http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRETm9U0O10
Yes, this is my lame first attempt at creating a 17-second video on my digital cam and then uploading it to YouTube. Expect new and improved scintillating content over the next few weeks, possibly me singing to Labrador retrievers. Woo-effin-hoo.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Random Ramblings
Tomorrow is Girls' Day Out...yippee! I lurve getting together with the girlfriends: Anne, Lynne, Cat, Barb and Joan. All friends from my running club. We're going out to lunch and then out to a movie. Looks like we're seeing "Dream Girls" since about half of us have seen "Holiday."
"Holiday" was cute, very entertaining. And Jude Law, bastard that is he, is not hard to look at. I really want to see "Dream Girls," however, because of Jennifer Hudson. I hear she steals the show from Beyonce.
Worked a little bit harder with the weights yesterday and today I feel it a bit, but in a good way. Not too sore but sore enough to know that I worked out. I feel as if my posture is getting better, too.
Had a deep tissue massage today and boy oh boy, she really got in there and worked that sciatic nerve on the left side. I really have to keep on top of that or it will turn into real sciatica and that is NOT a good thing. Lots of stretching that puppy.
BF & I had dental appointments and this marks my 35th year of being cavity-free. Tom was amazed. I am lucky that I inherited my mother's good teeth. My brothers were not as lucky. But I also think it has a lot do with flouride being introduced to the water when I was young. A lot of folks are against flouride but I think it has done more good than harm, especially where dental disease is concerned. Also, I HATE any kind of soda pop and my brothers both love Coke. That may have something to do with it, who knows?
I always hated carbonated beverages. I find they don't quench my thirst and actually make me thirstier. I basically just drink water, green tea, coffee, red wine, beer and fresh juice made in a juicer. None of that commercial crap. You might as well drink pure sugar water.
We bought a really cool picture frame tonight. It looks like a window with 12 panes, 4 across and 3 down. Cherry wood, really pretty. We're want to fill it up with running pix but it takes 4 x 6 photos so we need to get busy and take more of that size. The USATF dinner is coming up so we'll get some more there.
My favorite Christmas gift? A portable DVD player! We actually saw this in a store and I remarked to Tom that it was something I would never buy for myself. Well, whaddya know? He got me one. I am loving it. It will sure make the morning commute that much more tolerable.
Sometimes I read on the bus but those overhead lights are so dim that it's uncomfortable to read. Which is a darn shame because I love to read. But I love being headache-free more. Damn DeCamp! Spring for some freakin' lightbulbs that work halfway decent, why dontcha?
"Holiday" was cute, very entertaining. And Jude Law, bastard that is he, is not hard to look at. I really want to see "Dream Girls," however, because of Jennifer Hudson. I hear she steals the show from Beyonce.
Worked a little bit harder with the weights yesterday and today I feel it a bit, but in a good way. Not too sore but sore enough to know that I worked out. I feel as if my posture is getting better, too.
Had a deep tissue massage today and boy oh boy, she really got in there and worked that sciatic nerve on the left side. I really have to keep on top of that or it will turn into real sciatica and that is NOT a good thing. Lots of stretching that puppy.
BF & I had dental appointments and this marks my 35th year of being cavity-free. Tom was amazed. I am lucky that I inherited my mother's good teeth. My brothers were not as lucky. But I also think it has a lot do with flouride being introduced to the water when I was young. A lot of folks are against flouride but I think it has done more good than harm, especially where dental disease is concerned. Also, I HATE any kind of soda pop and my brothers both love Coke. That may have something to do with it, who knows?
I always hated carbonated beverages. I find they don't quench my thirst and actually make me thirstier. I basically just drink water, green tea, coffee, red wine, beer and fresh juice made in a juicer. None of that commercial crap. You might as well drink pure sugar water.
We bought a really cool picture frame tonight. It looks like a window with 12 panes, 4 across and 3 down. Cherry wood, really pretty. We're want to fill it up with running pix but it takes 4 x 6 photos so we need to get busy and take more of that size. The USATF dinner is coming up so we'll get some more there.
My favorite Christmas gift? A portable DVD player! We actually saw this in a store and I remarked to Tom that it was something I would never buy for myself. Well, whaddya know? He got me one. I am loving it. It will sure make the morning commute that much more tolerable.
