Niki's Nonsense

Let's get technical

2011-01-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

Is it a competitive nature..... or a desire for self improvement?

random thoughts...

2010-11-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

Been training to run a marathon for the last 5 months. Caught a virus this week and the run is on Saturday. Murphy isn't kind. On a more positive note, we got our box of fresh veggies from Local Farmer's Garden today. There should be plenty of quality vitamins inside! On a side note... the baby on the side of the box... the one from the Babe Farms logo... is very creepy looking. Sort of a Damian and Chucky cross breed. Perhaps they should take a look at Gerber and learn what "cute" is. I don't mean it as an insult to their logo designer. Hell... I doubt I could hand draft a baby that well... but oye... time for a redo. If that kid has been the baby face since 1986, he's nearly 25 years old now. Time for some plastic surgery or a make-over Photoshop style. I'm just sayin'.

Short, not so sweet, and all over the map today. I have work to get back to (we're givin' a Hog away!... no no... nothing to upset PETA... this is a Harley), and something sounds like it's trying to kick its way out of my dryer...

Please let me know if you'll be in the Santa Barbara area this weekend. I'll be dragging a virus down the road for 26.2 miles in the SBI Marathon... and I might need to hitch a ride to the finish line! ; ) Hot pink running shirt, unmistakable blonde pony hangin' out the hat, thumb waggin' at the traffic...... I'll be hard to miss.

getting old...

2010-06-18T11:53:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder "If I feel this bad now... how am I going to survive being -- years old?" Recently, I pondered the fact that we exercise our bodies to keep them stronger longer, but then wondered... in doing so... have we done more harm than good? Really. Are couch potatoes living shorter but more pleasant and pain free lives? My heart and lungs may be those of a 25 year old, but dang, my joints are feelin' like they belong to my 80 something grandmother! Scratch that... my grandma has new knees... soooooo.

Three weeks ago, I was told "You might be at that age, where you may be required to do some activity modification." Alllllrighty then. I tried to explain that after 20 years of soccer, and 10 more of hockey, running IS my modified activity! :-p Knitting anyone? Underwater basket weaving? Yes yes... I understand there are sports and activities out there that still have some "hair" to them, but are much less strenuous on the body... But, I refuse to believe that I'm hitting middle age. RealAge.com tells me I'm still much younger than that, and computers are never wrong. If it's on the internet, it must be true. Right?

Are we ever too old to reach and dream? I read about a woman who finally earned her college degree at 98 years old, and passed away two days later. My bucket list isn't long... but I guess I have to face the facts that I'm on the "downhill slide". If you can help me out with any of these checklist items, I'd be happy to waste a few more of my employer's hours coming up with a new list to blog out..............

1. See New Zealand
2. Run a full marathon
3. Develop automobile resistant body armour for squirrels and opossums.

....... holla if you can help. You know where to find me.

Happiness...

2010-05-29T18:25:00.001-07:00

I'm reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. It's not that I'm an unhappy person, I just have a curiosity for what drives my joy. It seems that others around me don't always have the capacity to pick up on the simple pleasures that I do. Am I easy? Am I oblivious? Am I weird?

Do you notice the flowers growing through the cracks in the sidewalk? Do you notice the moon each night? Do you smile when you see a stranger walking their dog at 6 am? Do you hear the birds? Do you listen to music... really... hear it?

Why is it that some people just seem happier than others? Are you as happy as you can possibly be? Could you learn to be more appreciative... and if so... would it lead to a happier you?

Do you go after what makes you happy, or does happy just seem to fall upon you? Do you seek to improve yourself in ways that you think will make you happy, or in ways that you perceive to be more socially accepted?

I have a lot of questions. I don't expect that Gretchen will have all of MY answers. I hope that she found hers. I suppose it's the optimist in me... the one who wishes all people can have an appreciation for life. The kind of appreciation that comes from little things others let slip past unnoticed. Life goes by too quickly. I don't want to regret a step.

expanding the mind

2010-05-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

I bought a Kindle this winter, in an effort to expand my reading, and spend less time rotting my brain in front of the tv. Not that I wanted to quit watching television, I could never do that. It's just that since graduating from Cal Poly six years ago, I've done very little (short of the occasional crossword puzzle) to exercise my mind. The Kindle has proven very handy. It's easy to transport, syncs up with my iPhone, and a new book can be downloaded the instant I finish the previous story.

