore up your willpower against naughty things like cookies and sweet sweet coffee drinks.
At this point, though, I've gained back nearly all the weight I lost last summer, and I am loathe to climb aboard and watch the graph line shoot through the top of the telly. And I really don't think I can bear to hear the disappointment in my Wii trainer's voice. So the plan is to lose a bit more on my own before I go back to the balance board. I might just have to suck it up though, because if last Saturday was any indication, I'm pretty full of fail on the whole "do it yourself" mode of fitness.
Besides, I better get serious if I'm going to spend 6 months on an Australian island. (hahaha, I know the link is broken--I don't think they really anticipated the response. Fairly naive, I feel, if you're advertising to pay someone $100k to spend 6 months vacationing and blogging about their experiences.)
Link-o-Licious!
<3
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Hump Day!
Whenever I hear that phrase, I actually envision the week as a giant surly camel, with Wednesday teetering precariously on its hump (it's always a dromedary, because Wednesday is so big that it would simply sit across the humps of a bactrian camel. . . the single hump is key). True story.
Not only is it Wednesday, but it's also the 7th of January. Date-wise, we're a week into the New Year. Here are my totals so far:
8.34 miles last week
6.85 miles so far this week
Which makes for a grand total of 15.19 miles over the course of 7 days. Just over 2 miles a day; it appears that I'm barely ekeing by! Thing is, I've been doing a fair amount of non-linear exercising as well--I just don't know how to translate that into mileage.
Anyway.
Quickly, very quickly, as my computer cutoff for the evening is about to strike, let me jump back a month or so ago when I was telling stories of a trip to the Midwest.
You'll recall that I first hit the Casa De Parentals, and then zoomed up to KC to visit My Best Friend in the Whole World Even England. I was supposed to have left for home after visiting with her and her family for a few days, but I was compelled to go back and spend some more time in the boonies with no cable and intermittent DSL. So I called Southwest and switched my flight to a week later (hey, I was unemployed--what I lacked in money I more than made up for in Free Time), and back to the 'rents' I went.
I knitted some more, probably worked in the yard some more, surely played a lot of solitaire on the computer because there is only so much network television I can take (Honestly, I don't know how they do it. I'm SO showing them the glory of Hulu when they come visit!). It was a lovely lovely time, but eventually I had to come back to the reality of unemployment in Phoenix.
Fortunately, I had in my pocket a gift--or rather the promise of a gift. A gift that would distract me, entertain me, and enable me to get some exercise during the Months in Which I Do Not Leave The House. I had in my pocket a Wii Fit (well not *really*...more like a gift card...a LOT like a check in my name so that I could pick it up when I got back to Phoenix. Happy Birthday!).
Not only is it Wednesday, but it's also the 7th of January. Date-wise, we're a week into the New Year. Here are my totals so far:
8.34 miles last week
6.85 miles so far this week
Which makes for a grand total of 15.19 miles over the course of 7 days. Just over 2 miles a day; it appears that I'm barely ekeing by! Thing is, I've been doing a fair amount of non-linear exercising as well--I just don't know how to translate that into mileage.
Anyway.
Quickly, very quickly, as my computer cutoff for the evening is about to strike, let me jump back a month or so ago when I was telling stories of a trip to the Midwest.
You'll recall that I first hit the Casa De Parentals, and then zoomed up to KC to visit My Best Friend in the Whole World Even England. I was supposed to have left for home after visiting with her and her family for a few days, but I was compelled to go back and spend some more time in the boonies with no cable and intermittent DSL. So I called Southwest and switched my flight to a week later (hey, I was unemployed--what I lacked in money I more than made up for in Free Time), and back to the 'rents' I went.
I knitted some more, probably worked in the yard some more, surely played a lot of solitaire on the computer because there is only so much network television I can take (Honestly, I don't know how they do it. I'm SO showing them the glory of Hulu when they come visit!). It was a lovely lovely time, but eventually I had to come back to the reality of unemployment in Phoenix.
Fortunately, I had in my pocket a gift--or rather the promise of a gift. A gift that would distract me, entertain me, and enable me to get some exercise during the Months in Which I Do Not Leave The House. I had in my pocket a Wii Fit (well not *really*...more like a gift card...a LOT like a check in my name so that I could pick it up when I got back to Phoenix. Happy Birthday!).
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Arbitrary Restart
I'm a bit dubious of New Year's Resolutions. It's a great tradition and all, but it seems a bit callow to make a bunch of 180 degree turns in your personality and mannerisms just because of specific date on a calendar.
That said, I always make a couple. I guess I'm hopeful that some strange twist of fate or alignment of the stars will actually enable me to make things stick this time around--to help me make the changes that I'm apparently incapable of making on my own at any point in the year.
