Natural Remedies

Catch up - Robie Creek Half Marathon

2009-07-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Ok... rewind... a bit.

I signed up for the Newport Marathon(May 30th, 2009) somewhere back in 2008. I had a good base built up and didn't start seriously training until the first part of March. I had been running a bit over the winter on the dreadmill, and in February I ventured outdoors for some of my runs... but when March hit, that was it! Get serious. I'd also signed up for a half Marathon (part of my training for Newport) that was on April 18th in Boise Idaho http://www.robiecreek.com/. The deal with Robie Creek was that it had quite a bit of elevation gain... so for this one I was training on hills pretty regularly... two hill runs a wk. I went to Idaho with a group of people that I kind of knew - we flew in the day before and all four of us shared a hotel room. Dumb. That's a whole other story... but it did spawn a negative feeling...let's call it... anger (again, part of a different story not fit for blogging..I'll just say bad group dynamics). I found out I run really well when I'm angry. The race didn't start until noon which I though was bizarre and it didn't bode well as it turned to be one of the nicest/warmest days that Boise had this year. The course didn't really have any coverage from trees until after mile 8.3, which also happend to be the apex of the course. I sweated my patooty off and pretty much stopped at every aid station, took a sip of water/aid drink, and then would dowse myself with water. On the ascent, some of the climbs where it got really steep I ended up walking. The apex of the climb I stopped which was a no no... I took a gel and started to feel myself slow down... something I didn;t want to feel because it makes starting back up very hard. I started off again and was on the downhill of the course and started to really pick up speed. Kind of scary as was all gravel road full of pot holes and my legs were tired and didn't think they'd react well if I hit a pothole or really loose gravel. I managed to make it through and ended up finishing 6th out of the 212 in may age group http://www.milliseconds.com/participants/final_list/division/77040 and the 25th woman overall. My time, which included walk breaks and a space out moment at mile 8.3, was 1 hr 50 mins 20 secs. Can't complain. Here are the numbers for the elevation changes http://www.boiserunwalk.com/downloads/elevation-data-only.pdf

The excitement after the race - The race finished at a park where they were holding a post race celebration with BEER, food, and a band. Greg, the other person I ran the race with, and I grabbed a beer and decided we wanted to head out after that, rather than stay and eat. I for one can't eat much after something like that. The event organizers were bussing people out of the park to different locations... of these locations, the last drop off point was the only one that had any cell coverage...uh oh. Greg and I bussed out to the last pick up point where we thought we were going to be picked up by the other two in our group (again...another story about these two)... well - Greg and I waited for almost two hrs, calling the pick up peeps and other people who we thought might be able to get a hold of them. We got chilled waiting. At one point I was laying on the concrete side walk, trying to lay low from the wind and trying to absorb the heat from the concrete ... with ants crawling all about. I think I mentioned anger somewhere...but that is neither here nor there... and neither were they. So Greg stepped up and hitched us a ride back into Boise to our hotel. Thankfully we did have the other key card to the hotel room. What the other two were doing remains to be something of a mystery... self induced on their part I'm sure. They hung out at the other drop off point waiting ... thinking we were partying down at the finish celebration. SO - the long and short, and worth writing about part is that the half marathon turned out well, and I realized that Boise is pretty cool little city and I want to go back to try mtn biking next time - the hills there look fantastic for it!

2008-11-19T12:15:00.001-08:00

Seriously. Is it November already?

Birthday #34

2008-08-14T10:53:00.001-07:00

The weekend of August 2nd came and went without much of a "to do". The Red Bull Flutag was going on down town and I would have liked to check it out, but I was moving furniture instead. I bought my friends leather couch and arm chair and had to move it on Saturday... with the assistance of my mom. So ... this effort was going to take some time. I passed by the Flutag event en route to my moms and could see it was going to be a packed event and I had a twinge of remorse that I wasn't going to be able to attend. But In exchange I finally got some nice furniture for my appartment and could finally put the camp chairs away!
I spent a good part of the day with my mom since I hadnt seen her in a while, and we always lose track of time when we are together. When I got back to my appartment I had to take a nap and then get ready for my birthday dinner, which for some reason, I just wasnt that excited about. I was actually just plain old tired and felt like I wanted to sleep the evening away. When I got up from my nap and started to get ready, that's when the phone calls, texts, and emails started coming in from those who weren't going to be able to make it. I wished I could be one of those calling. And actually thought, heck, if I'm the only one that shows to my own bday dinner ... so be it. I'm good on my own like that. But thank goodness for the trooper friends!

We had dinner and drinks at On Deck. I was hoping for a nicer, warmer day so that we could sit out on the patio but that wasnt' the case. So they put us next to another big party... another birthday girl!

When we realized we were both celebrating our birthdays we got up and put on a show!

Things began to liven up after that and other people in the group wanted to head to another place to go dancing.

I had originally just wanted to do dinner and drinks and had nothing planned for later. Party foul on my part.

After a few more drinks a couple of the guests went home and the rest of us ventured out to this Place called Dirty.

I couldn't think of a better name for this place. I guess one has to be in the mood.... and I was not. And wantd to get the heck out of Dodge... and I wanted everyone else to stay enjoy themselves. I ate this macaroni dinner at On Deck and it was congealing in my stomach and I didn't want to drink more for fear of what I might produce in the way of congealed macaroni vomit later. After putting up with the obnoxious crowd at Dirty, we hoofed it up to the District, at which point I was now wearing my sling back shoes as bracelets. During this whole time we were all trying to figure out where to go to next, while I pleaded that the rest of the group go on with out me. By the time we got to District, the only thing we drank was water and then we all decided we were tired and it was time to go home.... yay!!!! We decided were going to have a "do-over' on the evening and plan it better than what I did. Cool by me!

On sunday I went back to my mom's and my brother came over to help me move my couch and arm chair from the garage to my apartment. Again, when I am with my family, time is out the window. All of a sudden it was evening and we hadn't moved any thing ... just gabbed all day. We headed out to Lake Oswego and got my furniture in the apartment and then went to dinner at the Olive Garden. I'd have to say the comfort of being with family made my day on Sunday. Next year I will rip it up on my bday!

Where has time... and the summer gone.

