Change of Plans

Well, my knees have been a little achy recently so running has not been as easy, and with the amount of work (and social activities) I have been doing training has not been as often as I like. Then there is the $1500 that I know I would not have raised by April 27. And since I have a free airline ticket to use somewhere I am going to change my MS Challenge date and turn it into a mini-vacation. I just cant decide which one I want to do. There are a few I am interested in...

- Cape Cod, MA - Sept 7 - 9
- Washington DC - Sept 28 - 30

There are also 2 places doing 30 mile events, Philadelphia (Historic Brandywine Valley) and Chesapeake Bay (Annapolis to Baltimore), but I really wanna do a 50 miler. So, input on which one to do is appreciated. :-)

Taking a break from doing stuff for work this evening. Pulling a late one at the office before band. I hate this "behind" feeling I have.

So long for now.

Creating Smiles

- The view coming around the bend of Huger St. onto I-126 and seeing the land out before me with all the different shades of green where the trees are getting leaves.

- The deep tones of bass at a concert where the concrete bleachers under your feet vibrate and your heart feels the sound waves.

- "I wish my grass was emo so it would cut itself"

- The epiphany of realizing what is perfect for a situation and being crazy excited about it.

- Discovering someone trusts in you and is a better friend than you thought.

- A great new find on the radio.

St., Patricks Get to The Green 5K

So, I ran the race yesterday morning. Justin and Eric convinced me to do it, although "convince" really isn't the best word. But, all the results are here. Just to summarize..

I finished 993 out of 1051, by completing it in 37:52, or 12:12 miles. That was 431 out of 473 females, and 96 of 101 females in the 20 - 24 age bracket. Other people I knew finished...

-- Justin: 1039th, 43:29, 14:00 miles
-- Eric: I am guessing around 860th, at 33:00ish, but he is not on the list and I guess that because he told me 33 minutes and he ran with his friend Jeff that appears on the list around there.
-- Mike: (Marty's brother) 789th, 31:34, 10:10 miles
-- David: (old client) 680th, 29:59, 9:39 miles

The fastest person did it in 15:23, 4:58 miles.

I also browsed the list for other names I knew. The guy I am going to be getting my new car & home insurance from, Jon Keisler, Allstate - finished 491st, 27:50, 8:58 miles.

Participants Requested

There are 2 events I am going to do, and I need someone (at least one person) do train and do each of them with me. You in?

MS Challenge Walk - 50 miles over 3 days in Palm Key, SC It is $55 to register and they provide everything once you arrive (food, lodging, etc.). They key is that you have to raise $1500 in pledges (they give you the tools for how to do it). It is April 27-29.

Providence 2007 Heart & Sole - Women's 5 mile Run So, my realm of partners for this one is slightly limited. SJ?? I guess anyone could train with me though, and boys you are welcome to come support me. It is on May 5th.

Let me know if you are at least interested in training with me. That is where I need to start. I want to find a partner to register with for the MS walk at least before the end of next week. So, I am coming after you! :-)

With Purpose

I feel like the last few days have been lived with purpose. With drive. And with happiness. It has been hard work, but I don't think I have had such a fulfilling week in a long time. I guess it really started on Saturday last weekend...

Mom and I went shopping and I got some great new clothes. 4 dresses, 3 pairs of pants (a size smaller than expected I must add), 2 shirts, and 2 skirts. That was followed by a great day on Sunday where I laid out to get some sun, washed the car, had lunch at Gourmet Shop and walked 2.5 miles at Riverfront park with SJ, Hannah & Sarge, and then had dinner at Carlo's with Jamie & Michael. Monday at work was good and that afternoon I ran/walked 5 miles with Justin at Riverfront park. Tuesday was also a good day at work and I had a "date" or sorts. Wednesday was a good day at work again and Justin and I ran/walked the St. Patties 5K course down in 5pts/Shandon. I made it in 40 minutes. Today was yet another good day at work, and Justin and I did the 5K course again. I also had band tonite, which was enjoyable.

Well, let me take that last statement back. Close your eyes, picture this. No, strike that. If you close your eyes then you can't read, and honestly the picture is not that great. So read and imagine this. I think that will work better...

Sitting in a sauna in a really uncomfortable chair playing the bassoon while wearing one of those nose oxygen things, but instead of it pumping O2 it is pumping cigarette smoke.

Yeah, not cool.

That is sort of what it felt like at band tonight. The other bassoon player was back and he reaked of cigarette smoke, and the band room was CRAZY hot. It was not enjoyable in terms of atmosphere, but playing was fun. I guess I should say that is only to some extent though because I am not in love with all of the music we are playing. You win some and you lose some.

Upcoming events include a trip to court for stuff with Justin tomorrow, a hair appointment and Greek food dinner in Florence tomorrow night, a potential run in the St. Patties Day 5K down in 5 points, other St. Patties festivities (Will Hoge show, seeing Tara, etc.), and hopefully another productive Sunday. Next week I am seeing Switchfoot & Copeland at Headliners with Carlo, going to ATL to see Snow Patrol and OK Go with Carlo, continuing my running endeavors, and some other stuff. I am sure. All in all, it should be wonderful.

I guess I ought to work on going to bed though.

So Long!

Derailed

It was a weird week, and at one point I thought I was going to become derailed, but the promise of a weekend and good week next week held me together and here I am the survivor of 5 work days and a lady ready to take on the world.

It was little things...breaking my sunglasses, getting in the wreck, letting my domain expire (hence the lack of other writing the other night), lots of work, a power outage in the middle of the night, and slight boy frustration that got me there. I cannot complain at all though. I am alive, I am happy, I have a cool cat (must remember to write about that), and have friends, I have interests, I have a great job. The key there is that I have.

Talk about derailed though. To all the people in Alabama and across the rest of the US that are dealing with loss of life, possession, and normalcy - be strong. Each day can only get better from here. And to the families and friends connected to the tragic bus accident down in ATL. Wow. I say the same to you. Be strong.

I also say a congrats to all involved with the Anna Nicole Smith stuff. She is finally laid to rest and perhaps all those people can get their lives back to normal. Whatever normal happens to be for people like that. It just shocks me sometimes.

Mr. Suki had two trips this week. One was to Pets Inc. for a shot. He was in the box for nearly 2 hours and was NOT a happy camper. Yesterday he had to go to the vet in order to get neutered and get his rabies shot. I got him dropped off yesterday morning and was back at Dr. Cheathams office to pick him up around 5:00. The interesting part was that all he got was his rabies shot. The Doc took Pets' word for it when they said he needed to be neutered. As it turned out, he didn't. Mr. Suki has already been taken care of. I guess the amusing part was the the Doc didn't realize until he had already been knocked out.

SJ, Hannah, and I went out last night. It was fab. We had a lovely time and I introduced them to that Taylor Swift song I profiled the other week on the music page.

Today I am going to that play, and perhaps to do a little shoe shopping. We shall see what comes up.

So Long.