Cake, Squats and A Cat's Life

The week started a bit rough... I wasn't feeling good, the rain had no end in sight and a piece of red velvet cake made me so ill on Monday I wanted to throw up, but could not. I have a very strong aversion to vomiting... probably why I will never succumb to bulimia in the traditional sense.

Tuesday's PT session found me working with the trainer after my round with the PT... he had me work on lunges and squats. My thighs hurt so bad today, because I also went running twice yesterday, that I could only manage a third of a mile running today and did the rest speed walking and the trainer told me he wasn't going to torture me with anything else today.

But working from home, while I am more than beginning to loathe it and feel very much like a hermit, has some interesting sides. My cats, for example... in order that they are not lying on my keyboard and traipsing on the table where there just isn't the room for them, they must have a chair right next to mine... and I would say that at most times of the day, it is occupied. Many times, with a paw resting on my thigh. Also interesting is that in the 2.5 weeks I've been home, there have been no instances of Flying Spaghetti Monsters... apparently, they are not inclined to wreak their special brand of havoc on kitties when humans are present.... despite the absence of the FSM, Vinnie is still mindful of the ceiling fan and, I've learned, spends most of the day under the bed.

Is it Friday, yet?

It's been a long week... today feels like it should be Friday, but given the amount of work on my plate, it's probably good that it isn't. The good news is that I put together and met the deadline I said I would for the first major milestone in my big project.... in between all the other projects and being pulled in 12 directions. Ah, if only I were gumby some days. Still, for my first week working from home, an amazingly large amount of work has been done, and in an amazing number of hours for it already being Thursday.

Since I was home this week, I did the test run on tranquilizers for the trip to PA... not for me, though that isn't a half bad idea, but rather, kitties. Now that the concern for bad side effects has been alleviated, and I have been slightly amused by the ordeal, I can check it off my list and move on.

This was also to be my last day of physical therapy today... but as I explained to the PT that the pain seemed to have moved from the back side of my hip to the top front side and she checked the area out and well, the pain was more intense than getting inked on the shin bone... and there may still be finger marks in the table I was lying on. In fact, I still hurt somewhat and am due to ice soon. Ice and then bed.., I am determined to get up and go running (or speed walking, depending on pain level) before I start work tomorrow. I did this Monday and it was terrific.... and then the rain. Tomorrow morning, I go rain or shine.

Where time ends...

Looking back, it's hard to believe that it has been over a week now since I've posted. Surely, there have been many a thing happening worthy of mention... but I forget all the relevant items. Mom came into town on Wednesday, which really explains where I have been; there has not been a whole lot of time to really sit down and write anything... we went shopping, to the Art Fair, cooked, went out for dinner, went to Monroe, watched a movie, moved a loveseat and table out to the trash, visited my garden, Farmers Market and generally just visited. It was a nice time and since she left this morning, I've gardened, did 5K worth of speed walking and very little jogging, made my 500th trip to Target, baked and cleaned. Now, I'm tired.

In the last week, I also started physical therapy. Seems that strained hip from the Avon 2-Day walk has not gotten any better. And I am really beginning to question a form of medical intervention that causes more pain. Thursday was my third session, and I left in some amount of aggitation to the afflicted area. By 5 p.m. I was physically ill from pain. I downed a few Tylenol and did some stretching, then went out for a walk with mom. I was sleeping by 730 on the floor and in bed by 830.

PT also provides you with exercises to do daily. What they fail to understand, no matter how much I tell them, is that this isn't new to me. The name for it might not be the same as what I call it, but once I learned what they wanted me to do, it was a no brainer. Try to do 2 sets of 10 they said, and if you can, do 30 total. I did 50 and still had no difficulty, no tiring, nothing they said would be an indicator to stop. Thursday, she said, OK I want you to walk at a normal pace on the treadmill for 5-10 minutes... no incline. Do at least 5, but 10 if you can handle it. I truly do not think they understand that despite this injury, I am very active and I am very good at not letting myself feel the pain. I've explained this in a few different ways. I've explained that I have spent the last 2 years training for marathon distance walks plus and have had personal trainers at least once a year to consult with and that I work out sometimes hours at a time... and they just nod and say yeah, okay, so can you walk at least 10 minutes a day? Very frustrating.