2008-08-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

I have been working at Nike for a month and a half and it's been AWESOME!!! I'm still over the moon about getting the job here and have been enjoying every minute of it. With that said, having a new job limits the ability to take a vacation. I guess my time off between my last job and here was it. So the summer has been going by fast with a new job and a new mtn bike (From Fat Tire Farm http://fattirefarm.com/) , which has been an experience in itself. I've been riding with some very wonderful and PATIENT people who have been thankfully forthcoming with tips and tricks on making it down single track without dumping (I do still bite it from time to time however). The old bike I was riding was my dads, and it did not have disk brakes. Disk brakes make such a huge difference in riding. The one thing that is taking time for me to get used to is riding clipped in. This weekend we rode Falls Creek over in Washington. It started out rough as, on Saturday, I'd already done a road ride from the Gateway tranist center up to Crown Pt. which was a lot of climbing and miles. The Falls Creek ride had us starting out with a 10 mile road ride up to the trail head and I didn't think I was going to make it up, then I worried about my legs being totally hosed on the way down. Coupled by a bad mood, I thought I was going to be doomed on this ride. The first part of the trail was nice and smooth single track which I was loving... then we hit up hill with roots and rocks. I guess because I've been so into road riding, the concept of riding over rocks and roots freaked me out because the fear of flats and getting bucked off the bike. That's where lovely suspension and fat knobby tires come in. Well, that concept didn't take hold in my mind until half way through the ride. I swear at one point my riding partner was expecting to see me holding the bike over my head, getting ready to toss it off the trail. The thought had crossed my mind. Then, I became tired of fretting, and just thought to myself "Just roll the F*c* over the sh*t" (I tend to curse alot when tired and frustrated)... and getting momentum and biking over every thing all of a sudden became fun!!!! I'd been such a scaredy cat in alot of previous rides and then it just occurred to me to go for it! This is not a road bike and it's not going to bust going over this stuff. By the end of the ride, I was smiling and laughing and felt so accomplished... I'd made a huge mental shift in biking. That fear that prevented me from enjoying it before was gone. The last 45 minutes of the ride was the next best thing to being on a ride at Disney Land. My ride partner was very patient and supportive and won major pts in my book for putting up with my earlier antics. Needless to say, I can't wait to go out Wednesday and Friday to ride some more. I am hoping the summer weather lasts well into the fall so I can get as much mtn biking (and road biking) in as possible!

June-uary

2008-06-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

Oh thank goodness... I think today is the last day of this winter-like weather!! I am fighting my body right now... it wants to sleep and eat. Yesterday, as I looked at the pile of pistachios shells I was tossing aside, it had occurred to me that I was mimicking a chipmunk getting prepared to go into winter hibernation. Convincing myself to go ride has been a challenge. I admit it. I have been going to spinning instead. I thought that by now I should be conditioned for this weather, but everytime I go out, I feel like I am more sensitive to the chill. I have kept up with the running - it's easier for me to run in the nastiness than it is to ride. Well, the weather is supposedly going to be nice today(temp is supposed to get up to 65... not holding my breath - I don't look good in blue). Woohoo. I am going to run club tonight am looking forward to running in the "nice" weather. Friday and Saturday look very nice and I am pretty excited to get out and ride.

In the meantime

2008-06-02T18:02:00.000-07:00

For the past two months my job has been looking for a job and "training" although I haven't solidly decided on what, yet. Portland marathon is the possible "It" event. Looking for a job is interesting in a time when every other news piece is about the rising costs of gas and food, lack in consumer confidence and so on. I have been keeping at it I think something good will be coming my way. I should know where my next paycheck will be coming from with in the next week and a half... fingers crossed. Aside from the job search I have been keeping pretty active. I did the "Reach the Beach" fundraiser ride for the American Lung Association. That was the weekend of May 17th.... the only hot weekend we have seen so far this year. The year has been crappy as far as weather goes and to think of it as 2008 being almost half way over really bums me out. I keep putting outdoor stuff of waiting for the weather to get nicer. The day of RTB, it was 95 degrees... so I can't complain, right? Considering all my training rides had been in mist, cloud cover, and 58 to 65 degree weather... my body was not ready to do 100 miles at a 19mph pace in blazing sun and 95 degree weather.T'was toasty and there were a lot of sun burns to be seen. At the rate that everyone was sweating, it was a chore to keep the sun block on. It was one of those rides where I was glad we weren't spending huge amounts of time at the aid stations... on a day like that, I wanted to keep going and get into the cool weather at the beach which when we got there, did not disapoint. The ride itself is beautiful and despite my snarling about it, I really enjoyed it. I rode with Bernd and Brian, and some other guys I met that day. We were all up to the challenge and 100 miles did seem to fly by. When we got to Pacific City, within minutes of arriving, Bernd and I waded out in the ocean... the very, very cold and refreshing Pacific! My legs were so tired, however that I was afraid I might get washed out to sea and there wouldn't be much I could do to fight it. After devouring sandwiches, chips, and beer that Bernd's wife was so kind to bring for us all, she drove Brian back to his car in Amity and me back to mine in Tigard. I made one last pitstop at Burgerville and then headed home to crash. I have since continued on with my running, riding, and gym workouts. Now I have to start my swimming. I keep saying that.

I went hiking on Memorial day - we went up to Larch mtn where we encountered snow... so we hiked around in the snow for a bit. After Larch mtn, we headed down the columbia river gorge scenic highway to Elowah Falls http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/waterfall.php?num=1374&p=0. It's a short but steep hike and worth it when you get to the falls. Because of the snow melt on Mt Hood and all the rain we have been getting, the water run off is very powerfall because there is so much of it. When crossing the falls to get to the other side of the trail, we got soaked and the power of the falls created such a wind that it would take my breath away. The water fall was thrilling... the power and the sound of the water is very charging.

This last weekend I did a 40 mile Velo ride on Saturday. I ran Sunday morning and then hiked Dog Mountain with some friends http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Dog_Mountain_0000.asp. The hike started off sunny and windy as we high tailed it up the path to catch the couple that we were supposed to start off the hike with. We had a good clip and were both sweating profusely to trudge up the steepness of the path. When we got to one of the clearings, we looked up to see dark clouds speeding past the summit... a good indication that we weren't going to have much of view at the top and that it was going to be pretty cold. We caught up with the other couple, and as we approached the summit we all started putting windbreakers on and fighting the wind during the last part of the ascent. At the top I changed into a dry (not soaked by sweat) shirt, put on gloves, and inhaled a power bar, as five minutes at the top had us all chilled, rattled by the wind and ready to head back down. We took a different path down that was sheltered from the wind and then further down in to the tree line, we were completely sheltered from the wind and warmed back up... nice. All in all, I wonderful hike and one I plan to do more this year.

2008-05-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

I love to ride my bicycle I love to ride my bike....

