Thursday, August 28, 2008

With hands clasped and eyes raised to the sky

Coming home tonight after some retail therapy I happened upon NPR's coverage of Obama's acceptance speech. I almost switched to a CD but found the voice and the ideas melting away the ice around my political heart. Pretty soon I was sitting in the garage, engine turned off, because I wanted to hear every word he had to say.

A part of me couldn't believe what was happening -- I'd become jaded, and emotionally "unhooked" from politics and politicians -- but I decided to just go with it. After a while, I made a run for the house and the TV hoping that Carter and/or ONO would be watching it, or that TiVo was catching it. None of that happened but it was all good. The TV broadcast was a few minutes behind the radio.

By the end of the speech I was in tears. I know. Crazy. Those are usually saved for intense spiritual experiences and poop on the floor), but maybe that's why Rush Limbaugh and others are (disdainfully) calling Obama "the messiah."

Of course I don't think of him as the messiah, but I do think I experienced a redemption of sorts -- back, whole-heartedly into the emotional part of the political process.

Even after learning first-hand how incredibly complicated, slow and diluting the political process can be, I find myself half-believing, half-hoping that he'll actually be able to accomplish what he delineated in the speech. I'm mentally pleading with the Power(s) that be -- please, please, PLEASE, let him win! PLEASE let it be different this time! PLEASE let me be proud of my country again!!



But even if the Power(s) ignore me, this speech re-opened the place in my psyche for political hope.

Keep Hope Alive. Because without hope, the people perish.

Monday, August 25, 2008

And....she's off!

Again.

This time 1076 miles north-east to Boston University.



She'll start with a week of orientation and then officially begin classes on September 2.


Interesting mascot.


Not being a dog person I suppose terriers can be vicious.


This is where she'll be living:




Yes, in one of those AMAZING brownstones. (I'm slightly jealous.) She got into the "Spanish House" because of her fluency in Spanish. She thinks she may be able to stay there all 4 years.

I really hope this is wonderful experience for her.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

A slightly smaller footprint

Check out my new energy saving device:





It also doubles as an energy expending device......all for about 40 bucks.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Sooooooo close

Yesterday I planned to do a long run. It had been a hell of a few days and the alcohol just wasn't cutting it as a stress reliever! I woke up in a funk (haven't been sleeping well lately) and just decided to run as long as it felt ok, even if that was only 2 or 3 miles. I just didn't care that much what happened, I just knew I needed to get out there and burn off the cortisol deposits that had been left in my cells.

Turns out I had one of my best runs EVER! I ran through campus, then by my office for a quick potty and water break. Besides that stop and one to manage a mini-crisis for Bethany, I ran the rest of the way.

When I mapped my run, I had gone 9.85 miles. 9.85

I was happy that I'd gone so far, and disappointed that I was THAT close to 10! And it wasn't like I couldn't have pulled out another one and a half tenths! I could have easily.

Geek Girl Misty was right. It definitely gets easier!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Let's play a game

Here are a bunch of pictures. After looking at them all, complete the following phrase:

America: Land of the Free, Home of the _______________.










Yes, all of these pictures were taken in the U. S. of A.

Come on lurkers.....you know you want to play!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Problem Solving

Brennan to his dad: "Can I have a cookie?"

Dad: "Sure. You can have one cookie."

Brennan: "Can I have two cookies?"

Dad" "No. You can have one cookie."

Brennan: "But I have two hands!"

My apologies

It's come to my attention that there has been an unusual focus on bathroom humor/functions in my latest postings.

Please keep in mind that I live with 4 males.

Sorry.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

A blase event that I ran well (title by ONO)

Even though I said I wouldn't, I ran another small town festival race this morning. I did it only because my friend Tara asked me to after she ran the Fisher Fair 5K with me last month.

It was a pretty good time. The race could have been organized a bit better but overall it was a good experience. We decided to run with each other through the race and both got PRs. It's both encouraging and challenging to have a friend by your side. She's still faster than me but it's ok. I have almost 20 years on her.

The only thing that marred my experience was a visit to the porta-potty. Ugh, I hate those things! I didn't get up early enough to complete my typical morning routine. Tara had this FABULOUS idea that there should be "Pee-only" porta-potties, and that if anyone did anything else, an alarm and flashing lights would go off. I think she's got a lucrative idea there! If that doesn't take off, maybe this will:




Here's the link in case you want to buy one.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Second try

Of course I'd pick one of the hottest days of the year to try 10 miles again. There was a heat advisory announced shortly after I left for the run.

I had high hopes for today. All of the factors that I thought contributed to the last 10 mile bust were carefully considered and changed:

Thicker, moisture wicking socks
More food
More water
More shade
Less asphalt

What I didn't have control over was the humidity.

I walked a LOT on this "run." I didn't even care. I almost asked a cop for a ride back to my car, but decided to at least walk. It took 2 hours and 30 minutes to do the 10 miles, and when I got back to the car my feet felt like hamburger and my body like it had been hit by a Mack truck.

It was VERY discouraging. My consolation was reminding myself that I'd exercised for 2 1/2 hours and a pile of Cheetos.

I love Cheetos.

I'll try again. I mean, that's what I'm all about. But it won't be until after Labor Day. For now, I'm looking forward to running another 5K with Tara this Saturday.