I'm the kind of person who enjoys reality. NOT reality tv... which I'm certain has absolutely no basis in reality. I appreciate a good movie, and sitcoms to make me laugh, but when it comes to reading, I tend to spend my time with biographical material.

I began my Kindle experience with a story I had run across finding humorous banter for work. The story is about a cat, Oscar, who predicts patient deaths at a senior care center in Providence. I know this doesn't sound like anything the least bit funny, but a creepy kitty messenger of death? I had to read it. The book, though not comedic, was well written and very enjoyable. "Making Rounds With Oscar" by Dr. David Dosa. Pick it up sometime.

My next venture was "Three Weeks With My Brother", the autobiography of renowned romance writer, Nicholas Sparks. The story was engaging, and though a tad depressing, made me appreciate life.

After blasting through the two life appreciation books, I thought I would try something "less heavy" for the next go 'round. "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin was my next choice. I knew after reading the first page, that this was the perfect choice for me. Gretchen had crept into my head in a mere two paragraphs. I'm only up to chapter three, which involves blogging... soooooo... the guilt sank in a bit, as well as the satisfaction I feel in completing a blog... and here I sit.

Since taking the long way around what was to be a short introduction to today's topic "The Happiness Project"........ if you feel the need to read on... I'll close out this little number, and begin again with a new post. Two posts in one day! Is that a good thing, or does it imply that I lack focus? Hmmmmmm....

"I can't"

2010-03-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I ran further than I've ever gone in my life. It was my first official 1/2 marathon... something I thought I'd never in a million years do. It was a BEAUTIFUL run through wine country in Paso Robles. The hills are amazingly green... there was water in the river... the farm houses looked like Rockwell portraits... eye candy all the way. I'll post a link to the run photos once the Wine Country folks have them up.

My sister sent me an email today, asking how it went. Initially, I was going to blog about the run itself, but her email exchange with me has pointed me a new direction. She told me that she can't imagine doing 2 miles (the asthma certainly DOESN'T help!)... let alone 13.1. I had that very same thought in my head last June when the folks from St Jude asked us if we would do a team relay marathon for St Jude Heroes. My mantra in life had always been "I hate running. I only run if someone is chasing me............ with a knife!" I mulled the relay thought over for a few days... examined my ever expanding muffin top in the mirror (being over 40 sucks)... and decided that I could spend the next five months with a personal trainer, attempting to prepare for a 7 mile leg in the team relay at the Santa Barbara International Marathon. Five months FLEW by. Coach Dan was an amazing motivator, always positive and cheerful. He made us want to make him proud. In fact... although we haven't spoken with Coach Dan since the marathon, he was one of the first people I had to e-mail to share the joy of finishing my first half. : )

My sister's email today made me think of all the things in life we may not feel capable of. We all have them. My co-workers will tell you what my response was when Coach Dan first told me to run 5 miles. I thought surely the man had lost his mind. He was showing more confidence in me than I had in me. But... 5 miles came and went... then 8 miles... then 10... then 12... and I started thinking "I can do this. I CAN run. And I like it!". Part of the motivation is self pride. You know how good it feels when you pull off something you didn't think you could do? That's what running is. You set a goal... something you may not ever see yourself achieving... and then you go after it.

I'll never forget our trip home from the Santa Barbara Internationl Marathon. Four of us were in the car. We had each taken on a 6-7 mile jaunt. There on the road in front of us, STILL walking, nearly an hour after we had completed the marathon, was a heavy set woman at about the 13 mile marker. I remember thinking "Wow. She'll be lucky to finish before they start tearing down the finish line." I also remember thinking "Wow. She's doing it. The WHOLE 26.2" I immediately flashed back to my leg of the run. I had tackled the first 7 miles. There was a man in his 60's. One with an obvious limp. I had been behind him the whole way. Here was a man old enough to be my father, and "running" as if he'd stepped out of a car donning handicap plates..... and he was kickin' my a**!!! I'm not kidding. It was all I could do to keep up. And there on his shoelaces, was the pink timer tag. The tag that signified he was running the WHOLE 26.2..... not my short 7 mile leg of the team relay. Ouch.