2008-05-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Made it out Sunday morning for a 55 mile ride which was AWESOME!!! The weather looked sketchy and we even experienced warming sun breaks from time to time...but with all the clouds, the threat of rain was obvious for some point during the day. We headed out from SE Portland to Marine drive and then to Troutdale, on up to Corbett and finally to the Women's Forum which is right before Crown Point. I have always wanted to do that ride and finally found someone to go with who had done it before. I am actually quite familiar with the roads out, there as I grew up right in that area. It's more of a mental thing and a safety thing in wanting someone else to ride it with me. My friend told me that a few years back, people in Corbett were putting tacks on certain stretches of roads and cyclists would end up getting flats as the rode through. Doesn't surprise me. Last year on one of my rides along the Sandy river, some one driving a big @$$ truck thought it would be amusing to drive back and forth along side us, gunning it with exhaust. There's so much I could say about this, but I will chose to let it go and know that some where, some mental patient got off in a big @$$ truck and was havin himself a little fun. I have always wondered if I wore a skoal jersey or malboro or maybe a coors light jersey if that might back off those who are easily irritated by cyclists. Anyway, I digress back to the ride... the thing I loved about this ride was the climb up to the Forum... I don't know what the elevation gain is, will have to research that. But it's a good push. My next goal is to continue on from the Women's and head up to the top of Larch Mtn.... good hills, good times!!!! (Have to wait for the snow to melt... so maybe- AUGUST???)
In the mean time... I had my first intereview yesterday and honestly, it was good to just get out and talk with some body.... having all this time off isn't good for some of us. My perception was that the interview went really well and I thought I would be a great fit for the position... it's pretty much the same thing I did in my last job, just a different industry. After the interview, I hung out at my bro's for a bit. Had to let him know that something he made for dinner for mother's day didn't sit well with me... or my mom for that matter. The food was great! But something was not digesting well. My stomach was upset all day today... it even made sounds during the interview which made me turn a little red. Oh well, it happens to everyone from time to time... the interviewer said something about application and all I heard was flatulation. GROSS!
I then went down to Nike Town to meet up with the run club. I did the 7 miler and that totally messed my stomach up even more. I didn't stick around too long to socialize as I felt it would be best for me to hop in my little car and speed home because... well, that would be TMI.

Excuses are like... noses... every body has one.

2008-05-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Backtracking....
Saturday, May 10.
The weather is dreary... on the cool side, sprinkles here and there, and breezy.
This morning I had two ride options... ride with the Portland Velos at 9 or ride with a team in training for the Livestrong challenge which started at 8. It should come as no surprise that I ended up riding with the Velos. I had the best intentions for the 8 o clock ride which was a 45 miler... but seriously, some mornings my motivation is just hit or miss. If the 8 o clock ride would have been my only option, I probably would have made it, but MY EXCUSE today is that I just joined the Velos and I was going to put my memebership money to good use! ...and the ride started at 9. The funny thing however is that both rides crossed paths this morning and I ran into the ride leader for the livestrong 8 o clock ride in the women's rest room on our (the velo ride) only bathroom stop... what a coincidence! I told the her that I was infact rolling out of bed when I should have rolling over to the beginning of their ride which is sadly enough started only 10 minutes by bike from where I live. Oh well... next time. So this mornings ride was 35 miles and went between 17 and 19 mphs. I think my computer must be wrong on my bike because it felt like a slower ride ... probably because I kept ending up in the middle of the pace line. There was a hill, fortunately, that allowed me to break out of the pack and charge ahead... at the top of the hill I latched on to a group of 4 that was splitting off and sprinting ahead... that was fun! It was half way through the ride and was the first time that I felt like I was actually working my legs. I always meet nice people on the 17mph group, but I am finding I want to push myself more and not necessarily chat with people... don't get me wrong, I like being social... but on these rides, I really want to take advantage of pushing myself as much as possible. Next week is Reach the Beach and I am doing the 100 mile course... I am so excited to see how I do on that ... And I am so excited because I reached my fundraising goal AND the weather is going to be really nice for the ride! YAHOO!!!
Last week I did the ride around clarck county 65 mile ride with a good friend of mine. The weather was really on the cool/breazy side for that one. I could have used more layers on that ride. With the exception of getting a flat right before riding out of the parking lot at the beginning of the ride, it was a really good ride. We got a late start - 9:30am and gunned it... luckily we're both strong riders and ended up in the middle of the pack "Seldom early, never last" was our motto. There were a lot of great hills/rollers on that ride, through beautiful country side and farm lands. I really do love the hills and actually struggle more so on flats.. one of the things I need to work on. When we got to the 2nd rest stop at day break park, we had discovered that my back tire had lost a lot of air... hmmm, I think someone one actually let it out so I would struggle more with the ride :) nah... he didn't... it was a legitimate flat and the great hands of River City Bikes, fortunately, turned over my back tire quickly and we were on our way. Should add that during that break I got so cold that both sets of toes went numb and the digits on my right hand were frozen as well. From that point, I would end up being chilled to the core for the rest of the day. I would have thought that the hill that came up immediately after the rest stop would have had me back to a good temp... alas, my toes and fingers came back to life, but I was just damp cold for the rest of the ride... which still had a couple of good hills in store. The Felida hill was a lot of fun, but the hill that amused me the most wast the last... you take this sharp lef turn on to the hill and this SOB is steep ... I mean... granny steep. So steep in fact that I witnesses a crash because this on rider just stopped because they couldn't peddle or I don't know what and another right behind her crashed into her and there was this chain reaction. We were way off to the side passing as this was going on... you really have to be alert at that point in the ride because alot of people were tired and weaving on their bikes and they don't say anything when they are about to fall over. Anyway... a very satisfying ride... I was pleased with the pace we rode at and was done for the rest of the day. I was supposed to go to a birthday party later that evening... but i only managed to make it burgerville, rite aid and bed. The rest of the day remainded cold and it actually started raining after the ride... I was done with being out in the weather.. and a warm, cozy bed was way more appealing.
So tomorow the ride is dependent on the weather... imagine that. If it turns out to be ok weather - the ride is going to be a 60 miler out to crown point and back... should be a great ride! Fingers crossed that the weather alows it.

Does this mean I'm negative? I'm a cynic? or is this real?

2007-11-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

By GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...):
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We'v e learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time wh en you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete... Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious t houghts in your mind. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. George Carlin © 2007 MicrosoftPrivacyLegal Help CentralAccountFeedback _______________________

Italia 2007

2007-10-16T09:39:00.000-07:00

Standing in front of the Trevi fountain in Rome

Infront of one of the many amazing fountains in Rome
Sara, Julie and I after finishing one of the most fabulous meals that we'd had so far on the trip. This was in Florence.
The cute host who was so attentive and charming.
The food was so good, that almost wanted a cigarette too... kidding!

The island of Capri
Here I am at the top of the Doria Castle, Vernaza, one of the Cinque Terre towns. The Ponte Vechio - far left. Firenze (Florence)
Gauchos do nothing for my hips( except for make them look ginormous). Florence behind me.

