one of the best throwers in the world is retiring. this guy is a beast!
i'm going back to bed...
9.14.2006
exams and big enginesnnnnn
first news:
CHRIS PASSED HIS ORAL EXAM!!! now he's officially a PhD candidate at UMD. several of the people involved, either panel or audience, are internationally renowned mathematicians, and they told him things along the lines of "fantastic/excellent job," "very well prepared," "well executed," etc. he presented his material for ~50 minutes, and then the panel asked him one question. ONE. and after short discussion, they passed him.
:)
other news:
not news, per se, but rather good feelings. teaching has been going well. i'm enjoying it, and even though the kids and i butt heads sometimes, we get along. we all seem to be learning one thing or another! in addition to my English and Literature classes, i get to teach an aviation class. how awesome is that?! hopefully, we can get into rocketry. and build rockets.
why do i get the feeling that that might not be my most brilliant idea?
anyway, the kids got to pick their enrichment class, and apparently my aviation section filled up pretty quickly. not bad for a lady that most of the kids don't even know! i'm hoping that we can go to the air & space museum annex at dulles airport. that would be the crowning event for the year. freakin awesome.
my favorite aircraft:
rotor wing--the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter
fixed wing--the SR-71 Blackbird
CHRIS PASSED HIS ORAL EXAM!!! now he's officially a PhD candidate at UMD. several of the people involved, either panel or audience, are internationally renowned mathematicians, and they told him things along the lines of "fantastic/excellent job," "very well prepared," "well executed," etc. he presented his material for ~50 minutes, and then the panel asked him one question. ONE. and after short discussion, they passed him.
:)
other news:
not news, per se, but rather good feelings. teaching has been going well. i'm enjoying it, and even though the kids and i butt heads sometimes, we get along. we all seem to be learning one thing or another! in addition to my English and Literature classes, i get to teach an aviation class. how awesome is that?! hopefully, we can get into rocketry. and build rockets.
why do i get the feeling that that might not be my most brilliant idea?
anyway, the kids got to pick their enrichment class, and apparently my aviation section filled up pretty quickly. not bad for a lady that most of the kids don't even know! i'm hoping that we can go to the air & space museum annex at dulles airport. that would be the crowning event for the year. freakin awesome.
my favorite aircraft:
rotor wing--the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter
fixed wing--the SR-71 Blackbird
i don't know other girls who have a favorite aircraft. would i be considered that much hotter then?
that would be cool....
:)
9.11.2006
9.10.2006
i want more cake...
it's been a long summer that's turned into a long start to the school year. but, i'm fine.
recent excitement: getting side-swiped by ghetto-mobile in PG county friday night. like i said, i'm fine. it's just that my car is limping right now. that's what makes me sad. i<3>
good stuff: a) FOOTBALL!!!! the ravens AND the eagles won today. the planets must be aligned. b) TENNIS!!!! i'm watching the third set of the u.s. open men's final, with 4 games all. andy roddick is the rock star personality while roger federer is the deceptively cagey artist. and i do mean artist. i love andy's athleticism and raw strength, but federer has pin-point accuracy and can place the ball on a dime anywhere in the court. i would like for roddick to win, but whatever the result, it's still a very satisfying, riveting match. awesome.
nerves: chris has his oral exam coming up on wednesday, and he expects it to be brutal. i can't get there in time for it to start, and i hate that. i wish i could be there. but anyway, it starts out with a big presentation, followed by open Q&A (apparently, it doubles as a seminar) wherein other professors and graduate students can ask him ANYTHING. then, there's the private Q&A conducted with only his committee members. lastly, they finally kick him out of the room and decide whether to grant chris candidate status. personally, despite its inhumane degree of pressure, i deeply believe that chris will pass. he works SO hard. if you know him, you know what i'm talking about. anyway, send some good vibes on wednesday. i'm already proud of him.
:)
recent excitement: getting side-swiped by ghetto-mobile in PG county friday night. like i said, i'm fine. it's just that my car is limping right now. that's what makes me sad. i<3>
good stuff: a) FOOTBALL!!!! the ravens AND the eagles won today. the planets must be aligned. b) TENNIS!!!! i'm watching the third set of the u.s. open men's final, with 4 games all. andy roddick is the rock star personality while roger federer is the deceptively cagey artist. and i do mean artist. i love andy's athleticism and raw strength, but federer has pin-point accuracy and can place the ball on a dime anywhere in the court. i would like for roddick to win, but whatever the result, it's still a very satisfying, riveting match. awesome.
nerves: chris has his oral exam coming up on wednesday, and he expects it to be brutal. i can't get there in time for it to start, and i hate that. i wish i could be there. but anyway, it starts out with a big presentation, followed by open Q&A (apparently, it doubles as a seminar) wherein other professors and graduate students can ask him ANYTHING. then, there's the private Q&A conducted with only his committee members. lastly, they finally kick him out of the room and decide whether to grant chris candidate status. personally, despite its inhumane degree of pressure, i deeply believe that chris will pass. he works SO hard. if you know him, you know what i'm talking about. anyway, send some good vibes on wednesday. i'm already proud of him.
