'This isn't an election, it's an intervention.'
I read that the other day - I think it is a quote from Andrew Sullivan. It is very difficult to be reasonable about all this and not just want to go in and vote for anyone who isn't an incumbent. 'You've been in? Well, now you are out. Don't recognize your name? Flip that lever!'
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
What I learned this week
There are a lot of people that like Buck Cherry's 'Crazy Bitch' but no one is proud of it :-)
New shoes
For me, new running shoes rate as one of life's greatest pleasures. Nothing beats getting a new pair - the way they smell, the way they feel, the way they look, the possibilities they offer, gonna run faster, gonna run longer. I buy probably 4 pairs a year and it never gets old, never gets blase. I *always* feel that purchasing new shoes is an event. I am a neutral runner, but a plodder (damn that 20 lbs I really, really want to lose!) so I run in Adidas Super Nova and have for years. They have discontinued my style in my width and I try not to hyperventilate or panic thinking about it. I don't know what I am going to do. 
So the story is......I bought new shoes at the beginning of the summer. Bridget also around the same time bought elastic laces for her cycle shoes that lace and her running shoes - all in preparation for her first (and last? I don't know - I hope not!) triathlon. I kept my face straight when she said she was going to use the speed laces on her cycle shoes and sure enough, she figured out pretty quickly that wasn't going to work. She gave me that pair and I put them in my running shoes. My new running shoes, or so I thought.
When I replace my shoes, I always keep the old pair around because there is still a lot of non-impact life in them. Unfortunately, I am not a sneaker wearer so you won't see me wearing my old shoes much.
You see where this is going. I put the laces in my old shoes, put the new shoes up on a shelf in the closet and I have been running in my old shoes all summer. I just figured this out last week.
So the story is......I bought new shoes at the beginning of the summer. Bridget also around the same time bought elastic laces for her cycle shoes that lace and her running shoes - all in preparation for her first (and last? I don't know - I hope not!) triathlon. I kept my face straight when she said she was going to use the speed laces on her cycle shoes and sure enough, she figured out pretty quickly that wasn't going to work. She gave me that pair and I put them in my running shoes. My new running shoes, or so I thought.
When I replace my shoes, I always keep the old pair around because there is still a lot of non-impact life in them. Unfortunately, I am not a sneaker wearer so you won't see me wearing my old shoes much.
You see where this is going. I put the laces in my old shoes, put the new shoes up on a shelf in the closet and I have been running in my old shoes all summer. I just figured this out last week.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
A Run, A Car and A Walk
Saturday started off with the last of the Y Running Class. The group was scheduled to run 30 minutes - with NO WALKING TIME. This is always a big mental leap for these beginner runners to make. I had a small group - as usual. I can usually keep more of the summer class which goes over 12 weeks - there is less of a drop out rate. The fall class, though, over only 8 weeks is so much harder and people drop out at a much higher rate. So they had to run 30 minutes. And they did it. It wasn't easy, I hung in the back of the pack, talking, trying to get their minds distracted and the front runners kept circling back to pick us up. Hey, we practice a 'leave no runner behind' policy in my classes. My theory (as a slow runner) is if you can run faster, you can run longer and come back and run us in :-) No one has ever had a problem with this and it seems to really make the group cohesive, self-motivated and bonded. Anyways, the running classes are done until next spring. We are now just going to try to run on our own Saturday mornings at the park. Most are signed up to run the Jingle Bell Run in two weeks time and are calling their team The Other Greyhounds! You can even sponsor them if you like. They are all getting Greyhound Walking Club of Central New York t-shirts to run in from Bridge, Jen and I.
After the run, Jen came into town, and we all (meaning J and Bridge and me) took off to test drive the Scion XB. It is pretty much the only car that met all of Jen's requirements - fit the dogs, economical gas mileage, not an SUV, not used, etc. I think she liked it because she bought it! Woohoo! The car drama might just be over. It is black, very urban and cool looking.
So, I am very excited for Jen. Her very first brand new car!