The Pantheon, Rome. We walked circles around this place trying to find it. It was very well hidden, surprinsly, in one of the many nooks and crannies that Rome, and Italia in general, offer.
The beach in Levanto

Boat tour - paid full price to the Blue Grotto island boat tours co. to go around the island of Capri.With no explanation as to why, we only went half way around the island. THat sums up a lot of my time in Italy. I wish I would have had my "Sh*t Happens", italian version, t-shirt with me for this trip.
The little stallions like to surf too...how cute.

Soaked in Sorento
Deluge in Sorento
Manarola - One of the Cinque Terre towns
Countryside surrounding Asissi.

A rainy day in Rome... il Colosseo in the background.
St. Peter;s Basilica... With a live performance by the Pope that very day... we didn't stick around to catch the show. Head to the Vatican Museo instead.

Chair lift going to the top of Capri.
Sara and I on the Cinque Terre trail.

Sitting on the top of Capri

Word of the day

2007-09-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

Word of the Day for Friday, September 21, 2007
intrepid \in-TREP-id\, adjective:
Fearless; bold; brave; undaunted; courageous; as, an intrepid soldier; intrepid spirit.

Hood to Coast 2007

2007-08-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

Timberline Lodge - Starting Line

Van 1 - Best in Test

Jani, Julie, Brita, Libby, Brandy, and MeganVan 1 - waiting for Van 2 to finish their 1st leg. Down town Portland underneath the Hawthorn Bridge.

Van 2 - BEST IN TEST

Van 2: April, Steph, Jessica, Livia, Monika, and Lynette - getting motivated as we head off from Tek to the Sandy Fred Meyer's to meet Van 1 as they finish their first leg and we begin ours.

http://www.hoodtocoast.com/

Well, it's here again... would ya look at that!!! Hood to Coast 2007!!!! Where it sounds like a great idea .... until it's 3 o frickin I'm tired a clock in the am and it's time to run leg 2 of the relay... woo hoo... where's mah gosh darn head lamp and I have to hit the honey bucket before runner 21 gets here.... though we complain - WE ALL LOVE IT!!!

My 1st H2C - 2002 - notice the "to beer" on the road... sweet motivation to get me through the last leg.

This year, my 5th, I'm running on the Tektronix women's team - Best in Test (it's an oscilliscope reference). Van 1 (in leg order): Jani, Brita, Libby, Megan, Julie, and Brandi. Van 2: Jessica, April, Monika, Me, Livia, and Lynette.

I am really excited for this year because it's the first time where I haven't over trained or had some kind of unexplained physical ailment and my running has been fairly strong. Was kind of worried when we (April and I) climbed Mt St Helens on Aug 1oth and did a 75 mile bike ride on August 12 and could then barely walk the following week. So ... a week of training lost... but maybe it was a good thing in that it didn't allow for over training - which I have done in the past... over training sucks.

I am off now to get my food and drink and pack tomorrow... should have a lot more to write about Sunday!

Team BEST IN TEST

All the Tektronix running (3) and walking(2) teams

Waiting for Lynette to get here so we can cross the finish line....

As H2C 2007 came to an end... the line for the Honey Bucket still goes on.

Til next year... H2C 2008 training starts in another 5 months!

Finish at the beach - look at those shiny, happey faces! Exceellent work Ladies!!!!

2007-08-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

Mt St Helens August 10, 2007

2007-08-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/mount-st-helens/

Birthday on wheels.... this is how we ROLL!!!

2007-08-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

Becca, Emily, and Steph
(Trying out for the Portland Roller Derby Team....)

Steph, April, Tonya, and Becca
Julie and Alex
Nick, April, Steph, Stephanie, and Troy

I had heard the song "Private eyes" by Hall and Oates on the radio a couple of weeks ago and the memories of rollerskating as a kid came flooding back to me. At that moment I knew what I wanted to do for my birthday.... GO ROLLERSKATING!!!

So we met up this last warm, humid, Saturday at the Oaks Park skating rink and returned to the days of our youth!

Intelligent..Independent...Athletic...

2007-07-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

No... not me silly! CATS!
http://www.aolvideoblog.com/2007/07/24/house-climbing-cat/

Astrophysics and Rock N Roll????

2007-07-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

How awesome is this???
http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=270090&GT1=7702

STP

2007-07-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

The start - 7:00AM University of Washington. The middle - Camping in Centrailia Washington
Greg and Andrea from Abq, NM

The end - Tigard Oregon (actually the end was in Holliday Park, Portland, Oregon)http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?RaceOID=28052007S2&LastName=CROY&amp;amp;BibNumber=3857&Mailing=4988

Seattle to Portland

2007-07-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

Tonya, Andrea, Greg, and myself, along with Oleg and Carrie (Support crew - THANK YOU THANK YOU) are heading up to Seattle, Friday the 13th (hha hha hha, chu, chu chu... sorry, damn allergies) to join the sold out Seattle to Portland ride!!!!! CAN YOU SAY "Blazing Saddles!"????

The weather looks good for the ride this weekend... and we're all excited to get this underway!!!

Check back next week for the report!

Some stats:

Total distance (miles) 202.25
Uphill distance (miles) 30.87
Uphill altitude (feet) 1,951
Maximum altitude (feet) 463

Who Else Will Be On The Road With Me?
8,999 other riders
2,230 one-day riders; 6,770 two-day riders
Oldest rider: 85
Youngest rider: 2 years 4 months old
18% first-time riders
74 medical riders
305 riders who have participated in 10+ STPs

http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/index.cfm

I'm really not a cat person BUT... whatever

2007-07-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.flightpad.net/cats.htm

made me laugh!

2007-07-02T18:52:00.001-07:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kksGxlJsUFQ

http://www.spin.com/features/news/2006/12/0612011_decemberists/

Our weekend in Sunriver and The Pacifc Crest Games

2007-06-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.racecenter.com/pacificcrest/index.htm
My friend April has being doing Triathlons for 3 years now, and every year I've admired her perseverance, progress, and victories. Interestingly enough, it was some time ago when I went out with her on one of her first runs and it was a lot of work for her just to take one lap around the campus at work. For a while, another good friend of ours, who has been running far a long time, K Mark Shofer (aka K Mart Shopper) was kind and patient enough to run with us at lunch. As running skills and confidence got better, we started trail running in Forest Park with a group of friends and then started signing up for running events like the Nike Run Hit Wonder runs, Hood to Coast, and the Shamrock run to name a few. As April's running career started to really take off, she decided to take it to the next level and started