:)
8.28.2006
better than sex cake
the ladies have decided that, considering the nature of the male beast, it will now be called "foreplay cake." although, in the case of some gentlemen, it's "better than second base cake."
sorry, guys.
question: LADIES! are there times when you would rather have the aforementioned cake as opposed to its male substitute? is it worth it to have one of our headaches just to have the cake instead?
film at eleven...
sorry, guys.
question: LADIES! are there times when you would rather have the aforementioned cake as opposed to its male substitute? is it worth it to have one of our headaches just to have the cake instead?
film at eleven...
8.25.2006
two decent runs in a row?
go figure. i was feeling like crap all day, really noting the chunk that's been hanging on to me. the guys i know are like, "oh, shut up, you look fine," blah, blah, blah. and guys, trust me, i appreciate it. i don't disbelieve you. but, every woman will know what i mean when i say that there are fat days. and i've been having a fat month. my guess is that my up-and-down summer is catching up with me.
ANYWAY.
i went for a little run tonight, just doing another short out-and-back. i added only five minutes, to make it 25 total. the way i see it, it's better to do straightforward, mentally easy runs for now. that'll probably make it easier to get back into things. awesome.
ANYWAY.
i went for a little run tonight, just doing another short out-and-back. i added only five minutes, to make it 25 total. the way i see it, it's better to do straightforward, mentally easy runs for now. that'll probably make it easier to get back into things. awesome.
8.24.2006
so tired, and yet still antsy...
i finally ran again tonight. i'd been so nervous to go out again, thanks to this past summer--getting sick for an entire weekend following a run, passing out, almost passing out, being taken to the ER. i took it slow, went for only 20 minutes. i felt pretty good about it, and afterward i did a few little exercises here in the apartment. it's encouraging, so maybe i'll go again tomorrow. i'm not counting on the philly distance festival next month, but i'm hoping that i'll be okay for the october races, especially the army ten miler. i'll take little steps, but maybe eventually i'll get over my nervousness and be able to train regularly.
other than running, things have been really good. i start teaching at a little school in essex on monday, and i'm anxious to get going with 7th grade english. last night was parent night, and i think i rocked the house. even though it'll be a lot of Very Hard Work, it should also be awesome. wish me luck!
but now i have to go to bed on time. crap...
i finally ran again tonight. i'd been so nervous to go out again, thanks to this past summer--getting sick for an entire weekend following a run, passing out, almost passing out, being taken to the ER. i took it slow, went for only 20 minutes. i felt pretty good about it, and afterward i did a few little exercises here in the apartment. it's encouraging, so maybe i'll go again tomorrow. i'm not counting on the philly distance festival next month, but i'm hoping that i'll be okay for the october races, especially the army ten miler. i'll take little steps, but maybe eventually i'll get over my nervousness and be able to train regularly.
other than running, things have been really good. i start teaching at a little school in essex on monday, and i'm anxious to get going with 7th grade english. last night was parent night, and i think i rocked the house. even though it'll be a lot of Very Hard Work, it should also be awesome. wish me luck!
but now i have to go to bed on time. crap...
8.13.2006
this is getting ridiculous
so this past week was supposed to be the great relaxing beach vacation that i haven't had IN years. and, thank you, murphy's law, it wasn't.
set up: mom & dad got a fantastic little condo in OC for a week, and chris & i were going down for a few days. geoff & co. were going to be there for a few days too.
get down there. dad is already having major stomach issues and thus travels between his bedroom and bathroom. geoff & co. aren't coming down until the next day. but chris & i enjoy a beautiful walk on the beach. aww. next day. on the beach with chris. awesome. geoff & co. arrive, and the family dynamics kick in. put fairly behaviorally-conservative big brother and outspoken, offbeat boyfriend in close quarters for a few hours and blend. oil and water. huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge tension. discomfort. tears on my part. WHY can't things gel as well i want? geoff all quietly, but obviously, perturbed, and chris uncomfortable. fantastic. me. IN TEARS. oh, and fyi-dad in the ER because of his gastro-intestinal problems.
