Getting futher behind

I ran 17 miles at 6 am on Saturday. As a result I did absolutely nothing all weekend except lay on the couch and slip in and out of naps. And eat a ton. Running that much makes you a vacuum of anything edible. Then I went back to work and found out I'll be a lecturer for one of the courses where I work. As in, I make the syllabus, pick the content, teach every class, grade the papers, the works. Like professor without a PhD. I'm really really excited about it, and I have a cool theme picked out for it, but its overwhelming right now. I was given 2 weeks to get it ready - first class is August 25th. So here I am frantically thinking about how to lay out the semester. This is in addition to my normal work duties, so I basically got a second job. Thankfully it pays well, and all that money can go to debts I seem to be unable to shake off.

Speaking of bad money habits - I'm waiting at home for a bit to see if I can catch UPS. They are delivering a new bed frame to me. I'm sure they won't arrive when I'm at home, but I have meetings and teaching today at work and a White Sox game at night.

Finally, a congratulations to Nate on his last day of Real World Employment before beginning grad school. Ch-ch-ch-changes.

Weather was great today eh?

Work's entering the busiest time of the year, but I'm enjoying it because I love what I do (for the most part). I'm also good at it (bragging again). It also makes the days go by faster leaving me saying cliched crap like "I can't believe it's Wednesday already!"

Last night Nate and I watched There Will be Blood finally. I dug it. I'm glad there really wasn't a lot of blood.

This morning I saw a physical therapist. You can read the full description of it on my marathon blog but in short, it's my fault for not stretching better and sooner, it can thankfully and hopefully be solved by skipping my 16 mile run Saturday and doing a regimen of stretches the therapist showed me. I'm giving it two weeks to improve before I go back.

I went to H&M after work. I'm so sick of my clothes. Almost all of them are from San Francisco days meaning they are over two years old. Some go back to Madison. No excuse. Ok, money excuse. My clothes are so tattered now and I'm so bored that I have to do something. My trip to H&M was not fruitful. I found one light weight sweater (read: can't wear for months still). I was too hungry to go to other stores. Boo.

I talked to my dad tonight. He likes to say "anything else going on?" about ten times per phone call. Normally I have nothing, so I say "nope that's about it" but today I felt like something else was going on or that I had done something worth telling a parent about but I can't remember what it is. Seems like maybe its something important? Who knows.

I'm meeting an old Madison friend for dinner tomorrow night. I haven't seen her in probably 4 years! Should be fun and also odd to catch up. Guess such events will occur more often as I get older.

another full weekend

Friday Nate and I saw Encounters at the End of the World at the Music Box. I wasn't sure how I felt as I was watching it, but by the time it was over and over the past few days I've determined it was fantastic. It was a bunch of 'encounters' with various parts of Antarctica and the people that are stationed there. In a way it made the film much more appropriate for television, but the visuals were stunning. I could watch the underwater footage for days and not get bored. And the insane penguin, which if it weren't for the doofus lady in front of me laughing hysterically, I would have been crying over. The music was wonderful too I should ad. Here's the HD Preview of it:



Saturday morning I ran 14 miles. Wowzas! I thought my IT band was going to snap off at the knee, so I am concerned about that. It still hurts today. I spent the afternoon recuperating on the couch. In the evening I went to Kara's house for a going away party for friends Dan and Virginia. It was a good time. Going away parties are strange. Actually, I'm not sure I've been to an official going away party before that wasn't my own? I remember my going away parties in Madison and the multiple ones I had in San Francisco, and I usually felt like "this is fun, but I'm ready to move, and I hate all this good-bye stuff so lets just get it over with." I wonder if everyone else who moves far away has the same feeling. Maybe I just suck at good-byes and would rather just jump ship without going through them. I guess the cliched 'bittersweet' is very fitting for a goodbye party when you are sad to leave a strong group of friends but happy to embark on a new adventure. The night made me want to move across state lines again, its a truly remarkable experience.

Sunday Nate and I lazied about until my older brother showed up. He's here visiting until Wednesday. So again, I'm booked. Wednesday night is the KEXP show, I have plans Thursday, Friday I go to bed early for running, then the weekend is Pitchfork Music Festival. This is too busy for my liking.

busy bee with runners knee

Oy my right knee. Last night was the first time I ran since my 12 mile run that Saturday in Anaheim. I've been too sick to be able to go running since then. It was only a 30-35 min run and within the first mile I had knee pain, and lots of trouble transitioning between running and walking. Just the right knee. By the end of the night the outer portion of my knee hurt very badly. During the run its the actual knee. This is frustrating because one version, just the knee, is simply runners knee, the other version, outside bit, is an I-T band issue which is much more serious and can potentially force me out of marathon training.

To counteract this, I'm going to the runners store tonight to get fitted for running shoes or to see if my current ones are doing the trick. That will eliminate one potential cause for the pain. I've already tried a knee brace to no effect. The other thing to do is to be strict about a stretching and leg strengthening regiment. I've been super lax about starting one, but I have no choice now. So now even more of my time will be devoted to running.