My parents and sister came over that evening. My sister is normal but my parents get stranger every time I see them. My dad is 73 and my mom will be 70 this spring. She made and brought over Texas Dump Stewp. No I mean Texas Dump Souw. It was Texas Dump Stew but she could never say it right :-) My mom used to be a great meat and potatoes, grease frying, southern cook. I mean, when I was a kid, we ate good but ate like crap if you know what I mean :-) Then my dad got sick and she had to completely change her cooking style. And I think she also got tired of cooking. I am a believer that most women have X amount of dinners in them. When they reach that number - they are done. I am almost there, especially in terms of big family dinners. Just don't want to cook or go through the hassle. So I can definitely understand where my mom is coming from when she says she is tired of cooking, especially when her cooking during my childhood, was so different and more labor intensive from what I do now. I cook in my kitchen with ingredients that are fairly easy to find in any store nowadays. When I was a kid, my mom's cooking consisted of gardening, preparing, canning and freezing, etc. all before even getting to any cooking part. I don't begrudge my mom not wanting to cook but honestly, that Texas Dump Stew she brought over was not good and there were no biscuits, cornbread because my dad can't eat them.....
Sunday was the monthly GWC walk. Weather cooperated, lots of people showed up, hounds and people comported themselves admirably. It was a very nice time :-)
After the run, Jen came into town, and we all (meaning J and Bridge and me) took off to test drive the Scion XB. It is pretty much the only car that met all of Jen's requirements - fit the dogs, economical gas mileage, not an SUV, not used, etc. I think she liked it because she bought it! Woohoo! The car drama might just be over. It is black, very urban and cool looking.
So, I am very excited for Jen. Her very first brand new car!My parents and sister came over that evening. My sister is normal but my parents get stranger every time I see them. My dad is 73 and my mom will be 70 this spring. She made and brought over Texas Dump Stewp. No I mean Texas Dump Souw. It was Texas Dump Stew but she could never say it right :-) My mom used to be a great meat and potatoes, grease frying, southern cook. I mean, when I was a kid, we ate good but ate like crap if you know what I mean :-) Then my dad got sick and she had to completely change her cooking style. And I think she also got tired of cooking. I am a believer that most women have X amount of dinners in them. When they reach that number - they are done. I am almost there, especially in terms of big family dinners. Just don't want to cook or go through the hassle. So I can definitely understand where my mom is coming from when she says she is tired of cooking, especially when her cooking during my childhood, was so different and more labor intensive from what I do now. I cook in my kitchen with ingredients that are fairly easy to find in any store nowadays. When I was a kid, my mom's cooking consisted of gardening, preparing, canning and freezing, etc. all before even getting to any cooking part. I don't begrudge my mom not wanting to cook but honestly, that Texas Dump Stew she brought over was not good and there were no biscuits, cornbread because my dad can't eat them.....
Sunday was the monthly GWC walk. Weather cooperated, lots of people showed up, hounds and people comported themselves admirably. It was a very nice time :-)
Friday, November 03, 2006
Thursday, November 02, 2006
How much longer until November 7?
My homepage is CNN. For the past few days, every time I clicked on it, I was updated on the current news relating to the scandal. Oh, c'mon....you know the scandal. Not the war, not 103 Americans dead in the month of October, not the deficit, not the economy, not the ever present corporate malfeasance. John Kerry's insult and disregard of our fighting forces....his botched joke. This morning the headline reads
White House: Kerry apology right but late
Okay. Enough all ready. It was a joke that was screwed up. As a challenged joke teller, I can sympathize. You should also be able to sympathize, George. Remember:
'Mission Accomplished'
'Bring 'em on!'
'I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees'
'And Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job'
'Just so long as I'm the dictator'
'Those weapons of mass destruction gotta be around here somewhere' 'Major combat operations in Iraq have ended'
Freaking John Kerry mangling a joke isn't an issue. Even if he really meant what he said, it isn't an issue. What is an issue is an illegal war, based on lies, that is killing and maiming countless Iraqis and Americans and that has made a mockery of the principles our country is based upon. Who would have ever thought that the United States could go into a country ruled by someone like Saddam Hussein and make his rule look positively utopian by comparison?
To quote a friend, 'Go sell crazy somewhere else' Republicans. We aren't buying what you are selling. I can't wait for 11/7.
White House: Kerry apology right but late
Okay. Enough all ready. It was a joke that was screwed up. As a challenged joke teller, I can sympathize. You should also be able to sympathize, George. Remember:
'Mission Accomplished'
'Bring 'em on!'