FUCKING AWESOME.
however, that night: two-on-two with chris & me and geoff & mia. it's pretty obvious that the men are making an effort to not rock the boat and get to know each other and the women are helping with conversation segues and bump-smoothers. thankfully, it goes okay, and by the time chris & i leave for a night out, there's a subtle sigh of relief on both camps that things are pretty okay. apparently, i was the one that was the most uncomfortable and was perceiving more of a problem then there was.
next day: dad still in the ER but in okay condition, but he has some kind of rupture/etc. that has to be surgically repaired. poor dad. mom, the trooper, at the hospital with him. me in emotional crisis. brother and boyfriend adjusting. yick. but, all of us, sans mom & dad, get some beautiful beach time. we all vacate the condo after awhile. it seems that everything has been so up and down and may settle any way.
that night: i'm driving home, and chris & i get lost TWICE. stupid delaware. delaware sucks. oh. and i get a ticket. $110. stupid delaware. it takes FOUR AND A HALF HOURS TO GET HOME. we don't get back until 2AM.
this caps off the most emotionally roller-coaster-istic summer in my life. *parting* ways with a roommate, no job, finding a new place, doing a lot of the moving mostly myself, getting a job and finding out less than 10 minutes later that my grandpa had passed away, the most amazing relationship moment in my life, this vacation.
whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
right?
set up: mom & dad got a fantastic little condo in OC for a week, and chris & i were going down for a few days. geoff & co. were going to be there for a few days too.
get down there. dad is already having major stomach issues and thus travels between his bedroom and bathroom. geoff & co. aren't coming down until the next day. but chris & i enjoy a beautiful walk on the beach. aww. next day. on the beach with chris. awesome. geoff & co. arrive, and the family dynamics kick in. put fairly behaviorally-conservative big brother and outspoken, offbeat boyfriend in close quarters for a few hours and blend. oil and water. huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge tension. discomfort. tears on my part. WHY can't things gel as well i want? geoff all quietly, but obviously, perturbed, and chris uncomfortable. fantastic. me. IN TEARS. oh, and fyi-dad in the ER because of his gastro-intestinal problems.
FUCKING AWESOME.
however, that night: two-on-two with chris & me and geoff & mia. it's pretty obvious that the men are making an effort to not rock the boat and get to know each other and the women are helping with conversation segues and bump-smoothers. thankfully, it goes okay, and by the time chris & i leave for a night out, there's a subtle sigh of relief on both camps that things are pretty okay. apparently, i was the one that was the most uncomfortable and was perceiving more of a problem then there was.
next day: dad still in the ER but in okay condition, but he has some kind of rupture/etc. that has to be surgically repaired. poor dad. mom, the trooper, at the hospital with him. me in emotional crisis. brother and boyfriend adjusting. yick. but, all of us, sans mom & dad, get some beautiful beach time. we all vacate the condo after awhile. it seems that everything has been so up and down and may settle any way.
that night: i'm driving home, and chris & i get lost TWICE. stupid delaware. delaware sucks. oh. and i get a ticket. $110. stupid delaware. it takes FOUR AND A HALF HOURS TO GET HOME. we don't get back until 2AM.
this caps off the most emotionally roller-coaster-istic summer in my life. *parting* ways with a roommate, no job, finding a new place, doing a lot of the moving mostly myself, getting a job and finding out less than 10 minutes later that my grandpa had passed away, the most amazing relationship moment in my life, this vacation.
whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
right?
8.07.2006
LOTS of things
is it too early to hate the redskins?
i am so exhausted. the past five weeks have been brutal, and the proverbial emotional rollercoaster almost ran off the tracks. fyi-i hate cliches. anyway, i'm completely moved, although i still have boxes of crap in my living room. i have a full-time job now: say hello to Mt. Carmel Elem's newest English teacher. look out, 7th graders! that was a very strange morning.
OLMC Elem's principal called me at 8:30 to tell me i'd gotten the job. i was ecstatic, and i called my parents. my dad answers, and i know immediately that something's wrong. then he told me that my grandpa had died earlier that morning. it had to have been not too long before my call because otherwise he would have called me. so within the space of ten minutes, i had gone from jumping up and down to crumpled on the floor. it's so strange.
one thing that i'm grateful for is my upcoming trip to the beach. God knows that i need a serious vacation. He already knows what i need before i do and comes through in spades.
in that vein, i feel a need to break open a bottle of champagne. or, on my budget of $0, a bottle of arbor mist. i don't think i've felt this way in years, and i'm so excited. revelations and vulnerabilities are so hard to come by, and the moment another person lets you in, you realize that your world has been changing. we picture pivotal moments and fairy tale words, but nothing ever happens the way we rehearse it in our heads. that makes it so much better.
at the moment, any pollock painting is pretty representative of my life right now, and it probably won't make much more sense anytime soon. but that's okay.
he colors it beautiful.
i am so exhausted. the past five weeks have been brutal, and the proverbial emotional rollercoaster almost ran off the tracks. fyi-i hate cliches. anyway, i'm completely moved, although i still have boxes of crap in my living room. i have a full-time job now: say hello to Mt. Carmel Elem's newest English teacher. look out, 7th graders! that was a very strange morning.