training for tris. At that time, right after turning 30 and entering into some unhealthyrelationships,my health started to take some interesting turns due to a lot of stress. Throw in a dislocated shoulder from snowboarding that dislocated subsequently 2 more times... simply put, I was a mess and physical activities seemed to aggravate certain things instead of alleviating stress.
After moving on from the relationships and having shoulder surgery in December 2006, I started to slowly get back into running and found that my body was quite receptive, and I felt even better running now than I had before. My body seemed ready for more challenges. With that - another friend of mine asked me if I wanted to do the Seattle to Portland ride with her and some friends from work and I said "YEAH!". So I bought a Specialized Roubaix, which I LOVE (her name is Lulu)!!!! I started riding with April and Tonya, the Portland Wheelmen, the Portland Velo group and a lot of rides on my own. One of the first organized rides Tonya, April, and I participated in was the American Lung Association's Reach the Beach ride. The ride length we did was the 55 miler leaving from Amity Oregon. After that ride, my confidence started to build with riding and then I did the Helvatia Half marathon and surprised myself that I could make it - with a time that wasn't all that bad. April, suggested I sign up for the Pacific Crest Olympic distance duathlon. She was signed up for the the Oplympic distance triathlon. The event was taking place out near Bend, one of my favorite places in Oregon, and with all my running and cycling that I'd been doing, I thought this would be the perfect way to give a duathlon a shot! So I signed up two weeks before the event - how's that for timing! I was taking advice from April as to how I should train for the next two weeks - part of that included my first brick work out. The last Tuesday before the race I went out to Sauve Island to do the brick work out. Coincidently there was another group with a trainer there at the same time I was, doing the same thing. I hung to the back of their ride and figured if I could keep up with them, assuming they'd been doing this training longer than I had, and if I could keep up - I wouldn't be in that bad of shape for Sunday. I rode hard to simulate the pace I hoped to do for the race and kept up with the goup in front of me. However, at the beginning of the second lap I had to use the rest room and was not going simulate peeing my pants in a race scenario. Stopped and used the stinkinest, nastiest "honey bucket" that everyone who rides at Sauve knows about, especially on a warm day. Took a gel shot and was off for round two to complete the 24 miles. I rode hard to catch the group and actually passed two of them but was riding really hard to do so. Got back to the parking lot and now it was time to run... the transition from cyciling to running is one of the most awkward feelings there is. I felt like I bouncing up and down taking baby steps - the sense of running hard and getting no where fast. It took a bit to get my stride to strech out and apparently I got far - a mile and half out and then it was time to turn back. By that point, my worry subsided about how the run would feel because on the way back my stride smoothed out and while my legs still felt tight - I was able to push through. The question now was, could I do that for 6 miles. I ran with Mark on Wednesday, which began the tapering phase. And though I told him it would have to be a slow pace, we somehow managed to step it up while talking about anything and everything as we usually do. Thursday I had to go buy speed laces, drop my bike off for a tun up and then go do laundry - as of wednesday I'd gone through my last sports bra (laundry is another topic for another blog). I got to bed late Thursday and woke up early Friday morning to pack, not the best plan because that usually means something of significance is going to be left out and some random, unnecessary item is going to be packed in its place... well, I took my chances. It also came as no surprise that when I planned to leave early on Friday I was slammed at work and my nerves were starting to ruffle because I still had to pick my bike up and then head over to April and Nicks so that we could leave from their place at 4. I left work 15 minutest later than I planned and swiftly headed over to Sunset Cycles to pickup Lulu - she looked sparkly and happy and I ghetto tossed her in the trunk and headed over to April's ... TRAFIC!!! Shiza Minelly!!! My nerves went to level 11 and I called April telling her that I was stuck and had no idea how much time it would take now for me to get there. I told her if her and Nick were already packed and ready to go, just to go ahead and I would lag behind them on the way over... but as it turned out Nick wasn't even home yet and I was able to navigate in and out of the side streets and hwy 26 to get there in good time.

We got to Bend and upon checking in to the Best Western, we were informed that they had mis-booked us into a room with only one king bed... and while entertaining the fleeting thought of all three of sleeping in one bed (all lactose intolerant), Nick had to put the smack down and we endedup switching reservations to a "little out of the way" place called the Entrada Lodge, which we decidely chose to refer to as the Enchilada Lodge. After dropping our stuff off at the Enchilada Lodge, we headed back out to meetup with some familly and friends for dinner and drinks. We had dinner at an Italian restraunt and I thought a glass of merlot would help calm the nerves and 3 gwasses rater, I was doing qite will. THEN we headed to some dive bar(thers a good reason why I can't remember the names of these places,I just can't remember why) and danced and listened to a live band covering 80's and 70's music, I think. After another 3 glasses of wine, we headed back to the Enchilala lodge and were in bed a little after 12... another late night... great. I didn't sleep that well, and woke up in the middle of the night because SOMEONE instisted the heat had to be turned on...Nicole. I got up out of my pool of sweat to go turn the cold air on and wasn't really able to sleep after that. My stupid alarm on my phone went off at 5am and that was it. I was wide awake listening to the other two occasionally snort and fart, and enjoy their sleep while I lay there.

Saturday morning - we all roll out of our respective beds around 8. I was trying to convince myself that I only had 4 glasses of wine the night before - not six. My dull, fuzzy nogin could not escape the truth. The plan today was that April and I were going to drop Nick off so he could spend some good quality time with his bro and we were going to pick up our race packets, get a small work out in - which meant April getting into the oh so cool Wickiup Resevoir for a swim, and drop our bikes off at transition 1. My ultimate goal for that day was to be back in bed, asleep, by 9pm.

On the way out to Sunriver we stopped at the store to pickup sugary electrolyte drinks and water to aide in our self induced dehydration and I picked up some other pharmeceuticals because for some reason my nose was completely stuffed up and my regular allergy tablet wasn't working. I was hoping that I wasn't coming down with a last minute cold.

We got to the frenzy of the Athlete's village in Sunriver, and as we were walking along that's when it hit me. First I thought it was elevation, but knowing I don't suffer from any sort of elevation sickeness - we figured it had to be my nerves kicking in. My breathing got really shallow, palms clammy, and knees week as we passed amazingly fit athletes - Saturday's events consisted of:

Half Iron Triathlon, Endurance Duathlon, Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, Tri NW Long Course

Thankfully I was there with someone who had done this before and had been through the first time jitters (understatement).

We walked around, checking out all the vendor booths with everything and more that one into multisports could possibly need or want... and their oh so not so low prices... it's a racket! But some pretty interesting stuff none the less.

We had lunch and then it was time to go stand in line to get our race stuff...CF! Lines for this and lines for that ... I'm not that great at organization, but I think I could have organized that a little better and get competent volunteers to facilitate the packet handouts. Standing in line #2, I was watching what the volunteers were handing out - wristbands of different colors, a cotton or technical T (tech T if you paid the xtra $10), and stuffing them into a nice schwag bag. My turn... the kid doesn't say a word to me but looks at the info on my race packet, gets a technical T and wads it up and hands it to me. I asked about one of the colored wristbands and he said I didn't need one...Ok I thought, he would know his job better then me, right? :) Then I asked for a bag so I could stuff my wadded up shirt in it. I was a bit unnerved since everyone else before and after me were getting different colored wristbands, but that soon passed as we tried to get directions from another volunteen on how to get to the reservoir to drop off our bike. April was handling this and I listened to what that gal was saying and watching April writing it down. The girl's directions were peppered with "ummmm"s and "then I think you go" and quite frankly I couldn't understand any of it but April was writing stuff down and kept replying "Ok"... so we were on our way.