Sometimes I read on the bus but those overhead lights are so dim that it's uncomfortable to read. Which is a darn shame because I love to read. But I love being headache-free more. Damn DeCamp! Spring for some freakin' lightbulbs that work halfway decent, why dontcha?
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
More on Texas
The 10 O'clock News is depressing but not as depressing as my family in Texas.
Got a picture text message on my cell phone of a sun rising from my niece on Christmas Eve. This is her way of letting me know that she needs to talk to me. A normal person would just call but well, I think you get my drift.
Not that I don't love my niece. I do, very much, but she has her issues. She's 33, a single mom (by choice, but I don't think she actually knows who the daddy is), claims she's been diagnosed with ADD (she always reminds me of this whenever she gets herself in a fix), and is a drama queen. She used to have a drug problem but has been clean for three years. She's not unintelligent but emotionally, she acts 14.
At least she's trying to pull herself up, though. She's going to school to learn how to fix computers, she works and appears to be making the effort to be a good mother. However, one of the things that continues to pull her down is her OWN mother, my *lovely* ex-sister-in-law. As immature as my niece is, she's even more so and plays these manipulative games with my niece and everyone else. It's really sad.
She had been helping my niece out financially but as soon as my niece does something (real or imagined ) to tick her off, she pulls the plug. I told my niece that she should make every effort to become independent from this witch as soon as possible. Yes, it's going to be tough, both emotionally and financially, but most things in life that are worthwhile are worth fighting for.
I told her that I am there for her.
After my brother and Witch got divorced, she married this guy she met at her high school reunion. I met him once, at my nephew's wedding, and don't really have a good recollection of him, one way or the other. An impression, good or bad, was not made. Well, a few years ago, he ran into some financial problems with his business. Based on what I've written, can anyone out there in the peanut gallery guess what happened next? That's right. Instead of working things through, Witch leaves Guy #2, who, I learned, committed suicide the week before Christmas.
Now Witch has shacked up with Guy #3, a Colombian *artist* of sorts (sounds more like a bullshit artist to me), who lives in a tiny apartment above someone's garage! Well, my niece tells me that HE is now having financial AND health problems and I'm just waiting for the next installment of this sagging saga. I think we all know how it ends up.
But ya know? If I have to listen to another installment, I think I may drink myself silly.
Got a picture text message on my cell phone of a sun rising from my niece on Christmas Eve. This is her way of letting me know that she needs to talk to me. A normal person would just call but well, I think you get my drift.
Not that I don't love my niece. I do, very much, but she has her issues. She's 33, a single mom (by choice, but I don't think she actually knows who the daddy is), claims she's been diagnosed with ADD (she always reminds me of this whenever she gets herself in a fix), and is a drama queen. She used to have a drug problem but has been clean for three years. She's not unintelligent but emotionally, she acts 14.
At least she's trying to pull herself up, though. She's going to school to learn how to fix computers, she works and appears to be making the effort to be a good mother. However, one of the things that continues to pull her down is her OWN mother, my *lovely* ex-sister-in-law. As immature as my niece is, she's even more so and plays these manipulative games with my niece and everyone else. It's really sad.
She had been helping my niece out financially but as soon as my niece does something (real or imagined ) to tick her off, she pulls the plug. I told my niece that she should make every effort to become independent from this witch as soon as possible. Yes, it's going to be tough, both emotionally and financially, but most things in life that are worthwhile are worth fighting for.
I told her that I am there for her.
After my brother and Witch got divorced, she married this guy she met at her high school reunion. I met him once, at my nephew's wedding, and don't really have a good recollection of him, one way or the other. An impression, good or bad, was not made. Well, a few years ago, he ran into some financial problems with his business. Based on what I've written, can anyone out there in the peanut gallery guess what happened next? That's right. Instead of working things through, Witch leaves Guy #2, who, I learned, committed suicide the week before Christmas.
Now Witch has shacked up with Guy #3, a Colombian *artist* of sorts (sounds more like a bullshit artist to me), who lives in a tiny apartment above someone's garage! Well, my niece tells me that HE is now having financial AND health problems and I'm just waiting for the next installment of this sagging saga. I think we all know how it ends up.