OLMC Elem's principal called me at 8:30 to tell me i'd gotten the job. i was ecstatic, and i called my parents. my dad answers, and i know immediately that something's wrong. then he told me that my grandpa had died earlier that morning. it had to have been not too long before my call because otherwise he would have called me. so within the space of ten minutes, i had gone from jumping up and down to crumpled on the floor. it's so strange.
one thing that i'm grateful for is my upcoming trip to the beach. God knows that i need a serious vacation. He already knows what i need before i do and comes through in spades.
in that vein, i feel a need to break open a bottle of champagne. or, on my budget of $0, a bottle of arbor mist. i don't think i've felt this way in years, and i'm so excited. revelations and vulnerabilities are so hard to come by, and the moment another person lets you in, you realize that your world has been changing. we picture pivotal moments and fairy tale words, but nothing ever happens the way we rehearse it in our heads. that makes it so much better.
at the moment, any pollock painting is pretty representative of my life right now, and it probably won't make much more sense anytime soon. but that's okay.
he colors it beautiful.
7.28.2006
i'm back! but not for long....
Survey Survey Survey
I am fortunate to have a survey to steal from Kim so that I have something to post after so long...
1.Where did you take your default pic? In front of the Belaggio (sp?) on my fabulous `04 trip to Vegas.
2.What exactly are you wearing right now? My khaki shorts and Chris's Florida shirt.
3.What is your current problem? I'm so tired.
4.What makes you most happy? Running and working out, sleep and hugs. And other stuff.
5.What's the name of the song that you're listening to? No music--I'm in the library. SHHHH!!!!
6.Any celeb you would marry? It'd be a tough act to follow Cheryl Crow, but hey--I think I could stand marrying Lance Armstrong.
7.Name someone with the same birthday as you? exactly--childhood friend Ben Smith. not exactly--chris. oh and steve handy. weird.
8.Ever sang in front of a large audience? Several times. I wasn't even booed off the stage!
9. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? I've been compared to Jodie Foster, but I can't see it.
10.Do you still watch kiddy movies or kiddie TV shows? I think today's "kiddy" movies are more sophisticated than "kiddy" movies. So of course I do.
11.Do you speak any other languages? I know snippets of Spanish, French and Russian.
12.Has anyone you've been really close with passed away? Grandma Hixson and, sadly quite recently, Grandpa Beatty
13.Do you ever watch MTV? Um... no.
14.What's something that really annoys you? Hearing other people's TV/stereo/etc. through my walls loud enough for me to repeat the words verbatim.
Chapter 1:
1.Middle name: Cates
2.Nickname(s): JoJo, Jo, Joey, Toots, Gimp
3. Location: Library
4.Eye color: *Oceany* Blue
Chapter 2:
1.Do you live with your parents: No! That's what the Kyle Boller Replacement Party is all about!!!
2.Do/Did you get along with your parent(s): Yes. We have our moments, but we're a tight knit bunch.
3.Are your parents married/separated/divorced: married for almost 37 years. They're old. :)
4.Do you have any Siblings?: Older brother (almost 30)
Chapter 3:
1. Ice Cream: tin roof sundae
2.Season: spring/fall
3.Shampoo/conditioner: some overpriced salon brand that works so much absolute magic that i don't mind paying $11 per bottle
Chapter 4: Do You..
1. Dance in the shower? No, but I do dance naked around my apartment.
2.Write on your hand: If I absoLUTEly have to remember something, yes.
3.Call people back: Not my favorite thing to do if it's a business call.
4.Believe in love: I hadn't been in it in years, but yes, it's definitely real.
5.Sleep on a certain side of the bed: just me--next to the vanity (closest to the door); not just me--furthest from the door.
6. Any bad habits: Laziness.
Chapter 5: Have You...
1.Broken a bone: Yes--I had a hairline fracture in my ankle in Feb `05, thanks to the snow-covered pothole.
2.Sprained stuff: Really? If you knew me, you wouldn't have to asked. Of course I've sprained everything.
3.Had physical therapy?: Yes. If it hadn't been for Sports Medicine at UMBC, I'd resemble a bucket of bolts more than the goddess of sports and wisdom that I am today. HA!
4.Gotten stitches: Yes, when I had to have a tooth surgically removed.
5.Taken painkillers: YES. Don't remember what it was, but apparently, I made a lot of phone calls that I don't remember. Sorry, Chris. :)
6.Gone SCUBA diving or snorkeling: Snorkeling in Puerto Rico--one of the most amazing things I've ever done in my life. I'll have to wait until I actually have $$$ to go scuba diving!
7.Been stung by a bee: Yes. If it weren't for honey, I'd destroy them all. Bastards.