Aside from that bit of aggravation that will continue for at least the next 3 weeks; I did manage to splurge and buy myself a very sweet Wonder Woman purse at the Art Fair. Basically it is a box with handles and has vintage images of Wonder Woman from comics, promos featuring Lynda Carter, and other paraphenilia. A bit pricey, but entirely worth it.

On that note, I shall return later... possibly even this evening. In the meantime, I have yet to eat lunch and it is coming on dinner time.

A little trip to the vet

Saturday I embarked on an experience which I hope to not relive anytime soon. All kitties to the vet for vaccines and general check up before moving... we are talking a combined weight of approximately 85 lbs. Now, I'd say I'm in pretty good shape; my resting heartrate most days is right about 60, I workout regularly, but in the 10 minutes that it took to get the boys downstairs and into the car must have gotten my heartrate up higher than any elliptical, treadmill or running trail I've met in sometime.

Long story made short, as I am standing at the counter to pay for the aforementioned services, with blood dripping from my neck, my toenails torn, a fingernail ripped in half, covered in cat urine, scrapped, scratched, bruised and the thought of having to get them all back in the car and then drive home and get them upstairs rolling in my head, the receptionist looks at me all perky smiles and asks if it was worth it to bring them all in at once. What I wanted to say was: Are you fucking kidding me? But, instead, I handed over my credit card, smiled and said nothing.

I don't know if it was worth it or not, but it is over in one fell swoop. Admittedly, I wouldn't do it again without some help and really, at this point in my life, that means that no, I wouldn't do it again. And now, with Calvin sleeping on the desk (where he's not supposed to be), head propped up by some pencils and snoring like mad it is time to finish dinner and get ready for tomorrow.

A week in retro

Been a crazy-ass week and thank the schema of time that means tomorrow is Friday. And, as I see it, I desperately need a weekend. Today I finally made it to the gym, it's bad when even that release gets bypassed in lieu of meeting a deadline--or 10. I did learn today one of my benefits is research services, and they will actually help with apartment searching. The time slipped away to call today, but I am tomorrow for sure, just in case...

Tonight though, I made an effort to not stay absurdly late at work, and I came home after the gym and after a run to Fed Ex, and had some dinner, played with the cats and my new phone, made cookies, painted my nails, took a long shower, and now the Starter Wife is concluding for another week and I'm thinking about heading to bed... hoping that terrible and torrential night sweats pass me by tonight.

I'm also hoping that I can erase the conversation I overheard while prepping to get on the treadmill tonight... two women in their mid to late 60s were discussing their kidney stones. I could not turn my iPod on fast enough or loud enough... but when your gym is the county rec center, you get that from time to time--the same way men old enough to be my grandfather hit on me. The one today told me I didn't need to wipe down the treadmill cause "honey you look good enough, I don't mind." Ewww.

Then, there is the mulching police at the garden. SK beared witness to this phenom when she came by to help weed on Tuesday night. Cell phone guy from the plot nearby stopped by to again recommend mulching... and why I should. Moisture and all, you know. It's going to be a long summer if I don't mulch... but now I almost don't want to out of sheer contempt for the comments.

And on that note, it is nighty-night time.

Ambiguities, Anteaters and other things that are not related to the letter A

Part one: Ambiguities

To say astrology is, at best, ambigious seems to be rather redundant. But allow me to paint a picture: I get home from work, clean up a hairball, put my iPod on the charger, put my lunch stuff away, go into the bathroom, clean up another hairball and sit down to read my horoscope for the day, because apparently, it is only delivered via email after most of my day has past... to which it reads thusly...

Well, what was that? Frankly, you can't believe your eyes or your ears. But
after the initial shock wears off, you'll just have to laugh. Everyone has their
own way of dealing with things, and this definitely isn't yours!

I believe, wholeheartedly that this is a very circular horoscope and making any sense of it is really not possible. What I do find striking is that at least it matches in recieving it at the latter part of the day.

Part two: Anteaters

Today it was suggested to me that to allievate the ant problem I have in my garden, I should obtain and utilize an anteater. Shortly after this suggestion, SK was called in to perform some G2 gathering on this seemingly realistic approach to organic gardening.... and after dashing the hopes of this plan working, suggested several other alternatives... non nearly as exciting, but several on par with feeding a pigeon an alka seltzer. My mother, however, being rational and such merely suggested hiesting an anteater from the zoo... which obviously makes more sense than saving coffee grounds. Additional G2 may be required.

