Worst running playlist ever.
I took off around 8:45 this evening for what promised to be a lovely 6-mile run. I pressed "Shuffle Songs" on my iPod, started running, and spent the next hour being slowly, sadly, oh-so-gently urged to succumb to a deep, song-induced depression. Observe:
Sodom, South Georgia - Iron & Wine
Pastures New - Nickel Creek
Hold Me Now - Jennifer Knapp
The Fatal Wound - Switchfoot
Closing In - Imogen Heap
Close Your Eyes - Jump, Little Children
What If - Coldplay
Paperweight - Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk
Time And Time Again - Counting Crows
Heard Them Stirring - Fleet Foxes
Fire and Rain - James Taylor
Clear the Area - Imogen Heap
The Moment I Said It - Imogen Heap
Ashes of American Flags - Wilco
Look Around - Blues Traveler
Luckily the exercise-induced endorphins were sufficient to stave off any lasting effects of these not-at-all-exercise-friendly tunes. And then Hysteria by Muse came on as I was cooling down, so that was awesome. Also, great weather (86 degrees right now - bliss!).
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Much Like Chandler's Hand.
My neck is messed up.
Here is a normal cervical spine.
This was my cervical spine in April.
Just to put things in perspective, a normal c-spine has a 40 degree curve. Mine was a -8.
"This kind of spinal degeneration is progressive," he said. "I've never seen a case this bad in someone so young. Have you had a lot of stress in the last 5-10 years?"
My mind flashed back over three separate moves to cities where I knew no one, cramming four years of upper level science and art classes into two, 21 grueling months of my Master's program, heartbreak, failed relationships, friendship drama, family deaths, my first grownup job, buying a house, marathon and triathlon training, leadership roles, fundraising...
"Oh, some..." I replied.
And now, four months later, three visits a week, it's better. A zero degree curve.
Not great, but getting there. Apparently getting out of the negative numbers is the bulk of the work.
Onward to 40°.
Here is a normal cervical spine.
This was my cervical spine in April.
Just to put things in perspective, a normal c-spine has a 40 degree curve. Mine was a -8."This kind of spinal degeneration is progressive," he said. "I've never seen a case this bad in someone so young. Have you had a lot of stress in the last 5-10 years?"
My mind flashed back over three separate moves to cities where I knew no one, cramming four years of upper level science and art classes into two, 21 grueling months of my Master's program, heartbreak, failed relationships, friendship drama, family deaths, my first grownup job, buying a house, marathon and triathlon training, leadership roles, fundraising...
"Oh, some..." I replied.
And now, four months later, three visits a week, it's better. A zero degree curve.
Not great, but getting there. Apparently getting out of the negative numbers is the bulk of the work. Onward to 40°.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Skeptical Dog Is Fraught With Skepticism
OR, MacBook Pro Photo Booth: Fun For The Whole Family
Hey, remember this post with the "um, ok..." face?
For your consideration: Klaus
Also, this:
Hey, remember this post with the "um, ok..." face?
For your consideration: Klaus
Also, this:
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Out Of My League
I just don't think i'm that fancy.
Some friends and I had a swim/dinner date tonight. The three of us utilize two different gym chains. Two of us attend...let's call it NYC Fitness. This is the gym where we normally meet. It's nice, but pretty basic. Nothing too exciting happening at NYC Fitness. But today...ah today we decided to change it up and meet at the other gym. The fancy gym. The gym that looks like a freakin' Arabian prince bought the Mayo clinic and turned it into his own private fitness facility. Bluebirds alight softly on its turrets and sing good morning songs to the magical golden butterflies that float through the atrium. We'll call it Forever Fitness.
After obtaining a guest pass online (a process in which, I'm pretty sure, I had to promise to give them my firstborn child and bring cupcakes to the upcoming Forever Fitness Staff retreat), our little trio met in the atrium of the palatial, glass-walled structure and proceeded to sign in. Now, at NYC Fitness, if you obtain an online guest pass, you show it at the front desk (or not), they scan the barcode (or not) and send you on in to have at it. But Forever Fitness has forms. Double carbon-copy forms, with questions about your fitness facility hopes and dreams, your insurance plan, your corporate wellness program, at what age you had your first kiss, how many miles per gallon your car currently gets, etc.
An hour and a half and two pencils (or, you know, five minutes) later, Stephen, with his crisply-pressed pants and snug black polo, handed us our guest pass cards and, in a soothing, hypnotic voice asked if we were interested in getting a tour of the facility. His hopeful smile beckoned us. His hands twitched towards the member registration forms. Luckily one of those golden butterflies must have floated by and broken our gaze or something, and we managed a "No thanks - our friend here [point to friend] is a member. We'll just check it out with her." And we were on our way to the locker rooms.