8. Thrown up at the Dentist? No.
9.Sworn in front of your parents: Yeah. Remarkably, sometimes they still think of me as their sweet little girl. I really have them fooled. Jk.
10.Had detention: No.
11.Been sent to the principal's office: Yes, but only to be told that I was being torn asunder from my dearly held circle of friends and transferred to the classroom across the commons area--the "honors" class. Stupid first grade cursed me for life.
12.Been called an idiot: yeah, but these days, people don't even need to say anything. All they have to do is look and laugh. And then I punch them.
I am fortunate to have a survey to steal from Kim so that I have something to post after so long...
1.Where did you take your default pic? In front of the Belaggio (sp?) on my fabulous `04 trip to Vegas.
2.What exactly are you wearing right now? My khaki shorts and Chris's Florida shirt.
3.What is your current problem? I'm so tired.
4.What makes you most happy? Running and working out, sleep and hugs. And other stuff.
5.What's the name of the song that you're listening to? No music--I'm in the library. SHHHH!!!!
6.Any celeb you would marry? It'd be a tough act to follow Cheryl Crow, but hey--I think I could stand marrying Lance Armstrong.
7.Name someone with the same birthday as you? exactly--childhood friend Ben Smith. not exactly--chris. oh and steve handy. weird.
8.Ever sang in front of a large audience? Several times. I wasn't even booed off the stage!
9. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? I've been compared to Jodie Foster, but I can't see it.
10.Do you still watch kiddy movies or kiddie TV shows? I think today's "kiddy" movies are more sophisticated than "kiddy" movies. So of course I do.
11.Do you speak any other languages? I know snippets of Spanish, French and Russian.
12.Has anyone you've been really close with passed away? Grandma Hixson and, sadly quite recently, Grandpa Beatty
13.Do you ever watch MTV? Um... no.
14.What's something that really annoys you? Hearing other people's TV/stereo/etc. through my walls loud enough for me to repeat the words verbatim.
Chapter 1:
1.Middle name: Cates
2.Nickname(s): JoJo, Jo, Joey, Toots, Gimp
3. Location: Library
4.Eye color: *Oceany* Blue
Chapter 2:
1.Do you live with your parents: No! That's what the Kyle Boller Replacement Party is all about!!!
2.Do/Did you get along with your parent(s): Yes. We have our moments, but we're a tight knit bunch.
3.Are your parents married/separated/divorced: married for almost 37 years. They're old. :)
4.Do you have any Siblings?: Older brother (almost 30)
Chapter 3:
1. Ice Cream: tin roof sundae
2.Season: spring/fall
3.Shampoo/conditioner: some overpriced salon brand that works so much absolute magic that i don't mind paying $11 per bottle
Chapter 4: Do You..
1. Dance in the shower? No, but I do dance naked around my apartment.
2.Write on your hand: If I absoLUTEly have to remember something, yes.
3.Call people back: Not my favorite thing to do if it's a business call.
4.Believe in love: I hadn't been in it in years, but yes, it's definitely real.
5.Sleep on a certain side of the bed: just me--next to the vanity (closest to the door); not just me--furthest from the door.
6. Any bad habits: Laziness.
Chapter 5: Have You...
1.Broken a bone: Yes--I had a hairline fracture in my ankle in Feb `05, thanks to the snow-covered pothole.
2.Sprained stuff: Really? If you knew me, you wouldn't have to asked. Of course I've sprained everything.
3.Had physical therapy?: Yes. If it hadn't been for Sports Medicine at UMBC, I'd resemble a bucket of bolts more than the goddess of sports and wisdom that I am today. HA!
4.Gotten stitches: Yes, when I had to have a tooth surgically removed.
5.Taken painkillers: YES. Don't remember what it was, but apparently, I made a lot of phone calls that I don't remember. Sorry, Chris. :)
6.Gone SCUBA diving or snorkeling: Snorkeling in Puerto Rico--one of the most amazing things I've ever done in my life. I'll have to wait until I actually have $$$ to go scuba diving!
7.Been stung by a bee: Yes. If it weren't for honey, I'd destroy them all. Bastards.
8. Thrown up at the Dentist? No.
9.Sworn in front of your parents: Yeah. Remarkably, sometimes they still think of me as their sweet little girl. I really have them fooled. Jk.
10.Had detention: No.
11.Been sent to the principal's office: Yes, but only to be told that I was being torn asunder from my dearly held circle of friends and transferred to the classroom across the commons area--the "honors" class. Stupid first grade cursed me for life.
12.Been called an idiot: yeah, but these days, people don't even need to say anything. All they have to do is look and laugh. And then I punch them.