I'm not sure if it's the competitive grunt in me, or if it was the determination and spirit that these particular two people displayed, but I decided then and there... I could do more.

I've continued my running. I'm training for the Santa Barbara International Marathon again... and this time... I'm going to finish the WHOLE 26.2 miles. Running has become a new passion. I do it for me. I do it to prove to me that sometimes, we are capable of doing things that we don't think we can do. I proved that to myself this weekend at the Wine Country Runs half marathon in Paso Robles..... and I'll prove it to myself again on November 6th in Santa Barbara.

What CAN you do? What will you prove?

Reach out and touch someone

2010-03-01T13:06:00.001-08:00

Do you ever have one of those moments where something sparks a memory of a friend you haven't been in contact with for a coons age? You always intend to get back in touch with that person.... and yet... something always seems to get in the way. I don't recall where I first heard the phrase, "but first syndrome", but it sure does ring true! "I really need to get this laundry into the wash... but first... I'll pick up the kids clothes from the bathroom floor. Oh gads... look at this bathroom! I'll get to that laundry... but first... I have to clean this toilet!". You get the picture. Before you know it, the entire house has been swabbed down, the weekend is GONE, and you still haven't got any fresh drawers to put on Monday morning.

Don't let the same things happen with your friends! Too often, we find people passing in and out of our lives. To some degree, that is to be expected.... lives change... we get busy surrounded by new things and new people... it happens. But if you can take 5 minutes to reach out and send a text, send an email, friend them on Facebook...... it will keep your life surprisingly interesting. Even if you're only keeping touch twice a year... you just never know when that 5 minutes is going to contain something that will stop you in your tracks... make you smile... and make you wonder why it took so long to put everything else aside for a few minutes and say "Hi".

No more "but first". You know you're thinking about at least one person right now... if not 10-20 people! Yes... 10-20... I know some of you are total social butterflies... and for you... this could be an hour you need to set aside. ; ) One person a day. Five minutes that'll let them know you were thinking about them today. Shoot... making THEM smile should be enough to make you smile too.

giving things up.....

2010-02-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

A few Bishops in London are suggesting people give up iPods for Lent. They're also suggesting an entire day without technology. No cell phones. No tv. Eat by candlelight.

All I can say, is that it is a good thing I gave up giving up things just prior to my 10th birthday. Good gracious! I understand that reading a book and dinner by candlelight might seem like a wonderful change in lifestyle..... and I could MAYBE pull that off for a night... ONE night. But give up my iPhone, laptop, the dvr, or my Kindle reader? AHHHHHH! Time would stand still. In fact... it might start going backward!

Technology is an addiction. I admit it. I'm hooked. What I don't understand is the idea that we need to "punish" ourselves for any given change in the calendar. If you have a need to appreciate something by denying yourself access to it....... I will gladly unsaddle you from all of your personal electronics and chocolate. Drop any of your evil devices (or just "vices") by the radio station. If I don't grow too attached to your cool gadgets, you might even get them back........

what moves you...

2010-01-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

Six years ago, I tripped over a path that has changed the way I listen to music. Sometimes we float through life enjoying the tunes we listen to on the radio, cds, ipods, etc.... without ever really HEARING the music. If you've never taken the time to stop and listen with undivided attention, you should do so... immediately. Block yourself into a quite room and hear the music... feel it... absorb the lyrics and the melody. Soak in the work that has been presented to you....... and then track the path it has taken.

Some of your favorite artists are both singers and songwriters. Some of your favorites may leave the writing to others, while lending their vocal talent to give a song wings. When a song grabs you, look it up. Find out who sings it. Find out who wrote it. If you're anything like me, it will open an entire new level of appreciation for you. Incredible vocal talent can breath life into a song, but hearing the raw emotion and intent put into it by a writer, will open your guts up.