Yeah, so we got a little lost... but boy is Bend sure scenic and pretty! After winding this way, zagging that way and a little back tracking to ask for directions - we finally made it to Wickiup!!!

The buzz heightened as everyone trekked their equipment to the 1st transition - eyeing each others bikes, talking about previous and upcoming events, talking of training schedules, and all through out hearing "good luck tomorrow!"... this was very cool.

We got to the transition check point and I was told I couldn't go down to set up my bike because I didn't have a green WRISTBAND... deep breath... deep breath... ummmm, the intelligent young man at the packet pick-up said I didn't need one. I showed the man my confirmation that I recieved in the mail and my packet - both stating "Duathlon" on them... yes, a bit confusing I'm sure. Indeed, I should have recieved a green wristband. Well... spilled milk be damned, I wasn't going to cry - I was about to bite someone's head off. Again, breath... I told him that I need to set up my bike, and asked if there was another way to get a green wristband at this point? He put a zip tie on my wrist and told me to find him tomorow when he would then give me an official GREEN WRISTBAND. Ok - whatever. We got marked with our numbers, April got her swim in, we got a little bit of a ride in, and I got my bike set up (phew) - time to head back... again, directions from another volunteen and a lovely scenic ride back into Bend.

We got our electrolytes and water in, ate throughout the day, and had dinner Shizzy's pizza and so much more. Back to the Enchilada Lodge and in the room by 9pm... we set out stuff for the morning, showered, watched some bad summer reality tv.. and then off to bed. For some of us. I know I dreamt that night but I'm pretty sure I only got around 4 hours sleep... OMG... this freaked me out because I know how I am when I don't sleep well... pretty much incoherent!

Sunday - RACEDAY. Nervous for sure, I was not going to even compound that with thinking about my sleeping patterns from the last few days... it is what is. Breakfast of champions consisted of protien enriched oatmeal, more gatoraide, banana, apple and quite frankly I was still full from everything I ate the day before. Unfortunately, I was not able to pull off the morning constitutional due to nerves and traveling... so I was going to be loaded for the day.

When I think Bend, I think desert. When I think desert, I think ... ahhhh, warm and dry. So, I packed for warm and dry. And it usually is warm by midday. Not so,however, in the early morning. Nope... we went to transition #2 to drop off our running stuff... I, clad in my little bluehoody sweatshirt and my race jersey underneath, capri's over my race shorts, and Chacos... exposing my little toes that go numb at the touch of an icecube.. to the 32 degrees temp outside that morning. There was a frost on the ground and every one that left their stuff out at the transition the night before now had frozen gel cubes and shots and clothes and shoes. I felt silly as I saw people in caps, gloves, full length warm-ups, fleeces, and the like walk by.. and looked for people who were dressed more like me...and luckily they were out and about, stating the obvious.."gee, it sure is cold.. hope it warms up'. Trust me, I've get a little list of things to remember for next year.

Off to the starting line...I know we were talking about stuff on the way out but I can't remember what. Some moments I wasn't thinking of anything and at other moments, one too many thoughts were trying to make it front and center in my head... and I'm not supposed to be taking this event "seriously"...it's just to dip my toe in...

We got to transition 1, which was the start of the Du, and hung out in the truck for a bit. At 7:45 we headed down. Got to the T1 gates, and with out any complications, I finally got my green wristband...YAY! Nick headed down to the beach to the spectator area and April and I headed down to our starting places. I pulled my bike off the rack and set it up against a tree to pump up my tires and get it ready, when I turned around some guy was putting his bike up in my place and when I told him that was my spot, he didn't react or say anything, just walked off to the tri staging area. The lady next to me suggested I take his bike and prop it up next to the tree and put my bike back. I told her this was my first time and that this was just part of the learning curve... and walked my bike down to the end of the Duathlon racks to finish getting ready. At this time it was now 8:30... time to peel off my thin layer of outer wear and put my bike shoe on... this is when I discovered I only had one bike shoe!!! A miriad of thoughts started rushing through my head as I jumped over to the spectator side and was running around the beach looking for Nick. Couldn't find him and went back to find April - she told me he'd gone back to the truck... so I sprinted up to the truck and was relieved to see he was in there and that my other bike shoe was in there also. I was ready to go by the 8:45 pre-race announcements... and at 8:55 we all lined up. I was next to a couple of other newbies and this one gal who had all sorts of gadgets on her wrists and bike to relay all sorts of stats as she was racing along. I looked up at her helmet expecting to see a satelite dish and was kind of bummed when I didnt. She was a talker too...had something to say pretty much about everything...and I was amused by her - she atleast drowned out all the voices that were going on in my head.

Two by two we made it up the start pad and then we were off!!!! This was a chip timed event, so crossing the starting pads would start our individual race.

It took about 2 miles for my legs to finally feel warmed up after standing in line, somewhat frozen.

This years bike course was altered due to road construction, so the course was a rolling downhill and it was really enjoyable!

Towards the end of the bike route the car traffic started to really back up and there was a mile and a half section when we were right next to the cars which did make a bit uncomfortable and I wound up slowing down because it was bit of a tight squeeze. After that it was a breeze up to transition 2 - running! I was right behind some old guy (like 70's or something) that had this huge cheering section at the transition gates and he was slowing down and waving at them... and blocking me... and transition time counts! I kind of felt like a biddy when I ruined his Chariots of Fire moment by shouting "EXCUSE ME!!! COMING THROUGH!!!" and he got out of our way... a woman behind me said thanks, and it turns out that there was a line of 5 other people right behind me. I racked my bike, took a drink of accelerade4, switched shoes and was off.. until I saw the oasis that was the porta potty! I realized I did have to go and that not going would probably hinder me and cause for an "accident" somewhere down the path. Now, the same thing happened to me during the half marathon... I get in there and it seems like all time stands still and I'm moving in slow motion... realizing how bad I did have to go and how good it felt to go...I stayed in a little longer than normal kind of camping out. Alas... I jumped up, tucked my shirt in to my underpants and shorts and headed back out onto the course!!!. As I expected, it took the first mile for my legs to adjust and was relieved that I wasn't in much discomfort as I thought I might experience. I made sure to get a drink at most all the water stops. At the 2nd to last water stop I asked the woman what mile this was and she said she thought it was 4 - no wait , a little over 3 and a half. I said ok, and turned, then she said she thought that it was mile 4 but not to take her word on it becuase she could be wrong, and she should know by now because I wasn't the first runner to ask her this question... and yes, she was pretty certian it was 4 and that I was almost done. I had no idea how long that exchange took, but I thanked her for the water and was off. And indeed, it was mile 4... that's when the fun kicked in for me because the last 2.2 miles, I had a little foot race going on with these other two guys that had caught up to me. With some jockeying, I kept ahead which re-energized me and the finish line was getting close. Towards the end it was getting louder with music, bells, and there were more people cheering us on - and those two guys beat me by senconds... but oh well!!! I beat my own expectations and had one of the best weekends of my life! 25. some odd miles on a bike and a 6.2 mile run...and I finished!!!! The results weren't too bad either.