7.01.2006
stoop, lift, move, drop, run, puke
essentially, that was my past 24 hours. i'm 80% moved into my new apartment, with various and sundry miscellany to pack and cart over and my new big girl bed (long story) still waiting to come from pennsylvania. on thursday, i did a LOT of packing and moving by myself. and then i ran with kim. not too bad. running with kim is always good, and even though i was dog tired, it felt really good. day 1 down. yesterday, my parents came down, and we dismantled the little girl bed that my brother is taking for clara in their new house. we also packed a buttload more of stuff into their minivan, on top of the bed and mattresses, and into my car. luckily, by virtue of the bed going up to PA, we (meaning I) didn't have to haul that thing out of the van.
but, there was still some hauling. then i drive down to cpark to pick up chris, come back to baltimore and pack some more. but this time, i pick up a van from Enterprise. we pick you up, my ass... anyway, the whole point of the van was to accomodate the smaller amount of shit and pay about half as much as i would for even the littlest truck. so chris and i haul my big pieces and some other crap into the van (although he'll tell you he did most of the work--don't believe him). by the time we're heading over to my new place, we're damn hungry, so we stop at a Friday's. Big Mistake.
at this point, we don't care what we put in our mouths, and we both order burgers. me, i've been able to handle burgers lately, although i don't eat them often at all. but, this was not to be. anyway, same night, we put some of my crap in the apartment and basically hit the wall, unable to follow through on our ambition to go back and get load #2. so at midnight, i'm contemplating if i *really* want to run the dreaded dru hills--that meant i'd have to get up at 5:50AM to get ready and head over to the park. but then, i think that it's a major pride issue to say, "i've conquered the dru hills," and the shirt that the women get is always a collectors item. so i say, "i'll set my phone's alarm, and see how i feel when i wake up."
of course i couldn't sleep at ALL. that's what happens when a little baby twin air mattress just can't cut it. not that i don't appreciate it, but it's just not a real bed, and after two draining days, its best efforts couldn't do it. but i get up, and i have this obscene burst of energy and perkiness and am bouncing at the door. meanwhile chris is practically snarling at me for dragging his ass along because of car/van-pooling logistics. anyway, i get to dru hill park, i'm pumped, i run this bastard 10K very intelligently, i feel really good and am not even winded after i sprint to the finish, and chris and i go get the van and my car and head back to the apt.
it wasn't on the smooth highways that i started to feel pukey--oh no. it was on the bumps and potholes of reisterstown road. i felt Every Single One. this beautifully delicious cheeseburger from last night started to show its mr. jekyl head, and upon reaching the apartment, i had to sprint inside so as not to puke everywhere in the parking lot. ewwwwwwwww. problem: there was still heavy stuff in the van to move in. i was able to help here and there, but i spent most of my time illin' while chris was bringing the rest of the furniture in. i still feel guilty for that. but shhh. don't tell him.
so, i've been feeling like junk all afternoon and evening, but it's getting better. my guy takes really good care of me, and there are too many high points to be upset about the pukey burger, the rest of which i'm going to eat once i get back to my place.
the dru hills must have done some weird stuff to my head...
but, there was still some hauling. then i drive down to cpark to pick up chris, come back to baltimore and pack some more. but this time, i pick up a van from Enterprise. we pick you up, my ass... anyway, the whole point of the van was to accomodate the smaller amount of shit and pay about half as much as i would for even the littlest truck. so chris and i haul my big pieces and some other crap into the van (although he'll tell you he did most of the work--don't believe him). by the time we're heading over to my new place, we're damn hungry, so we stop at a Friday's. Big Mistake.
at this point, we don't care what we put in our mouths, and we both order burgers. me, i've been able to handle burgers lately, although i don't eat them often at all. but, this was not to be. anyway, same night, we put some of my crap in the apartment and basically hit the wall, unable to follow through on our ambition to go back and get load #2. so at midnight, i'm contemplating if i *really* want to run the dreaded dru hills--that meant i'd have to get up at 5:50AM to get ready and head over to the park. but then, i think that it's a major pride issue to say, "i've conquered the dru hills," and the shirt that the women get is always a collectors item. so i say, "i'll set my phone's alarm, and see how i feel when i wake up."
of course i couldn't sleep at ALL. that's what happens when a little baby twin air mattress just can't cut it. not that i don't appreciate it, but it's just not a real bed, and after two draining days, its best efforts couldn't do it. but i get up, and i have this obscene burst of energy and perkiness and am bouncing at the door. meanwhile chris is practically snarling at me for dragging his ass along because of car/van-pooling logistics. anyway, i get to dru hill park, i'm pumped, i run this bastard 10K very intelligently, i feel really good and am not even winded after i sprint to the finish, and chris and i go get the van and my car and head back to the apt.
it wasn't on the smooth highways that i started to feel pukey--oh no. it was on the bumps and potholes of reisterstown road. i felt Every Single One. this beautifully delicious cheeseburger from last night started to show its mr. jekyl head, and upon reaching the apartment, i had to sprint inside so as not to puke everywhere in the parking lot. ewwwwwwwww. problem: there was still heavy stuff in the van to move in. i was able to help here and there, but i spent most of my time illin' while chris was bringing the rest of the furniture in. i still feel guilty for that. but shhh. don't tell him.
so, i've been feeling like junk all afternoon and evening, but it's getting better. my guy takes really good care of me, and there are too many high points to be upset about the pukey burger, the rest of which i'm going to eat once i get back to my place.
the dru hills must have done some weird stuff to my head...