I like to leave my New Year's Resolutions kind of loose, so if I fail, it will be harder to pin it down as an absolute miss of the mark. I don't like to Resolve to lose 15 lbs. I prefer to say that I'll get in better shape. Nor will I say "I will no longer eat candy and consistently od on sugars." Rather, I say "I'll eat more healthfully."
This year I abandoned that tack, for the most part. I have made the obligatory promises to treat my body better--to exercise more and eat more veggies and whatnot--I would feel that I was letting down the Gods of Tradition if I left those out. But I have also made the following, quantitative, resolutions:
I will log, whether on foot or on bike (or swimming if it comes up), 60 miles a month. Sounds like a lot, but it's a paltry amount, really--and sadly more than I've managed to accumulate in recent memory. And I'm not talking about the distant that might be racked up in my numerous trips to see if anything nommable has suddenly appeared in the fridge. I'm talking about purposeful travel. Walking the dogs, hiking, going for a bike ride. Actual exercise.
I also originally thought that I might resolve to write three times a week here. But that seems, really, to be setting myself (and you?) up for disappointment. Once a week seems a better goal, given my propensity for getting wildly distracted and then overwhelmed with my own thoughts to the point of speechlessness.
Yes. Two *real* resolutions. I think it's about all I can handle. And so far I've done fairly well with them. I've logged 11.5 miles this year so far (so I can sit on my butt for a couple now??), and have written twice in three days.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go play on the computer for the next 35 minutes so I can shut it down by 8pm. (It's another unspoken goal I've given myself, but I'm pretty sure it won't last, so I'm not going to mention it now.) Getting a full night of sleep has proven quite satisfying to me for the past couple nights, although I'm not sure what the dogs or the man make of me waking up before 6am on my own.
That said, I always make a couple. I guess I'm hopeful that some strange twist of fate or alignment of the stars will actually enable me to make things stick this time around--to help me make the changes that I'm apparently incapable of making on my own at any point in the year.
I like to leave my New Year's Resolutions kind of loose, so if I fail, it will be harder to pin it down as an absolute miss of the mark. I don't like to Resolve to lose 15 lbs. I prefer to say that I'll get in better shape. Nor will I say "I will no longer eat candy and consistently od on sugars." Rather, I say "I'll eat more healthfully."
This year I abandoned that tack, for the most part. I have made the obligatory promises to treat my body better--to exercise more and eat more veggies and whatnot--I would feel that I was letting down the Gods of Tradition if I left those out. But I have also made the following, quantitative, resolutions:
I will log, whether on foot or on bike (or swimming if it comes up), 60 miles a month. Sounds like a lot, but it's a paltry amount, really--and sadly more than I've managed to accumulate in recent memory. And I'm not talking about the distant that might be racked up in my numerous trips to see if anything nommable has suddenly appeared in the fridge. I'm talking about purposeful travel. Walking the dogs, hiking, going for a bike ride. Actual exercise.
I also originally thought that I might resolve to write three times a week here. But that seems, really, to be setting myself (and you?) up for disappointment. Once a week seems a better goal, given my propensity for getting wildly distracted and then overwhelmed with my own thoughts to the point of speechlessness.
Yes. Two *real* resolutions. I think it's about all I can handle. And so far I've done fairly well with them. I've logged 11.5 miles this year so far (so I can sit on my butt for a couple now??), and have written twice in three days.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go play on the computer for the next 35 minutes so I can shut it down by 8pm. (It's another unspoken goal I've given myself, but I'm pretty sure it won't last, so I'm not going to mention it now.) Getting a full night of sleep has proven quite satisfying to me for the past couple nights, although I'm not sure what the dogs or the man make of me waking up before 6am on my own.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Today
Today is the first day of the rest of this year. Profundity at its best, ladies and gents.
I had big plans for a big blowout of a post, to bring attention to the fact that I have resolved--yet again--to do better at this. To write more. To post more photos.
But the fact of the matter is, after a beautiful hike this morning at Pinnacle Peak Park:
I am pooped and have a whopping headache to boot. (yes, that's a house nestled at the foot of that mountain that I just hiked over. must suck for those people to have to live out here in the middle of a beautiful nature area, with all those trails out their back door. I feel sorry for them.)
So. Welcome to 2009. Welcome to my blog. When I shake this headache and get some rest, I'll be back!
I had big plans for a big blowout of a post, to bring attention to the fact that I have resolved--yet again--to do better at this. To write more. To post more photos.
But the fact of the matter is, after a beautiful hike this morning at Pinnacle Peak Park:
I am pooped and have a whopping headache to boot. (yes, that's a house nestled at the foot of that mountain that I just hiked over. must suck for those people to have to live out here in the middle of a beautiful nature area, with all those trails out their back door. I feel sorry for them.)So. Welcome to 2009. Welcome to my blog. When I shake this headache and get some rest, I'll be back!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)