So much thanks go out to Nick - for the business paying for dinner and drinks on Friday, for putting up with our constipation talk, dirtying up his truck and the B.O. he complained about but we know he secretly likes, and taking fantastic pictures throughout the race. And greatly appreciative thanks to April for motivational support, training support, logistical support, and for being one of the funniest and most understanding people I know!!! THANKS COACH! Can't wait for next year and doing the TRI!!!

Official race photos: http://www.finishshots.com/racerresults3.php?raceid=473&bibnumber=2125

PACIFIC CREST OLYMPIC DUATHLON

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2007

# OF FINISHERS: 151

# OF FINISHERS - FEMALES: 61

# OF FINISHERS - MALES: 90

# OF DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION: 4

racecenter.com

I ended up placing 5th out of 17 in the 30-34yr old age group!!!!! I'LL TAKE IT!!!! :.D

The Gorge Ride 6/16/07

2007-06-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

Wind, wind and more wind.
Aside from the phenomenal scenery and blue skies; the wind was something to contend with. Making silly statements, as I'm know for ... or as I put it “having a degree in stating the obvious" , I commented to T and A "You'd think they'd put a disclaimer out about the wind when signing up for this ride". Listening to myself as I uttered that statement and getting the look of "DUH" from T and A... the Columbia River Gorge is renowned for the sports of windsurfing and kite boarding... also for harnessing wind power.... hmmm. I should have known this before hand. There are just some things that come with the territory. Wind be damned, (speaking of, Bonneville dam is a great place to stop when visting the Gorge area - the fish hatchery is there and I love seeing the monster sturgeon... those suckers are crazy big and I'd hate to be in an intertube with one of those things swimming below me http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/USFISH/Photographs/Sturgeon.jpg) we rode on and took it as a challenge to better ourselves in the NW weather conditions.

The climb up to Roweena Crest.
The ride was hilly with nice rollers. This road up to Roweena Crest was the only real climb.

The reward at the top of the climb? A gorgeous view of the Gorge!!!

East North East view of the river from Roweena Crest

In front of the Mosier Twin Tunnels

Celebrating Tonya's B-Day Later that evening..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Happy Summer Solstice!!!!

2007-06-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

2007-06-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

My first half marathon... The Helvatia Half!!!
06/09/07
http://runwithpaula.com/content/view/19/35/

Jon Stewart - The College of William and Mary commencement, 2004

2007-06-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

Adapted from the commencement speech delivered by Jon Stewart, host and executive producer of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," at the College of William and Mary, May 16, 2004.

Thank you, Mr. President, I had forgotten how crushingly dull these ceremonies are. Thank you. My best to the choir. I have to say, that song never grows old for me. Whenever I hear that song, it reminds me of nothing. I am honored to be here, I do have a confession to make before we get going that I should explain very quickly. When I am not on television, this is actually how I dress. I apologize, but there's something very freeing about it. I congratulate the students for being able to walk even a half a mile in this non-breathable fabric in the Williamsburg heat. I am sure the environment that now exists under your robes, are the same conditions that primordial life began on this earth.
I am honored to be here and to receive this honorary doctorate. When I think back to the people that have been in this position before me from Benjamin Franklin to Queen Noor of Jordan, I can't help but wonder what has happened to this place. Seriously, it saddens me. As a person, I am honored to get it; as an alumnus, I have to say I believe we can do better. And I believe we should. But it has always been a dream of mine to receive a doctorate and to know that today, without putting in any effort, I will. It's incredibly gratifying. Thank you. That's very nice of you, I appreciate it. I'm sure my fellow doctoral graduates-who have spent so long toiling in academia, sinking into debt, sacrificing God knows how many years of what, in truth, is a piece of parchment that has been so devalued by our instant gratification culture as to have been rendered meaningless-will join in congratulating me. Thank you. But today isn't about how my presence here devalues this fine institution. It is about you, the graduates. I'm honored to be here to congratulate you today. Today is the day you enter into the real world, and I should give you a few pointers on what it is. It's actually not that different from the environment here. The biggest difference is you will now be paying for things, and the real world is not surrounded by three-foot brick wall. And the real world is not a restoration. If you see people in the real world making bricks out of straw and water, those people are not colonial re-enactors-they are poor. Help them. And in the real world, there is not as much candle-lighting. I don't really know what it is about this campus and candle-lighting, but I wish it would stop. We only have so much wax, people. Let's talk about the real world for a moment. We had been discussing it earlier, and I...I wanted to bring this up to you earlier about the real world, and this is I guess as good a time as any. I don't really know to put this, so I'll be blunt. We broke it. Please don't be mad. I know we were supposed to bequeath to the next generation a world better than the one we were handed. So, sorry. I don't know if you've been following the news lately, but it just kinda got away from us. Somewhere between the gold rush of easy internet profits and an arrogant sense of endless empire, we heard kind of a pinging noise, and uh, then the damn thing just died on us. So I apologize. But here's the good news. You fix this thing, you're the next greatest generation, people. You do this-and I believe you can-you win this war on terror, and Tom Brokaw's kissing your ass from here to Tikrit, let me tell ya. And even if you don't, you're not gonna have much trouble surpassing my generation. If you end up getting your picture taken next to a naked guy pile of enemy prisoners and don't give the thumbs up, you outdid us. We declared war on terror. After we defeat it, I'm sure we'll take on that bastard ennui. But obviously that's the world. What about your lives? What piece of wisdom can I impart to you about my journey that will somehow ease your transition from college back to your parents' basement?
I know some of you are nostalgic today and filled with excitement and perhaps uncertainty at what the future holds. I know six of you are trying to figure out how to make a bong out of your caps. I believe you are members of Psi U.
So I thought I'd talk a little bit about my experience here at William and Mary. It was very long ago, and if you had been to William and Mary while I was here and found out that I would be the commencement speaker 20 years later, you would be somewhat surprised, and probably somewhat angry. I came to William and Mary because as a Jewish person I wanted to explore the rich tapestry of Judaica that is Southern Virginia. Imagine my surprise when I realized "The Tribe" was not what I thought it meant. In 1980 I was 17 years old. When I moved to Williamsburg, my hall was in the basement of Yates, which combined the cheerfulness of a bomb shelter with the prison-like comfort of the group shower. As a freshman I was quite a catch. Less than five feet tall, yet my head is the same size it is now. Didn't even really look like a head, it looked more like a container for a head. I looked like a Peanuts character. Peanuts character [with] terrible acne. But what I lacked in looks I made up for with a repugnant personality.
In 1981 I lost my virginity, only to gain it back again on appeal in 1983. You could say that my one saving grace was academics where I excelled, but I did not. And yet now I live in the rarified air of celebrity, of mega stardom. My life a series of Hollywood orgies and Kabbala center brunches with the cast of Friends. At least that's what my handlers tell me. I'm actually too valuable to live my own life and spend most of my days in a vegetable crisper to remain fake news anchor fresh. So I know that the decisions that I made after college worked out. But at the time I didn't know that they would. See college is not necessarily predictive of your future success. And it's the kind of thing where the path that I chose obviously wouldn't work for you. For one, you're not very funny. So how do you know what is the right path to choose to get the result that you desire? And the honest answer is this. You won't. And accepting that greatly eases the anxiety of your life experience. I was not exceptional here, and am not now. I was mediocre here. And I'm not saying aim low. Not everybody can wander around in an alcoholic haze and then at 40 just, you know, decide to be president. You've got to really work hard to try to.I was actually referring to my father. When I left William and Mary I was shell-shocked. Because when you're in college it's very clear what you have to do to succeed. And I imagine here everybody knows exactly the number of credits they needed to graduate, where they had to buckle down, which introductory psychology class would pad out the schedule. You knew what you had to do to get to this college and to graduate from it. But the unfortunate, yet truly exciting thing about your life, is that there is no core curriculum. The entire place is an elective. The paths are infinite and the results uncertain. And it can be maddening to those that go here, especially here, because your strength has always been achievement. So if there's any real advice I can give you it's this. College is something you complete. Life is something you experience. So don't worry about your grade, or the results or success. Success is defined in myriad ways, and you will find it, and people will no longer be grading you, but it will come from your own internal sense of decency which I imagine, after going through the program here, is quite strong...although I'm sure downloading illegal files.but, nah, that's a different story. Love what you do. Get good at it. Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age. And let the chips fall where they may.
And the last thing I want to address is the idea that somehow this new generation is not as prepared for the sacrifice and the tenacity that will be needed in the difficult times ahead. I have not found this generation to be cynical or apathetic or selfish. They are as strong and as decent as any people that I have met. And I will say this, on my way down here I stopped at Bethesda Naval, and when you talk to the young kids that are there that have just been back from Iraq and Afghanistan, you don't have the worry about the future that you hear from so many that are not a part of this generation but judging it from above.