But ya know? If I have to listen to another installment, I think I may drink myself silly.
Well, Wet My Feet and Call Me Ducky!
Had my weekly weigh-in/body fat measurement yesterday and I was shocked to learn that I have lost 3 pounds of body fat in a little more than a week's time! My actual weight was up by 3 pounds (nutritionist said it was probably water gain from all the salty foods over the holiday) but he was more interested in the body fat number. I could not believe it. After a week? And not even sticking to the diet that diligently?
So now my body fat is at 22%, 4% away from my goal. I expected to reach my goal in say, 3 months or so. Dayam, this stuff really works.
Had another workout today with free weights and it went pretty well (this after running 9 miles with Tom in the morning!). I have to say I was a bit apprehensive about this since I haven't worked out with free weights for quite some time. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to even do a decent amount of reps with a 5-pound weight. But I was fine, even able to do 8 and 10 pound weights for the different exercises. Naturally, as I keep doing them, I will keep adding weight (up to a point). For now, though, it's fine. She wants me to be slightly sore the next day, not in horrible pain.
I have a massage tomorrow (Gee, this staying home from work could grow on me!). Really more as a therapeutic session than one for relaxation although I do enjoy them immensely. I was supposed to do two sessions after the marathon on Nov. 19 and I've only done one. I really need it as I feel the piriformis acting up again. Very annoying kind of pain. Not debilitating but a dull throb, not while I am running but when I bend over or get up from a seated position.
Working with a trainer should help to counteract some of this, so I am told. A strong core is key.
So now my body fat is at 22%, 4% away from my goal. I expected to reach my goal in say, 3 months or so. Dayam, this stuff really works.
Had another workout today with free weights and it went pretty well (this after running 9 miles with Tom in the morning!). I have to say I was a bit apprehensive about this since I haven't worked out with free weights for quite some time. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to even do a decent amount of reps with a 5-pound weight. But I was fine, even able to do 8 and 10 pound weights for the different exercises. Naturally, as I keep doing them, I will keep adding weight (up to a point). For now, though, it's fine. She wants me to be slightly sore the next day, not in horrible pain.
I have a massage tomorrow (Gee, this staying home from work could grow on me!). Really more as a therapeutic session than one for relaxation although I do enjoy them immensely. I was supposed to do two sessions after the marathon on Nov. 19 and I've only done one. I really need it as I feel the piriformis acting up again. Very annoying kind of pain. Not debilitating but a dull throb, not while I am running but when I bend over or get up from a seated position.
Working with a trainer should help to counteract some of this, so I am told. A strong core is key.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
News from the Dysfunction Junction
First of all, Merry Christmas, if anyone happens to be reading this now or on Christmas Day!
That being said, it's always Jerry Springerland when I call my niece in Houston, Texas, to check in on her. Thank God that she and her siblings have seen fit to finally divorce themselves from their toxic mother (my brother's first wife). No one said it was going to be easy but most things in life that are worthwhile are not.
That being said, since it is Christmas Eve, I'll spare you all the gory details for now. (I still haven't digested them all myself). I will revisit them later in the week but not before I've had a good night's sleep!
Tomorrow morning, I have to wake up early and bake oatmeal cookies for BF's family. Then after we exchange gifts, it's off to his son's house.
He told me not to go overboard this year being that we treated ourselves to a flat-screen TV back in November but I can't help myself. I got him:
badly needed luggage
a gift certificate for a massage
a gift certificate to our fave sports store
some tools and stuff he needs for his car
a tiny tool kit for his bicycle
new wallet
new keyfob
2007 datebook
and some other stuff I don't even remember!
He's tough to buy for. First of all, he doesn't need any more clothes. He's one of the few men I know that has more clothes than me. Not that he's a clotheshorse, he just NEVER THROWS ANYTHING OUT. A few times a year, I literally have to beg him to give away some stuff to the Salvation Army, the U.S. Vets, or other such charity or else he would not be able to close the drawers in his bureau or the closet doors.
He's a periodical and newspaper reader, not a booklover.