I feel so busy lately. Having someone around again totally rules, but the addition of a 'partner' really forces you to schedule your chores/errands much better or else you end up not being able to feed your dog because you ran out of dog food (me. today.) Those four months I spent mostly alone made it so I could do whatever whenever, but now I need to be better about getting shit done on Monday nights like I used to have to do. It'd be easier with a car because I wouldn't have to reserve an i-go and think so far in advance about errands. I'm not complaining because I'd rather have this problem than have nothing like I used to, but its a bit stressful.

So tonight I was going to do a 6 mile run but now I'm not so sure I should. I have 14 miles on Saturday and I'm totally freaking out about if I'll be able to do it. Tonight will instead be time getting my feet inspected and re-fitted, dog food purchased, and some groceries.

Tomorrow night better involve me attending that 7:20 of the new Herzog doc that opens at the Music Box.

Saturday is the 14 miler then a going away party. Sunday my brother shows up for a visit that was scheduled on very short notice.

blast off

I ran 9 miles this morning and may want to die a little bit. I have to go to the store and I keep putting it off. I finally got Audrey's nails cut but it took a deep sense of obligation and guilt to get her the 5 blocks to the doggy salon. I had ole single-teardrop-tatoo-under-eye lady again! She's funny.

Yesterday was a long long day. I barely had any sleep on Thursday night so waking up at 5:30 and heading out for a 3 hour drive at 6 a.m. was not pleasant. Then to sit in a windowless conference room for hours, only to sit back in the car for another 3 hours...it sucked. By the time I got the rental car back and got home on the train it was after 8 pm. I was in bed and passed out by 9:30 so the entire day was a total waste.

I'd like to go out tonight but I'm so tired right now I don't know if I'll be able to do it. If I don't go anywhere it'll mean I didn't do anything all weekend.

creative way of begging

Drop a (few) Dollar(s) Here and get a very one of a kind MS Paint thank you from me that will surely be worth more than you donated once I become famous.

People who already have their famous ThanksPaints: Kevin, Paul, Liz C, Matt P, Dan M, Wendy VK, Tara L, Tamron, Soup, Lil G and Spinner, Bunge, new E, Jennifer F, Plastic P, Kris Racer, Andy B...

runners gloat

Direct TV came on time, worked quickly and professionally, and left me with a working tv again. See Comcast? That's how its done. Afterwards I scuttled off to work and spent the afternoon on a powerpoint that was both frustrating and enjoyable to work on. Despite how bored I can get, I really do enjoy the work I do.

Came home, watched some of this illustrious cable I forgot existed then went for a run. I didn't feel like going but I had a lot of angst built up in me so I knew running would help. As usual it did the trick in calming me down a bit. Exercising rules. The best part about tonight's run was that I passed two separate male runners. One of them I passed twice! It's funny because each time I'd get close to passing, the dudes would try to speed up their pace because god forbid a girl passes them. I'd breeze on by and feel f'ing awesome about it. The other thing I like to do when I'm running is run by the houses of people I know and hope they are looking out their windows or sitting on their porch. I pretend that they are and that I showboat: "Hey look! You thought I'd never stick to this and fuck man you were SO WRONG! Woohoo!" I'm saying it more to myself than to them, but the sentiment remains. I feel like people didn't really expect me to keep at this or do it well, myself included, so its absolutely fantastic to be 2.5 months into the training. Its so cool to be able to run longer, faster, farther each week. I'm proud of myself.

you can put it on the board, yesss

Had a good run tonight. I almost did a we are the champions arms in the air sort of move at the end I felt so good. It was a bit chilly but whatever. I came home, ate a burrito, and am now fighting with Audrey.

Audrey has been absolutely insane lately. She's attacking me even. Barking and pouncing on me over and over to get my attention. All day long. Its the worst and I don't know whats up. Is she asserting her dominance now that it's just the 2 of us? She's in her kennel right now on time-out because she's been so nuts. If anyone has any idea why she may be this awful, let me know. And trust me, I've been exercising her. And giving her her doggy calm down melatonin too. Ugh.

Thursday I am getting after work drinks with an acquaintance-turned-friend. It feels really nice and refreshing to be branching out, to know that I can do it, and that people are out there. Good times. As long as I keep busy I don't get too depressed. Still probably crying at least once a day though, like a loser.

Finally, the White Sox have been freakin' killing it lately. Love it.

white sox lookin' good

White Sox looking pretty dang good eh??? Won 5 in a row? A Crede grand slam? Swisher livening up the crew? Quentin? Yeah that's right. I got the fever. Wednesday is my first game of the season, against the Twins. It also happens to be the second year in a row where I went to the second game of the season. I hope its not as miserably cold as last year.

I ran after work - it was pretty decent. A little chilly.