Mt Hood 5/29/05

2007-06-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

10pm... Heading out to climb Mt Hood

Pack loaded and ready to go

(I got the retro award for having the REI Tourstar backpack Circa 1995)

Complete with water, food, emergency supplies, clothes, rocks, couple of bricks and a small child.

This is the second time I've climbed Hood with this pack... first time was 11 yrs ago when I was a strapping young lass doing forest service work. The pack seemed much lighter back then.

Cheese please!

And behind me we have Mt Jefferson....

Due West
A fantastic view of Mt Hood's shadow being cast to the west as the sun is rising in the east.

...Scotty, Beam me up...

my legs are tired

Heading up the Hog's back ... this time, both sulfur pits are exposed on each side... stinky stinky... and NO that was not me!

The first time I climbed Hood, the group headed up the Hog's Back and then cut to west, over the Bergshrund, and then up through the "Pearly Gates". On this climb we cut to the East because there was supposedly less ice that we'd have to go through.

Glacading on the heiny... oh so much fun!!!

FINALLY!!! Some one else has an age that >= 30

2007-05-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Canucks sure do know how to have a swell time!

Stopping at a fine familly establishment in Tacoma on
the way up to Vancouver BC

The Birthday Girl shows the Hooters staff what the Funky Monkey really looks like.... there is NO SHIMMYING in the Funky Monkey!
The staff obviously did not get hired based on dance ability.

While enjoying the Cosmopolitan/European flare of shopping
in Vancouver BC, Bobby Ray (Accountant/Drag Racer... or was that
Queen?) was beside himself when not only did find the 50% off sale racks, but finally the moccasins he always wanted. The question now was - which moc complimented his body hair the best?

Some where in downtown Vancouver.

ACH! mein Wort! Was sagtest du gerade?

2007-05-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Meine deutsche Familie… sind wir sehr attraktiv! Ja?
http://www.stadt-butzbach.de/

http://dictionary.reference.com/translate/index.html

Frankfurt, Germany
I found this skyline view appealing because of all the church steeples dispersed through out the city

Frankfurt Germany

alte Schule

The Nerlich Mafia - Is that a Polka I hear in the distance?

By no strategical doing of my own, I was pleasantly surprised when my mom and I took the train into Frankfurt to find that we were the at the same time the beginning ceremonies were taking place for the World Cup Soccer Tourny for 2006! It was a lot of fun to walk around the city and experience the excitement with visitors from other countries. I must say, we came across a group of Brits diving into their pints shamlessly... as they are well known for... HA ... kind of just kidding... any way, these guys were hella crazy and fun to watch... my mom made sure to stand close by to get in on all the beer they were splashing around.... ach mamma... you can take the German out of Germany but you can't take Deutchland out of the German!

the Reaching of the Beach...ing

2007-05-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.reachthebeach.org/

The Primary Colors getting ready to roll!

Red - Sinus/allergy t-issues

Yellow - Tummy Troubles

Blue - A nagging (smoker-esque) cough

...Primary Roll models for a ride benefitting the American
Lung Association . Hey! Did anyone see where I put my

lighter? I also seem to have misplaced my inhaler.

At this point we are still unaware that our ride home had blew a head gasket in Lincoln City... he too was now dipping his toes in the sand...

This is us hitch-hiking from the finish line... some one drove by shouting the weisenheimer comment " you've got bikes....!!!" Whu? Escuse mes? WTF!!! I AM NOT RIDING HOME YOU %*!$&!!!
The next journey would be the Greyhound-Esque ride from Hades part du (French for two).

Alternative sleep aid

2007-05-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

I am going to start commenting on the inane things I do for my own personal gratification and pass it on to everyone else as creative, thoughtful, insightful... what ever... and at best if you can't seem to fall asleep after a 12 hour day of what ever it is you do and need that extra zing to put you to sleep.. this will be more boring than the bedside novel you are contemplating reading, especially out of fear because you are at that tired state where you know if you start reading you will more than likely fall asleep but not remember anything you've read... enter... my blog.