The internet contains a vast world of music that will go generally unheard. Spend five minutes on MySpace and you'll see what I mean! When you discover a great song, get the songwriter's information. Dig. Dig. And dig some more if necessary. That writer probably has other songs out there for you to sample. Some that will go without ever making it onto an album. Some that will go without ever being granted one spin on the radio. Why wait for what someone else deems worthy to listen to? A lot of great music is out there waiting to be heard. Find what moves you. Find WHO moves you.

People are crazy.....

2010-01-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

The past two nights have been difficult for me. Not sure why... but I can't seem to sleep. I fear I'm becoming my mother. A worrier. The terrible thing is that I'm NOT a dramatic person. I'm NOT a worrier! How is it that the changes coming along with being over 40 are changing me in ways I can't control? It's like a permanent case of pms (sorry for the "ick" factor there fellas... but the ladies know what I'm talking about)! I know it's crazy. I know I'm lying awake concerned over things of which I have no control... but I can't help it.

Just when I convince myself that this thinking is irrational, and that I am overly concerned about nothing....... I find someone who makes me feel completely, totally, clinically, SANE by comparison............

Arthur Firstenberg is sueing his neighbor for $530,ooo for refusing to turn off her iPhone, claiming that the electromagnetic fields generated are destroying his health.

READY TO RUN!!!

2009-12-02T15:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday ended in a way that made me feel "warm and fuzzy"..... definitely the kind of day to put one in the holiday spirit. I'll blog about that tomorrow though. :-p Yes... I know this is a tease... but I have limited time today, and would like to post something more immediate in its nature.

The SBI Marathon is THIS WEEKEND! On Sunday, I will be waking up even earlier than usual, and heading to Santa Barbara to run a team relay event. Our team "More Cowbell" is running to bring awareness to St Jude Children's Research Hospital and their St Jude Heroes program. Our team is a rag tag bunch, but we've got big hearts and stubborn minds.... the perfect match for this particular event and it's required training. : )

Please read the article linked below. It'll motivate you off the couch for sure! And while I have your attention... I need to point out that Cherri and the gang from El Diablo Power Plant are some of the most amazing friends/listeners that we at Sunny Country could ever hope to have. Y'all are incredible people, and we're lucky to have you sharing the planet with us.

Ok... go here... read this:

http://www.independent.com/news/2009/dec/01/sb-international-marathon/

Are we there yet?

2009-11-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

Can we really be this close to the holidays already? I'm ready for the eating... but not ready for the competitive elbow throwing shoppers madness. Do you think it'll be insane this year? It seems like with the economy continuing to smack everyone in the wallet so hard, we'll have more people shopping online to grab the deeper discounts.

Are you an online shopper or a "get out and see what's available" kind? I love the ease of picking things up online, and having them shipped directly........ but I'm finding it has killed my holiday spirit. In fact, I might have to shake the smelly carcass out this year, and actually get in the car and go to a store. It's the only way to see the displays... experience the sights and sounds of holiday shoppers... and have the opportunity to gift wrap the presents personally. Ooooh... plus the added bonus of standing in that extra loooooooong line at the post office on the night before they really should have been shipped to actually make it there in time for Christmas. Yeah. Sharing that understanding glance with the rest of the procrastinators around you........... It's all part of the experience that, believe it or not, I think I've been missing. Grinch. My fingers were a bit green last year, and I swear I saw Auggie drag through the living room sporting an "antler branch" on his teeny little cranium. Not this year. It's not too late!!!

Really though. My focus has been on running... I should be in shape for all of the pushing and shoving and long lines... right?

................. Right?

plugging right along....

2009-10-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get so busy in your life that weeks go by before you realize how much time you've lost? I constantly find myself wishing for the weekend to get here...... and then as it blows through, I wonder why I'm wishing my life away. Maybe it's the rapidly approaching birthday.... maybe it's the clear head from running (or the lack of oxygen to the brain?)...... but I've been super "reflective". Life should be enjoyed for what it is. There is no destination, so enjoy the trip. That said.... I take back the vile words I had this morning for the fella who cut me off on the way into work. :-p

Next time you feel your blood boiling, ask yourself, "Is this really worth MY stress?" You can't control other people or their behavior... only your reactions to it. I might need to tattoo that on the inside of my pupils. Can they do that?

time moves on...