So, basically, I try to buy him things that he normally wouldn't buy for himself (i.e., the massage).
Well, I am off to try and fall asleep, despite all the caffeine I've had today. Maybe I'll find some Ambien in my stocking tomorrow.
That being said, it's always Jerry Springerland when I call my niece in Houston, Texas, to check in on her. Thank God that she and her siblings have seen fit to finally divorce themselves from their toxic mother (my brother's first wife). No one said it was going to be easy but most things in life that are worthwhile are not.
That being said, since it is Christmas Eve, I'll spare you all the gory details for now. (I still haven't digested them all myself). I will revisit them later in the week but not before I've had a good night's sleep!
Tomorrow morning, I have to wake up early and bake oatmeal cookies for BF's family. Then after we exchange gifts, it's off to his son's house.
He told me not to go overboard this year being that we treated ourselves to a flat-screen TV back in November but I can't help myself. I got him:
badly needed luggage
a gift certificate for a massage
a gift certificate to our fave sports store
some tools and stuff he needs for his car
a tiny tool kit for his bicycle
new wallet
new keyfob
2007 datebook
and some other stuff I don't even remember!
He's tough to buy for. First of all, he doesn't need any more clothes. He's one of the few men I know that has more clothes than me. Not that he's a clotheshorse, he just NEVER THROWS ANYTHING OUT. A few times a year, I literally have to beg him to give away some stuff to the Salvation Army, the U.S. Vets, or other such charity or else he would not be able to close the drawers in his bureau or the closet doors.
He's a periodical and newspaper reader, not a booklover.
So, basically, I try to buy him things that he normally wouldn't buy for himself (i.e., the massage).
Well, I am off to try and fall asleep, despite all the caffeine I've had today. Maybe I'll find some Ambien in my stocking tomorrow.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Christmas Carols for the Demented
1. Schizophrenia -- Do You Hear What I Hear?
2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are
3. Dementia --- I Think I'll Be Home for Christmas
4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
5. Manic -- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and....
6. Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me
7. Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire
8. Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why
9. Attention Deficit Disorder --- Silent night, Holy ... oooh look at the Froggy ... can I have a chocolate ... why is France so far away?
10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder --- Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells ...
2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are
3. Dementia --- I Think I'll Be Home for Christmas
4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
5. Manic -- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and....
6. Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me
7. Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire
8. Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why
9. Attention Deficit Disorder --- Silent night, Holy ... oooh look at the Froggy ... can I have a chocolate ... why is France so far away?
10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder --- Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells ...
Friday, December 15, 2006
Some Random Musings
This blog is really starting to look lame because it needs more photos. I will have to take care of that, won't I? Supposedly, BF's sister took a really cool picture of me holding a red umbrella in Cape Cod (so she says). I'll be seeing her this weekend so hopefully I can can borrow it to scan in.
Got my blood work back from my cardiologist and everything looks good. My LDL cholesterol could be better but my good cholesterol (the HDL) is so high (78) that she said it almost cancels out the bad. Still, I want to bring it down a mite and working with the personal trainer might do that. My blood pressure reading was 90/70...egads! (in a good way, of course!)
And yes, that is my Christmas present to myself. I am biting the bullet and have signed up for a personal trainer who will supposedly help me get my core (torso) in peak condition, thereby making me a stronger and faster runner. Also, it will help protect me against injury.
I seem to have reached a running plateau. I got down to 24:11 this past season in the 5K but just can't seem to get over the hump into 23-land. Hopefully, this program will help.
I will try to be diligent about writing about my progress here. One of the things I hope to accomplish is a reduction in body fat. Now, when I tell this to people they look at me like I have three heads because I look slim for the most part. But you have to remember that people who excel at running or other aerobic sports have very low body fat. Paul Tergat, for example, who holds the world' s record for the fastest marathon with a time of 2:04, has 4% body fat! Lance Armstrong has 9% body fat.
Now before you think that I'm comparing myself to these two, I am not! First of all, they are male and they are professional athletes. I am just making a point that one of the reasons they excel at their respective sports is because of their low body fat percentages.
The last time I had mine checked it was around 21%. Not awful, but as a female runner, it should be around 18%. That is my goal (unless my trainer tells me otherwise).