Part three: other things that are not related to the letter A

Officially, my time for the 5k yesterday was 40:17. Now, I have something to beat for the next time. Competitive? I know I will never be the one coming in with a time of 15 minutes or less, but if I could get to around 34 eventually, I think that would be sweet.

And in one of those things that make you stop and go... hmmm...Reuters reports today on how "mooing" ringtones, among other sounds, like sheep, etc. are being used to lure leopards that have infiltrated Indian villiages in the state of Gujarat. If nothing else, check out the article for the super awesome picture of a leopard playing on a tire swing.

That's it. I'm out.

Blame it on endorphins

Much, much earlier on a Sunday morning than should ever be the case, I was up, out the door and on my way to the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run. I signed up a while ago for the 5K fully intending to run it. During the 2-Day, I strained my knee and hip. The knee has healed, the hip, as I reported last Tuesday, was reinflamed with Tuesday's jaunt on the treadmill. I anticipated I would not be running today... but as it turned out, I ran about half of the 5K route. The 2-Day prepped me well for the hills, and all I coulf think is that those doing the marathon or half marathan had to finish UPHILL... really, quite cruel. That said, I am in pain but not as bad as I thought it would be given how much it really did hurt to run--especially toward the end. I just could not help myself; adrenline and competition took hold and thankfully, so did a lot of endorphins (which apparently can make one stupid).

What suprised me though, was that I enjoyed the running. I hate it when I'm on a treadmill or in the park by myself, but in the atmosphere of a few thousand people doing the same, it was kind of fun. Yeah, that's right, it was humid as all hell, I was soaked through with sweat, but it was fun. I came across the finish line somewhere about 40 minutes.... not a great time, but I was happy with it. I'll have to wait for the official times to be posted, but it was just in time to miss running in the rain as it was just a few minutes after I came in and finished 2 bottles of water that it poured. It cleared up for a while and I got some coffee, and enjoyed the Taste of Ann Arbor--again leaving just before a torrential downpour.

Now, the laundry has been laundered, I worked on cleaning out my closet some more, the apartment vaccuumed, dishes put away, the canteloupe cut up for the week and now, it is time to curl up in the big chair in my jammies and read. I suspect, having been up at 5:45 this morning, an early bedtime is in store.

Mahalo.

5K, PA and the Season Finale of House

A go on the treadmill tonight proved the inevitable--I will not be able to run in this Sunday's Dexter-Ann Arbor 5K... Running only re-strained the muscle that I strained during the 2-Day. Happily, my knee seems to have recovered. I will walk the 5K, check out the Taste of Ann Arbor and with any luck, find another 5K once I'm completely healed. Perhaps it will be a good challenge once I move.

Oh, yes, "the move." I believe I have now told everyone, officially, that I will be moving to Philadelphia this September. I was at the office there last week for a meeting (or 20) and managed to also find time to look at some apartments and get the low-down on microbrews of the area from the bartender who felt that was the most important information on a relo to the area. Others were far more helpful.

I remember when I first started watching House, I watched because I can't help but oogle Omar Epps... now with the season finale aired (sorry if you TiVo and haven't watched yet), but the House team has all been fired or quit. The suggestion here is no more Omar Epps... but after a few years, I'd much rather Hugh Laurie... not entirely attractive physically, his character is entirely sexy--brash and intelligent... what more does one really need? Did I mention he rides a motorcycle? If only he gets a tattoo in the next season...

Airport Entertainment and Getting Home

Well, I made it back from my travels Friday night--very late. But you know the nice thing that NorthWest does for you when they have delayed your flight is entertain you. Yes, the same folks that brought you the mechanics strike, among others, can't seem to get their plane fixed, so they play musical gates. Gate 2 at Reagan National was originally what we were to depart from... and after moving to Gate 5 via the board, we get to Gate 5 only to have the attendant there yell at us that even though the Board said it was our gate we needed to be at 2... meanwhile, over at Gate 2, the attendant is making an overhead announcement that our flight will be departing from Gate 5... now these gates are not more than 50 feet from each other, so the attendants begin to yell across the terminal at each other. Within 1o minutes, we were back at Gate 2... then 5 before we FINALLY departed over an hour later, from gate 3. I feel bad, we never utilized Gate 4. So the flight is delayed though no fault of anyone holding a boarding pass, we've been shuffled from gate to gate for over an hour and the attendant, who decided at some point it made more sense to shout from the door rather than use the speaker, began to tell us that we needed to HURRY UP and board... and that the plane, while still containing enough seat-age, was not as large as the scheduled plane, so if someone is in your seat, take another open one, if your seat no longer exists, just sit someplace and do it QUICKLY. The tone obviously implying this was all our fault.