Some of the things we saw on the way to the locker room:
Health food cafe and nutrition boutique
Massage rooms
Spa and salon
Yoga studio
Tanning salon
Climbing wall
Unicorn
Upon reaching the marble and mahogany bedecked locker rooms, we changed into our swimsuits (utilizing the individual changing rooms located next to the mahogany lockers, of course), grabbed our large, plush towels provided free of charge, and headed to the pool.
But, ah! A quandry! Which pool? Should we swim in the indoor lap pool, with its sparkling, placid waters? Or perhaps we should skip the workout and simply pick one of the three-story, twisting, curving indoor waterslides to play on? Ah, but it's a lovely day, maybe we should swim luxurious laps in the sun-drenched outdoor lap pool? Or frolic in the wave pool and outdoor waterslides? Choices...
The outdoor areas were packed, so we chose the indoor lap lanes. After several lovely laps, we retired to one of the two grotto-like hot tub areas, where we relaxed in the delightfully bubbly, not-too-hot, beautiful-people-filled waters. We found a good spot to settle in and proceeded to chat away like we belonged there.
After we were sufficiently pruney, we took advantage of the individual, marble-walled showers, spiffed up, and headed back outside, the harsh glare of reality contrasting with the dark desert skies, the scent of Forever Fitness complimentary designer shampoo floating on the breeze...
And then we went to Olive Garden.
Some friends and I had a swim/dinner date tonight. The three of us utilize two different gym chains. Two of us attend...let's call it NYC Fitness. This is the gym where we normally meet. It's nice, but pretty basic. Nothing too exciting happening at NYC Fitness. But today...ah today we decided to change it up and meet at the other gym. The fancy gym. The gym that looks like a freakin' Arabian prince bought the Mayo clinic and turned it into his own private fitness facility. Bluebirds alight softly on its turrets and sing good morning songs to the magical golden butterflies that float through the atrium. We'll call it Forever Fitness.
After obtaining a guest pass online (a process in which, I'm pretty sure, I had to promise to give them my firstborn child and bring cupcakes to the upcoming Forever Fitness Staff retreat), our little trio met in the atrium of the palatial, glass-walled structure and proceeded to sign in. Now, at NYC Fitness, if you obtain an online guest pass, you show it at the front desk (or not), they scan the barcode (or not) and send you on in to have at it. But Forever Fitness has forms. Double carbon-copy forms, with questions about your fitness facility hopes and dreams, your insurance plan, your corporate wellness program, at what age you had your first kiss, how many miles per gallon your car currently gets, etc.
An hour and a half and two pencils (or, you know, five minutes) later, Stephen, with his crisply-pressed pants and snug black polo, handed us our guest pass cards and, in a soothing, hypnotic voice asked if we were interested in getting a tour of the facility. His hopeful smile beckoned us. His hands twitched towards the member registration forms. Luckily one of those golden butterflies must have floated by and broken our gaze or something, and we managed a "No thanks - our friend here [point to friend] is a member. We'll just check it out with her." And we were on our way to the locker rooms.
Some of the things we saw on the way to the locker room:
Health food cafe and nutrition boutique
Massage rooms
Spa and salon
Yoga studio
Tanning salon
Climbing wall
Unicorn
Upon reaching the marble and mahogany bedecked locker rooms, we changed into our swimsuits (utilizing the individual changing rooms located next to the mahogany lockers, of course), grabbed our large, plush towels provided free of charge, and headed to the pool.
But, ah! A quandry! Which pool? Should we swim in the indoor lap pool, with its sparkling, placid waters? Or perhaps we should skip the workout and simply pick one of the three-story, twisting, curving indoor waterslides to play on? Ah, but it's a lovely day, maybe we should swim luxurious laps in the sun-drenched outdoor lap pool? Or frolic in the wave pool and outdoor waterslides? Choices...
The outdoor areas were packed, so we chose the indoor lap lanes. After several lovely laps, we retired to one of the two grotto-like hot tub areas, where we relaxed in the delightfully bubbly, not-too-hot, beautiful-people-filled waters. We found a good spot to settle in and proceeded to chat away like we belonged there.
After we were sufficiently pruney, we took advantage of the individual, marble-walled showers, spiffed up, and headed back outside, the harsh glare of reality contrasting with the dark desert skies, the scent of Forever Fitness complimentary designer shampoo floating on the breeze...
And then we went to Olive Garden.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A Few More Photos
for your enjoyment.
Location: Tempe, AZ
Damaged! Defective! The small print reads "Imperfect for the following reasons: Maternity." Nice, Old Navy. Real nice.