'I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees'
'And Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job'
'Just so long as I'm the dictator'
'Those weapons of mass destruction gotta be around here somewhere' 'Major combat operations in Iraq have ended'
Freaking John Kerry mangling a joke isn't an issue. Even if he really meant what he said, it isn't an issue. What is an issue is an illegal war, based on lies, that is killing and maiming countless Iraqis and Americans and that has made a mockery of the principles our country is based upon. Who would have ever thought that the United States could go into a country ruled by someone like Saddam Hussein and make his rule look positively utopian by comparison?
To quote a friend, 'Go sell crazy somewhere else' Republicans. We aren't buying what you are selling. I can't wait for 11/7.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Dangerous times and a new playlist
One of the hazards of reading/talking to people about their runs is sometimes they make things that you know are ridiculous sound reasonable. For instance, All My Tomorrows ran a half marathon last weekend. She had a great race, it sounded like fun and most dangerously of all.......it sounded 'do-able'.
The last time I fell victim to this syndrome, I found myself out in an open water, mass start swim for a triathlon, practically peeing in my wetsuit. I know better! I must resist! My Y co-worker Kelle is another dangerous person to talk to. She makes it all seem reasonable and fun.
Anyways, it really is a losing battle. As I showered this morning, I was mulling over a return to the Green Lakes Tri because this past year was really not a good race for me. I walked up the big hill because my cleat came loose. I have never walked up that hill. That did not make me happy and I know I can have a better race next year. Ah, the insanity.
I have been feeling very good about running lately, and that makes me nervous. This morning was an easy 2.2 mile run with Cos. We did it in 24.50 - a little bit over an 11 m/m pace. Yeah, not setting the world on fire here folks! But in my defense, we did have to stop for a poop break. We always have to stop for a poop break, without fail. I passed the next few minutes pondering the thought that maybe my race time would be a few seconds a mile faster. After all, it has to slow me down carrying that poop, right?
A new run playlist helped. I consider music to be the opiate of the running masses (with apologies to Lenin). Yeah, I know there are those who like to be alone with their thoughts and like to be 'present in the moment' when they run. Not me. I want music. Lots of it. Fast and hard. To keep my mind off what I am doing. I consider my iPod to be a gift from the gods (and the husband) and THE major advancement of the human race in the 21st century.
My main requirement for running music is it has to be fast and I have to be able to sing along with it (not that I ever can actually sing aloud while I am running but I sing along in my mind!)
My new playlist:
Volunteers - Jefferson Airplane
Are you Gonna Be My Girl - Jet - This song sets a nice little groove that makes it easy to settle in for a run.
Hung Up - Madonna - Love it, love it, love it.
Bring Me To Life - Evanescence - scarfed from a cycle cd someone loaned me. I just like the song.
The Jungle - Guns N Roses - Axel Rose.....my guilty pleasure, I even love him in a kilt.
Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms - pure pop. I love this song.
Whiskey in the Jar - Metallica - always nice to contemplate crime and murder on a run......
Sandstorm - Da Rude - this is a fav in cycle classes for nice rhythmic sprints. It is always great for a 'pick up the pace'. Of course, if it plays during a stretch when the 'tank is empty' and you just don't have any more to give, you might just feel suicidal.
The Reason - Sum 41 - This is one of my all-time fav bands to run to. Just love, love, love to run to them.
Hell Song - Sum 41
Crazy Bitch - Buckcherry - Yeah, I know. I will win no prize with this song. It is nasty and misogynist. I would never play it with my mother in the house. I will deny to my mother to my last day on earth that I ever even heard this song, much less ran and sang along to it. I mean, c'mon! The lyrics:
Hey you're crazy bitch
but you fuck so good
I’m on top of it
When I dream I’m doing you all night
scratches all down my back
to keep me right on
But you know what? It's only rock 'n' roll, folks. It is supposed to hard, nasty and fun. And this song is hard, nasty and fun. And I like running to it. No apologies.
Julie Ann - Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - I harbor a deep and abiding love for 'old school', high-lonesome bluegrass. This particular version of the song I run to is kick ass live. Like bluegrass or not, listening to this, you would have to agree they are stellar, world class muscians without peers.
Lit Up - Buck Cherry - What can I say? Brash, energetic, raucous, visceral. I can usually gasp out, 'Are you fucking high?' at the appropriate time even while running.