6.29.2006
tennis's grand waste of time
ok, so i know i'll catch hell from male readers, but i have to fully explain my distaste for miss kournikova. put on your feminist listening caps:
saying that anna made it pretty well as a teenager but had to use her looks to "make it" is actually my point. it's a disservice to all the other women on the tour--unless they're destroying the competition a la martina navritalova (sp?) in her day, the women don't get noticed unless they can be marketed as a sexpot. and i dislike kournikova because she purposely did exactly that--why should lindsey davenport or kim kjlisters (sp?) have to pose provocatively to earn the praise they deserve? oh wait, they don't--they're actually good at what they do. you don't see the gratuitous use of tennis for reasons other than competing with maria sharipova, martina hingis, or the men for that matter--andy roddick, while pretty yummy, puts it all out on the court and earns his keep *there*, not in photo shoots and pretending to be something he's not.
it's one thing to pursue a modeling career of sorts. it's another to pursue it while saying that you're a great athlete when you're truly not. she was using her initial fame in tennis as a springboard to more of a celebutante life, all the while claiming that she was a great player. so gratuitously dragging the sport along with you, just to boost your cred, pisses me off, especially when, as has been said, the other "non-lookers" have to work their butt off for any recognition. the way she conducted her path distorts what sport is about.
oh, and she's not terribly brilliant either. she's now a fitness columnist for elle (i think it's elle, anyway), and i'm sure that the editors vomit every time she submits a piece. her snippets on workouts and the healthy, sporting lifestyle are written at a middle school level and don't provide any insight into anything. her title at the magazine should be Captain Obvious.
thus ends my dissertation on my distaste for miss kournikova. next time i'll discuss something that's not so ridiculously... ridiculous.
saying that anna made it pretty well as a teenager but had to use her looks to "make it" is actually my point. it's a disservice to all the other women on the tour--unless they're destroying the competition a la martina navritalova (sp?) in her day, the women don't get noticed unless they can be marketed as a sexpot. and i dislike kournikova because she purposely did exactly that--why should lindsey davenport or kim kjlisters (sp?) have to pose provocatively to earn the praise they deserve? oh wait, they don't--they're actually good at what they do. you don't see the gratuitous use of tennis for reasons other than competing with maria sharipova, martina hingis, or the men for that matter--andy roddick, while pretty yummy, puts it all out on the court and earns his keep *there*, not in photo shoots and pretending to be something he's not.
it's one thing to pursue a modeling career of sorts. it's another to pursue it while saying that you're a great athlete when you're truly not. she was using her initial fame in tennis as a springboard to more of a celebutante life, all the while claiming that she was a great player. so gratuitously dragging the sport along with you, just to boost your cred, pisses me off, especially when, as has been said, the other "non-lookers" have to work their butt off for any recognition. the way she conducted her path distorts what sport is about.
oh, and she's not terribly brilliant either. she's now a fitness columnist for elle (i think it's elle, anyway), and i'm sure that the editors vomit every time she submits a piece. her snippets on workouts and the healthy, sporting lifestyle are written at a middle school level and don't provide any insight into anything. her title at the magazine should be Captain Obvious.
thus ends my dissertation on my distaste for miss kournikova. next time i'll discuss something that's not so ridiculously... ridiculous.
6.28.2006
favorites
today we'll talk about athletes.
soccer: whole portuguese men's team. i absolutely canNOT wait for the match vs. england. they're once again the underdog, but i hope they pull off an upset like the 2000 Euro Cup. that would be AWESOME. they definitely have it in them, especially after withstanding the ridiculous brutality of their previous game.
tennis: andy roddick. while he's had a rough patch lately and isn't quite the golden boy of tennis anymore, he still has a wicked serve and the tenacity to make it in spite of the increasing depth of the field of competition.
track & field: christina hattestadt and stacy dragila. hattestadt is a norwegian javelin thrower who once held some damn good world records. i like her a lot because she took time off to become a mom and then came roaring back in competition, despite the track world's skepticism about her ability to return to form. stacy dragila is just awesome. she was really a force in bringing women's pole vault to the fore of international competition, and the way she nursed a friendly rivalry with the few other women in the event really brought attention to the sport. plus, a record-holding pole-vaulter friend of mine met her and said that dragila is a really down-to-earth, fun person. the sports world needs more athletes like that.