But here's the thing... once they annouced the Southwest type seating, about 10-15 people within hearing distance shoved forward... I was nearly crushed!! So once on the plane, it became ever apparent that the attendant out in the terminal had not communicated her strategy for boarding and seating with the attendants on the INSIDE of the plane... who wanted all those with no seats (rows 23-26) to just stand in the back of the plane while everyone else boarded. I being in one of those rows, just sat down, as did 2 others and we filled up our row, much to the attendant's dismay... so she ran to the front of the plane in the midst of the meyhem to tell us all how SHE wanted this situation handled. A few seconds later, the original instruction giver appeared and yelled at those standing in the back to just sit somewhere... all in all, very entertaining.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out who the hell the guy in the terminal standing next to me was and chatting me up like he knew me was... I became convinced that I must have gone out with him once or twice... that was until take off... and it became clear that he was my former Master's advisor with whom I couldn't ever get a response or agreement from... And, I would have gone back up after the seatbelt sign had been turned off except I would have had to crawl over the Phelgm Phactory that was sitting next to me and apparently was unaware of the advent of Kleenex. He was lucky I didn't have nail clippers and a file on me--I'd have had to kill him.

Fortunately, my bags were not searched at Reagan... and I only had a 90 year old woman in front of me--FOLDING everything she put into the bin. Yes, she got it all nicely into the bin, and then went through the whole body gloucoma test and magnets, but failed to actually put her bins on the conveyor... It was still early, I had no idea of the delay ahead of me... I was nice and shoved them through while the guy with X-ray vision glared at me suspiciously.

And I made it home without a homocide under my garter. The cats were not amused. They were out of kibble and had destroyed the bag of treats... gutted it like it was a gazelle on the Sahara. I think they wanted me to think that SK had done the damage while she was over on Thursday checking on them... but had she done the said deed, BOTH sides of the bag would not have been torn apart; thereby clearly giving them away.

But the weather has been good and the kitties, while not quite forgiving my absence have had almost 24-hour access to the balcony--even if it was too hot out there today (obviously my fault). Yesterday, I did a 21 mile training walk with a fellow walker who was in town for the weekend. It was good, we finished in 6.5 hours... and I learned a few adjustments will need to be made--I'm not happy about learning this so late in the game, but at least I didn't realize it on the walk.

Speaking of the walk... my 522 mile challenge to train that many miles by May 1 was met on April 18... as of today, I have trained 571 miles. It feels good, even if today was the first day I was sore... like I said, a few adjustments to the new gear are needed!

On becoming a hula champ and other Friday endeavors

By this morning, I was up to a full minute on the hula hoop, and by this evening, the skills are coming fast... I'm up to about 2 minutes. I love the challenge of it.

The cats are less afriad of it now, having managed to turn it into some kind of spotlight by which to be admired. All except Vinnie, who eyes it with suspicion, but not as much suspicion he reserves for the ceiling fans. And Bowie, who, as it was falling from my last hula round swiped it with his paw, and pulled it into the papazan chair so he could lick and bite it.

I've had an idea in my head for a painting for about 3 weeks, so I took the time today to put it to canvas... or at least start to. It is far more formal of an abstract than I've done in the past and therefore took some thinking, sketching and a lot of thought about whether I still could color in the lines. And, I'm very happy with how it has come along so far. There is a poem in that painting when it is done... I can feel it, and for me, that it a good sign.

Took some mental health time today, and it has made a world of difference. It has felt good to be at home by 4 rather than just getting home right about NOW... I got in a decent workout--nothing extreme or lengthy, just about 45 minutes... did some grocery shopping... ran an errand and came home to make dinner. An actual dinner, cooked in the oven... tomorrow will be cleaning and a much bigger workout before my brother arrives. I'm excited to see and spend some time with him this weekend.