Location: Wichita, KS
This one is for you Friends fans. "A tiny salt shaker!" "Awww, for tiny salt!"
Location: Wichita, KS
Jerilyn's cat is completely and utterly asleep. Looks comfy.
Location: Beloit, KS
A bunch of student-made banners were hanging in the basement of the church where my uncle's funeral was held. Each banner was based on one of the Ten Commandments. This one was my favorite, mostly due to the excellent portrayal of the good ol' five-finger discount. Count 'em.
As always, camera phone, thank you for being there when it counts.
Location: Tempe, AZ
Damaged! Defective! The small print reads "Imperfect for the following reasons: Maternity." Nice, Old Navy. Real nice.
Location: Wichita, KS
This one is for you Friends fans. "A tiny salt shaker!" "Awww, for tiny salt!"
Location: Wichita, KS
Jerilyn's cat is completely and utterly asleep. Looks comfy.
Location: Beloit, KS
A bunch of student-made banners were hanging in the basement of the church where my uncle's funeral was held. Each banner was based on one of the Ten Commandments. This one was my favorite, mostly due to the excellent portrayal of the good ol' five-finger discount. Count 'em.
As always, camera phone, thank you for being there when it counts.
Monday, June 28, 2010
I Would Drive One Thousand Miles
but I'd rather not drive one thousand more.
On our recent last-minute travels to Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado, htd and I found ourselves with many, many road trip hours to kill. The first leg of our journey was spent navigating the backroads of Denver to avoid toll roads and evening rush hour traffic, catching each other up on the minutiae of our lives, heartily singing along to some good tunes, avoiding hitting all manner of wild animals (including five rabbits, seven deer, a fox, and a very near miss of an ambling skunk), actually (and unavoidably) hitting a couple of frogs mid-hop with a hearty *thunk*, and discovering that I must have daydreamed and doodled through various segments of seventh grade Earth Science.
Even more driving ensued in the days that followed and it's safe to say, come Sunday evening and mile 800 or so of our seemingly endless journey, we were running short on conversation topics. Thankfully we had recently viewed the roller derby movie Whip It. In case you've never seen the movie, it's important to know that roller derby chicks come up with "badass" aliases that they skate under, usually based on pop culture and wordplay; in the movie, they had names like Smashley Simpson, Babe Ruthless, Maggie Mayhem, and my personal favorite - Princess Slaya'. And so...
The Time: Sunday evening.
The People: Kristen and her htd.
The Setting: Rented, powder blue Nissan Versa. I-80. Somewhere in western Nebraska. It's quiet in the car.
Aaaaaaaand scene.
On our recent last-minute travels to Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado, htd and I found ourselves with many, many road trip hours to kill. The first leg of our journey was spent navigating the backroads of Denver to avoid toll roads and evening rush hour traffic, catching each other up on the minutiae of our lives, heartily singing along to some good tunes, avoiding hitting all manner of wild animals (including five rabbits, seven deer, a fox, and a very near miss of an ambling skunk), actually (and unavoidably) hitting a couple of frogs mid-hop with a hearty *thunk*, and discovering that I must have daydreamed and doodled through various segments of seventh grade Earth Science.
Even more driving ensued in the days that followed and it's safe to say, come Sunday evening and mile 800 or so of our seemingly endless journey, we were running short on conversation topics. Thankfully we had recently viewed the roller derby movie Whip It. In case you've never seen the movie, it's important to know that roller derby chicks come up with "badass" aliases that they skate under, usually based on pop culture and wordplay; in the movie, they had names like Smashley Simpson, Babe Ruthless, Maggie Mayhem, and my personal favorite - Princess Slaya'. And so...
The Time: Sunday evening.
The People: Kristen and her htd.
The Setting: Rented, powder blue Nissan Versa. I-80. Somewhere in western Nebraska. It's quiet in the car.
Kristen: So what would your roller derby name be?
HTD: Hmmm... that's a good question. Ummm...
[both thinking]
Kristen: Maim Judy Dench
HTD: Tom Brokejaw. But for a boy derby-er.
K: Lucille Ballbuster.
H: Tyra Shanks. Ellen Degenerate.
K: Ellen Degenerate! That's awesome.
[both try unsuccessfully to come up with a play on Portia de Rossi]
K: Umm... Scarred-up Johanssen.
H: Bloody Holly.
K: Lucille Bluth. No change necessary.
H: Ha! Vanessa Bludgeons.
K: Oh! I've got it. Are you ready?
H: Hit me.
K: Helen Killer.
[both dissolve into hysterical laughter]
Aaaaaaaand scene.
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