miscellaneous: lance armstrong. duh. jackie joyner-kersee. the retired track star is the epitome of all-around star athlete.
ooops, gtg!
soccer: whole portuguese men's team. i absolutely canNOT wait for the match vs. england. they're once again the underdog, but i hope they pull off an upset like the 2000 Euro Cup. that would be AWESOME. they definitely have it in them, especially after withstanding the ridiculous brutality of their previous game.
tennis: andy roddick. while he's had a rough patch lately and isn't quite the golden boy of tennis anymore, he still has a wicked serve and the tenacity to make it in spite of the increasing depth of the field of competition.
track & field: christina hattestadt and stacy dragila. hattestadt is a norwegian javelin thrower who once held some damn good world records. i like her a lot because she took time off to become a mom and then came roaring back in competition, despite the track world's skepticism about her ability to return to form. stacy dragila is just awesome. she was really a force in bringing women's pole vault to the fore of international competition, and the way she nursed a friendly rivalry with the few other women in the event really brought attention to the sport. plus, a record-holding pole-vaulter friend of mine met her and said that dragila is a really down-to-earth, fun person. the sports world needs more athletes like that.
miscellaneous: lance armstrong. duh. jackie joyner-kersee. the retired track star is the epitome of all-around star athlete.
ooops, gtg!
6.26.2006
6.21.2006
6.17.2006
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand toby's totally sacked out. YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!
poor little guy is completely out on his pillow, all curled up with his new squeaky toy.
so this day has been a very good one. got back with the pacemakers today for a run through dru hill park, and hanging w/ them has made me realize how much i miss those long grueling runs. my main reason for getting out there was my detemination to do the dreaded druid hills 10K, one of the most, well, dreaded races of the year. it's basically an out & back, with the middle 4 miles pounding you into the ground, and since the pacemakers were hoofing it this morning, i figured it'd be a good idea to familiarize myself with how terrible these six/seven hills actually are.
i'm really glad that i did. it's not that the hills are impossible or that i was dying halfway through, but now i know exactly how i'm going to run the 10K--i'm going to run smart. thank goodness for cutting my teeth on hills in middle school and high school xc & track. anyway, this is definitely a race that calls for conservative running and an iron will. i'm very pleased with the run this morning, as i definitely ran very prudently. i cut short because i had a lot of stuff to do, so i ended up doing ~5.3 miles in ~55 minutes. i'm satisfied.
i'll have to blab about the World Cup! of Beer! tomorrow. i'm pooped. but mad props to the U.S. for holding off italy, especially with a man down. that equalizing goal (own-goal by the italian defender) was AWESOME!
gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so this day has been a very good one. got back with the pacemakers today for a run through dru hill park, and hanging w/ them has made me realize how much i miss those long grueling runs. my main reason for getting out there was my detemination to do the dreaded druid hills 10K, one of the most, well, dreaded races of the year. it's basically an out & back, with the middle 4 miles pounding you into the ground, and since the pacemakers were hoofing it this morning, i figured it'd be a good idea to familiarize myself with how terrible these six/seven hills actually are.
i'm really glad that i did. it's not that the hills are impossible or that i was dying halfway through, but now i know exactly how i'm going to run the 10K--i'm going to run smart. thank goodness for cutting my teeth on hills in middle school and high school xc & track. anyway, this is definitely a race that calls for conservative running and an iron will. i'm very pleased with the run this morning, as i definitely ran very prudently. i cut short because i had a lot of stuff to do, so i ended up doing ~5.3 miles in ~55 minutes. i'm satisfied.
i'll have to blab about the World Cup! of Beer! tomorrow. i'm pooped. but mad props to the U.S. for holding off italy, especially with a man down. that equalizing goal (own-goal by the italian defender) was AWESOME!
gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6.16.2006
lazy
interesting: "• Australian scientists in January said that they had identified a gene that causes bipolar disorder in about 10 percent of those with the condition."
very interesting....
anyway, tonight has been very lazy, mostly because i've been absolutely exhausted all week. so what am i going to do? wake up early tomorrow morning and do a long, hilly run with the pacemakers. :) because of that and my unintentional 7 miler yesterday, i just went easy tonight with toby. we just did our easy 2 mile loop in the park, this time at 730PM, to keep toby from overheating. it was nice.
and now it's bedtime.
:)
very interesting....
anyway, tonight has been very lazy, mostly because i've been absolutely exhausted all week. so what am i going to do? wake up early tomorrow morning and do a long, hilly run with the pacemakers. :) because of that and my unintentional 7 miler yesterday, i just went easy tonight with toby. we just did our easy 2 mile loop in the park, this time at 730PM, to keep toby from overheating. it was nice.
and now it's bedtime.
:)
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