2009-09-13T15:50:00.001-07:00

My brain is filled with a lot of nothing. Every now and again I think it just shuts down for safety. The antibiotics are finished. The sinus infection is gone. I ran 8 miles yesterday, then ate enough sushi to choke a blue whale. It's really been a rather uneventful week. The Augginator seems to be on the mend. He still has oddball skin lesions, but his energy level and appetite have returned to normal. My car is clean, my shower is sparkling (note to self: sandpaper or torch for future cleanings), and I'm watching a depressing movie by the name of "American Gun"... which has far too much reality, but is well filmed, and well acted... soooo... I continue to watch. Sort of.

Eleven weeks to the Select Staffing Santa Barbara International Marathon. We're doing the team relay portion, so the longest leg of the race is only 7.6 miles. I'm ready to roll! I never would have imagined myself a runner. I should send a personal thank you note to our St. Jude reps for bringing St. Jude Heroes to my attention..... and for bringing Dan's exercise expertise to my muscles! I'm here... and I'm hooked! Anyone up for a half marathon in March? You've got plenty of time to prepare, and I'm going to need someone to pig out with at the finish line! I promise you'll be proud of you.

Nilla induced dreams.... whoa...

2009-09-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

Two nights ago I had the most bizarre dreams. I have to wonder if it was brought on by the Amoxicillin, or the Nilla Wafers I had just before bed. My brain has always been prone to odd twists, but they usually occur when I'm awake... and typically as a Niki-ism response to some outside input. Most of my dreams make sense... like everyday slices of time. Thursday night has me curious as to what the dream interpreters would make of me..... moooooo ha ha ha ha ha!

It started out semi-normal........ I found myself suddenly in the midst of a soccer game. I haven't played soccer in roughly 15 years, but being on the field still seemed to be a natural fit. What didn't fit, was that the ball was a can. A beer can. Bud Light. Why I recall this kind of detail is beyond me... but I do. I also dream in full color. Whomever it is that says humans dream only in black and white, isn't paying close enough attention. Sooooo... I'm kicking this beer can.... well... TRYING like hell to kick it. Do you ever have those dreams where you simply can't do something physical? Can't move a glass. Can't open a door. You just have no strength or control. That was the position I found myself in. SO frustrating. All my power into this kick... and... dink... the can moves about 11 inches. ARGH! To complicate things further, the scoring end of the field has large sand sculptures on it. Why? I dunno. Ask the Nilla Wafers. Apparently, they were there from a design competition the night before. Our game simply wasn't important enough to warrant clearing the field.

Anyway....... I made my way around the sand monuments (which were quite intricate!) with my Bud Light can... 4 inches at a step.... and got ready to take a shot on goal...... when I hear laughing behind me. I turn around to find that Chad and Andy (two folks I formerly worked with) were sitting in the bleachers, having a jolly time making fun of me. I turned back around, ignoring the two giddy bastards, to find that I was now in a gymnasium. What? Where did my goal go? Where's that darned Bud Light can? CRAP!

I'm not sure how I came to the conclusion that in order to score at this point in the dream, I was going to have to shoot a basketball into a hoop hanging directly over Chad and Andy. No problem.... except that, those darned Nilla Wafers placed some fat ducting in the gym ceiling, making the ball too thick to fit below the duct work, and above the rim of the hoop. Why? Professional complainer that I am.... I explained to Chad and Andy that this was an impossible task, and they would have to come up with a new way to earn points in this game.

It was at that moment, that Andy produced a skull shaped Halloween candy bucket from out of thin air. He somehow secured this bucket to his head, and tossed me a volleyball. The goal now was to shoot the volleyball into the bucket on top of Andy's head. Once I accomplished that task, I was allowed to go home. Excuse me? I'm now being held against my will in this gym? Yep. Those darned Nillas had me trapped!

I fired off about three shots.... missing every time... but coming close to pelting Andy in the nose... which was entertaining Chad to no end. Andy... being upset that Chad was now laughing at HIM, rather than me... decided to help "catch" the ball, by maneuvering his head under my shots. I finally managed to bounce one off the rim of the bucket, before Dierks Bentley commenced to starting his concert in the gym behind me. What? Really? Now Dierks is going to put on a show? Oh wait............ it's Blair Garner, "That's Dierks Bentley, getting a little Sideways on after midnite"........ and POOF.... I was awake.

relax day! wahoooooo : )

2009-08-30T09:17:00.001-07:00

It appears we're going back to some normal central coast temps today. Whew! I'm not a heat kind of person. I'd rather it be a tad on the chilly side, and I can toss on a jacket or sweatshirt... comfy clothes... comfy foods... yeah...