In other good news, looks like I will be getting third place USATF awards this year for both the Mini 1 and Mini 2 categories for road racing! Woohoo! I was really trying for the Mini 2 category (medium-distance races, 5 Milers, 8Ks and 10Ks) so the Mini 1 category (5ks mostly) came as a BIG surprise. I consider myself a better mid-distance runner than shorter distance runner. The awards dinner takes place in January.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Finally, A Judge Who Gets It Right
Italics are mine--Martta
Jury recommends 90-year sentence for teen in Spring pipe attack
By BRIAN ROGERSCopyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
A jury recommended today that Keith Turner be sentenced to 90 years in prison for his role in a savage attack in which a plastic pipe was kicked into the rectum of another teenager, causing severe injuries.
Turner, 17, showed no reaction as he stood and listened to the verdict.
His mother, Janis Turner, sobbed loudly upon hearing the decision.
The verdict means Turner must serve at least 30 years before he can become eligible for parole.
The jury convicted Turner of aggravated sexual assault on Friday for the April 22 attack at a residence in Spring.
Later on Friday, during the trial's sentencing phase, Turner's mother said from the witness stand that he is a loving son with a good heart, but had fallen in with a bad crowd.
"He's not a bad kid,'' Janis Turner said, sobbing. ``He's making bad choices.''
[No, Ms. Turner, he's a bad kid. Some people are just bad seeds].
Turner's 18-year-old friend, David Tuck, was sentenced to life in prison last month after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault for the same attack.
Gus Sons, 16, whose home was the site of the attack, testified that Turner had held the 1½-inch-diameter pipe in place and Tuck had kicked it deep into the unconscious victim's rectum.
The victim testified in both trials that he does not recall the attack or the day leading up to it. He said he has undergone about 30 surgeries to repair massive internal injuries.and has more to go.
Sons told jurors that he, Turner, Tuck and the 17-year-old victim had been drinking and using drugs before the attack took place.
He said Tuck knocked the victim unconscious because the group suspected that the victim had stolen some of the drugs. Sons also said his younger sister, Danielle, then 12, had accused the victim of trying to kiss her.
Sons said Tuck shouted "white power!'' while beating and kicking the Hispanic victim.
You racist piece of shit. I hope you die in prison and rot in hell!
brian.rogers@chron.com
Jury recommends 90-year sentence for teen in Spring pipe attack
By BRIAN ROGERSCopyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
A jury recommended today that Keith Turner be sentenced to 90 years in prison for his role in a savage attack in which a plastic pipe was kicked into the rectum of another teenager, causing severe injuries.
Turner, 17, showed no reaction as he stood and listened to the verdict.
His mother, Janis Turner, sobbed loudly upon hearing the decision.
The verdict means Turner must serve at least 30 years before he can become eligible for parole.
The jury convicted Turner of aggravated sexual assault on Friday for the April 22 attack at a residence in Spring.
Later on Friday, during the trial's sentencing phase, Turner's mother said from the witness stand that he is a loving son with a good heart, but had fallen in with a bad crowd.
"He's not a bad kid,'' Janis Turner said, sobbing. ``He's making bad choices.''
[No, Ms. Turner, he's a bad kid. Some people are just bad seeds].
Turner's 18-year-old friend, David Tuck, was sentenced to life in prison last month after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault for the same attack.
Gus Sons, 16, whose home was the site of the attack, testified that Turner had held the 1½-inch-diameter pipe in place and Tuck had kicked it deep into the unconscious victim's rectum.
The victim testified in both trials that he does not recall the attack or the day leading up to it. He said he has undergone about 30 surgeries to repair massive internal injuries.and has more to go.
Sons told jurors that he, Turner, Tuck and the 17-year-old victim had been drinking and using drugs before the attack took place.
He said Tuck knocked the victim unconscious because the group suspected that the victim had stolen some of the drugs. Sons also said his younger sister, Danielle, then 12, had accused the victim of trying to kiss her.
Sons said Tuck shouted "white power!'' while beating and kicking the Hispanic victim.
You racist piece of shit. I hope you die in prison and rot in hell!
brian.rogers@chron.com
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