Cold Hard Bitch - Jet - pure derivitive rock 'n' roll. Still great to run and sing along to.
I'll Melt With You - Modern English - Lots of fun. Great to run to.
Ride the Chariot to the Devil - Sum 41 - Only a minute long, I use this to try to pick up my pace.
New York, New York - Ryan Adams - This song makes me think of my daughter who is living and going to school in NYC. I end my runs thinking of her.
So that is what I am running to lately. I am open to suggestions :-)
The last time I fell victim to this syndrome, I found myself out in an open water, mass start swim for a triathlon, practically peeing in my wetsuit. I know better! I must resist! My Y co-worker Kelle is another dangerous person to talk to. She makes it all seem reasonable and fun.
Anyways, it really is a losing battle. As I showered this morning, I was mulling over a return to the Green Lakes Tri because this past year was really not a good race for me. I walked up the big hill because my cleat came loose. I have never walked up that hill. That did not make me happy and I know I can have a better race next year. Ah, the insanity.
I have been feeling very good about running lately, and that makes me nervous. This morning was an easy 2.2 mile run with Cos. We did it in 24.50 - a little bit over an 11 m/m pace. Yeah, not setting the world on fire here folks! But in my defense, we did have to stop for a poop break. We always have to stop for a poop break, without fail. I passed the next few minutes pondering the thought that maybe my race time would be a few seconds a mile faster. After all, it has to slow me down carrying that poop, right?
A new run playlist helped. I consider music to be the opiate of the running masses (with apologies to Lenin). Yeah, I know there are those who like to be alone with their thoughts and like to be 'present in the moment' when they run. Not me. I want music. Lots of it. Fast and hard. To keep my mind off what I am doing. I consider my iPod to be a gift from the gods (and the husband) and THE major advancement of the human race in the 21st century.
My main requirement for running music is it has to be fast and I have to be able to sing along with it (not that I ever can actually sing aloud while I am running but I sing along in my mind!)
My new playlist:
Volunteers - Jefferson Airplane
Are you Gonna Be My Girl - Jet - This song sets a nice little groove that makes it easy to settle in for a run.
Hung Up - Madonna - Love it, love it, love it.
Bring Me To Life - Evanescence - scarfed from a cycle cd someone loaned me. I just like the song.
The Jungle - Guns N Roses - Axel Rose.....my guilty pleasure, I even love him in a kilt.
Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms - pure pop. I love this song.
Whiskey in the Jar - Metallica - always nice to contemplate crime and murder on a run......
Sandstorm - Da Rude - this is a fav in cycle classes for nice rhythmic sprints. It is always great for a 'pick up the pace'. Of course, if it plays during a stretch when the 'tank is empty' and you just don't have any more to give, you might just feel suicidal.
The Reason - Sum 41 - This is one of my all-time fav bands to run to. Just love, love, love to run to them.
Hell Song - Sum 41
Crazy Bitch - Buckcherry - Yeah, I know. I will win no prize with this song. It is nasty and misogynist. I would never play it with my mother in the house. I will deny to my mother to my last day on earth that I ever even heard this song, much less ran and sang along to it. I mean, c'mon! The lyrics:
Hey you're crazy bitch
but you fuck so good
I’m on top of it
When I dream I’m doing you all night
scratches all down my back
to keep me right on
But you know what? It's only rock 'n' roll, folks. It is supposed to hard, nasty and fun. And this song is hard, nasty and fun. And I like running to it. No apologies.
Julie Ann - Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - I harbor a deep and abiding love for 'old school', high-lonesome bluegrass. This particular version of the song I run to is kick ass live. Like bluegrass or not, listening to this, you would have to agree they are stellar, world class muscians without peers.
Lit Up - Buck Cherry - What can I say? Brash, energetic, raucous, visceral. I can usually gasp out, 'Are you fucking high?' at the appropriate time even while running.
Cold Hard Bitch - Jet - pure derivitive rock 'n' roll. Still great to run and sing along to.
I'll Melt With You - Modern English - Lots of fun. Great to run to.
Ride the Chariot to the Devil - Sum 41 - Only a minute long, I use this to try to pick up my pace.
New York, New York - Ryan Adams - This song makes me think of my daughter who is living and going to school in NYC. I end my runs thinking of her.
So that is what I am running to lately. I am open to suggestions :-)
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