Went for a run this morning with team "More Cowbell!" Pismo Beach is beautiful before it fills with tourists. ;-p Ocean air and a cool breeze... the waves crashing... gads... far too much fun to be exercise! Now it's coffee and the Mac! I might even uncover the hammock swing. Gettin' crazy!

Poodle update for those who knows my Augginator (or are just critter lovers in general). Blood tests for Addisons/Cushings came back negative. Good news! He is low on B-12 absorption. The cause? We don't know. That is step two. He seems to be doing worlds better... but we've been down this road before... soooooo... I'm holding on and holding out with hope. If the barfing starts up again... and the skin doesn't clear up... we'll be hauling back down to Santa Barbara for the poor little dude to be "scoped". Anyone who has ever experienced a colon scan will know what I'm sayin'. Yeeks. He's so teeny, it's going to have to be a fiber optic cable! OUCH! I'll be buying him an ice cream cone on the way home from THAT appointment for sure!

Seen any good movies lately? I was thinking of putting "The Ice Harvest" in. Might just settle down with my book and finally FINISH the goll derned thing! Seems a shame to hang inside on such a gorgeous day though.

One final note..... the mucus. Yes, it just wouldn't be right for me to leave you all hanging regarding "the mucus". It has been top of mind for nearly three weeks now. Yesterday I finally broke down and saw a doctor. The pain in my face got crazy harsh. Not that I've ever been punched in the face... but I imagine the ache I had yesterday was a good imitation of a popped in the chops kind of ouch. Anyway... long blog long enough... I'm on amoxicillin. First pill kicked in within about 45 minutes, and I've been without pain. Yeah! Still on the decongestants, and hoping to clear this crud out once and for all by the end of the week. I blame the ash from the La Brea fire. Darned drug lords. They owe me a co-pay and $10 for a bottle of pills. Think I can get pain and suffering? Just a thought....

dogs and jogs... get off the couch!

2009-08-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

I've transcended to the level of "Paris Hilton" this afternoon. I made a phone call to a specialist vet in Santa Barbara to make an appointment for my teacup poodle. Does that not have an amazingly snooty ring to it? Whaaaat? Really though.... this dog has been sick for entirely too long. I'm looking forward to carting him down there for a long sit down chat about his history and how we have reached this point of confusion. If this doc can get him to quit herffin' on every third day, it'll be an amazing thing (and worth every penny). The big question now becomes....... What outfit do I put him in for the visit? Basic grey sweatsuit, or spunky red hoodie? Perhaps his basic black security shirt?

That covers the "dogs" portion of the blog... now for the "jogs" portion............... I've been running, despite the impacted sinus cavity. I'm thinking the mucus should not be this yellow, and I may... just maybe... have to visit the doctor for some powerful decongestants. Wait... how did we get on the snot track? We're supposed to be discussing the RUNNING. : ) Ok... the running... THAT has been a good time. Things have slowed down since I picked up this virus, but I'm still plugging along, and still amazed when my body really carries me through a 5 mile jog! Did I just do that? Helllllls yes I did!

I've never been a "runner"... always needed that little spotted ball to chase and distract. Running was just a necessary evil during the fun of soccer. The strange thing is... now I enjoy the mental ease brought on by having NOTHING to think about while I run. The hardest part is putting one foot in front of the other. Once you have that down... you're good to go. Speed is determined by your lungs. Can't breath? Slow down. Legs getting wobbly? Don't go that far until you're ready. I think the problem most people have encountered with jogging, is that they're trying to go too fast. Oxygen deprivation sucks wee y'all. Nothing is fun if you can't breath. But if you SLOW DOWN (coach Dan is never going to believe that I, of all people, would be preaching to slow down... because he's always telling me I need to be reigned in... moo ha ha ha ha!)... but if you slow down... you might actually find that you like it. And you know your body is going to love it!

Motivated yet? : ) Git yer shoes... we're goin' out!

uh... whatnot...

2009-08-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

The sinus cavity is still packed... though no longer to the point of complete misery. I did, very briefly, consider the purchase of a neti pot. But really. Eww. I've seen very disturbing video footage.

Icky mucus aside, I've jumped back onto the run training track! WAHOO! For a few short days there, I feared I may suffer a full blown anxiety attack! I'm not back up to the five mile jaunts yet... but did put in a few three milers... and tonight the rest of the crew and I will be running a 5k in Goleta! Duuuuude. Should be a good time! Cool ocean air... nice scenery... good friends... and some exercise to boot. Sweeeeeeeeet.

Speaking of exercise.... Stacey G and I dropped by the gym for a marathon training workout yesterday. Naturally, our first stop was the ladies locker room. Much to our dismay, we caught a 60 something (maybe a 70 something) butt shot within seconds of entering the zone. Eah gads gals. We've all had to change in and out of gym clothes as school kids... but really... it's not as though we had wandered into Pirates Cove. I don't need to see your business all exposed and out there (no matter what your age!). G and I managed to remain composed, although we both later confessed to a silent Snoopy laugh. Yeah... we're immature... it's what makes us "interesting people". ;-p Thank goodness it was a rear view. I may just have died on the scene had we caught an eye full of... well... you know. Trust me... cataracts and loss of vision may just be a blessing as we age. I'm just sayin'. Silver lining y'all. The locker room has changing rooms with curtains. Let's say we all use them. Ok?

And on an entirely different note......... Did anyone else see the ebay ad for rat hair as an aphrodisiac? Six quality rats were cleaned and shaved. Oh joy. But hey... before you scoff... the ad included some recommended uses, just in case you didn't have your own reasons for spending your hard earned cash on Ben's pelt.

What will tomorrow bring?

ehh...

2009-08-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Slacked off on the blogging thing for a week now. Try not to be alarmed, but I have very little to say lately. Must be the head cold. How is it that such a teeeeeeeny little thing like a virus can do so much damage to the human body? And is it really necessary that my nose produce this much mucus? If I drink a glass of wine, will it dehydrate me and make things worse, or will the virus catch a buzz and have a weakened system that my white blood cells can more easily attack?

Common cold advice........ dish it at me.... I want this one GONE... and soon... or I fear I may go insane. I need to run again. Is it possible I'm addicted?

rambles on running....

2009-08-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

For anyone who doesn't know it yet... I've thrown myself into training for a team relay marathon. Kelly (our lovely St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital rep) thought this would be fun for we radio types. I'm not sure... but I'm thinking she might just be trying to kill us all. Perhaps some revenge for yelling at her during radio-thon? DJ's are notoriously OUT OF SHAPE. Hell... we're paid to sit and talk! We're also not known for being exceptionally bright, which could explain why we were so quick to say "SURE! Sounds like a good time!" ... and then stepped out of the room moments later thinking "whaaaaat did we just do?".

ANYWAY.... we're in it... and obsessive personality that I am... I tend to have thrown myself in full force. Me? Noooo. Well... yes. Maybe. It's possible I talk more about running now than new moms talk about their little tykes. Is that bad?

Mark (the bossman), Stacey (my lil Ms G!), and I (the obsessive one) have been training with Dan... who is gently kicking our asses. I don't believe anyone from the team has found traces of blood in their urine yet, so I guess he won't be letting up anytime soon.

The marathon is in December. Santa Barbara International Marathon. Yeah... running in Santa B... it's gonna rock! Spectators are welcome... so if you're within a reasonable distance... come on out and scream for team "More Cowbell"! We'll be the folks dragging our tongues down the sidewalk at the back of the pack. ; )

so I'm blogging....

2009-08-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

Well.... I've finally taken the dip. Partially for "work"...... but mostly, because I've had a tremendous number of folks tell me I should be blogging. As if what I have to say would be of some finer interest to the world. Buuuuuut... if you're bored enough to follow along... I'm definitely not a shy gal. Jump on... take heed of the potential overshare content warning... and here we go................