7.26.2007

Please Welcome My New Buddy



My new buddy is named, "Forerunner." He specializes in GPS and providing me the most helpful information while I'm running. He tells me time, elevation, time running, current minutes per mile pace, split distances, total distances, routes, timers, alarms, average minutes per mile per run, etc.. I can also hook him up to my PC and upload all the running data. This data will provide trends on progression, or lack thereof, over a set period of time.

I think we're going to get along real well. He's not the most expensive friend or the cheapest kind-- he's right in the middle and most functional. I will have to warn you that he's my friend only. He will not be allowed to play with other folks. Sorry. If you'd ever like to run with me, then his info. will be good for you, too. Imagine a world of no route mapping and math, because my wrist-mounted buddy will tell me all I need to know.

I may look a little like a cyborg on my runs, but I think that's cool. I may even crack open the watch and program it to dispense Gatorade at 10 mt. intervals.

7.18.2007

13.1 and no Thoughts

I ran my usual weekend half-marathon run on Saturday and don't remember a single thought I had. I remember running, sights, smells, cars, sweating, but I don't recall thinking about a single thing. This may be a miracle. I ran for 2:02:57 and didn't think about anything. I'm either getting better at dissociating or I'm having peace not yet felt before. I'm leaning towards my serotonin levels rising and therefore the ability to relax and enjoy the moment. I could get used to something like this.

7.12.2007

OFFICE DARES (read all-- you won't be disappointed)

ONE-POINT DARES
1) Run one lap around the office at top speed.
2) Ignore the first five people who say 'good morning' to you.
3) Phone someone in the office you barely know, leave your name and say, "Just called to say I can't talk right now. Bye."
4) To signal the end of a conversation, clamp your hands over your ears and grimace.
5) Leave your zipper open for one hour. If anyone points it out, say, "Sorry, I really prefer it this way."
6) Walk sideways to the photocopier.
7) While riding in an elevator, gasp dramatically every time the doors open.

TWO POINT DARES
1) Say to your boss, "I like your style" and shoot him with double-barreled fingers.
2) Babble incoherently at a fellow employee then ask, "Did you get all that, I don't want to have to repeat it."
3) Page yourself over the intercom (do not disguise your voice).
4) Kneel in front of the water cooler and drink directly from the nozzle (there must be a 'non-player' within sight).
5) Shout random numbers while someone is counting.

FIVE POINT DARES
1) At the end of a meeting, suggest that, for once, it would be nice to conclude with the singing of the national anthem (5 extra points if you actually launch into it yourself).
2) Walk into a very busy person's office and while they watch you with growing irritation, turn the light switch on/off 10 times.
3) For an hour, refer to everyone you speak to as "Bob."
4) Announce to everyone in a meeting that you "really have to go do a number two."
5) After every sentence, say 'Mon' in a really bad Jamaican accent. As in "The report's on your desk, Mon." Keep this up for 1 hour.
6) While an office mate is out, move their chair into the elevator.
7) In a meeting or crowded situation, slap your forehead repeatedly and mutter, "Shut up, all of you just shut up!"
8) At lunchtime, get down on your knees and announce, "As God as my witness, I'll never go hungry again."
9) In a colleague's DAY PLANNER, write in the 10am slot: "See how I look in tights."(5 Extra points if it is a male, 5 more if he is your boss)
10) Carry your keyboard over to your colleague and ask, "You wanna trade?"
11) Repeat the following conversation 10 times to the same person: "Do you hear that?" "What?" "Never mind, it's gone now."
12) Come to work in army fatigues and when asked why, say, "I can't talk about it."
13) Posing as a maitre d', call a colleague and tell him he's won a lunch for four at a local restaurant. Let him go.
14) Speak with an accent (French, German, Porky Pig, etc) during a very important conference call.
15) Find the vacuum and start vacuuming around your desk.!
16) Hang a 2' long piece of toilet roll from the back of your pants and act genuinely surprised when someone points it out.
17) Present meeting attendees with a cup of coffee and biscuits, smashing each biscuit with your fist.
18) During the course of a meeting, slowly edge your chair towards the door.
19) Arrange toy figures on the table to represent each meeting attendee, move them according to the movements of their real-life counterparts.
And if that wasn't enough for you...

How to keep a healthy level of insanity:
1) At lunchtime, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
2) Tell your children over dinner. "Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."
3) Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
4) Put your waste basket on your desk and label it "IN".
5) Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over his or her caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6) Finish all your sentences with "In accordance with the prophecy."
7) Don't use any punctuation
8) Use, too...much; punctuation!
9) As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
10) Ask people what sex they are. Laugh hysterically after they answer.
11) Specify that your drive-through order is "to go."
12) Sing along at the opera.
13) Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
14) Put mosquito netting around your work area. Play a tape of jungle sounds all day.
15) Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood.
16) Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name, "Rock Hard."
17) When the money comes out of the ATM, scream "I Won! I Won! 3rd time this week!!!"
18) When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot yelling, "Run for your lives, they're loose!"

And the final way to keep a healthy level of insanity....
19) Send this to everyone in your address book, even if they sent it to you or have asked you not to send them stuff like this.

7.03.2007

July 4th, 1990

A couple friends came and pulled me out of my studio apartment to go to some 4th of July party. My mom was in the hospital, so I was pretty bummed. I ask my friends who's going to be at the party and they said some girl named, "Mindy", that they wanted me to meet. I didn't want to and especially didn't want to be setup on a blind date. Two very bad things for me: parties with lots of people & being obligated to talk with strange girls-- bad, bad, bad.

Got introduced to about 5 girls coming into the party house. Everyone seemed a little peppy for me, but I drudged on. Shook Mindy's hand, but didn't make eye-contact because eye-contact has always been a hard thing for me to do. I later found out that I didn't make a very good impression on Mindy. She thought I was distant and cocky. Boy was she wrong. ;>)

We played board games (another thing on my list of bad things to do) and I noticed that Mindy was pretty outspoken about women's rights and such. I don't know how/when it happened, but she ended up in the chair next to me. What caught my eye were her big green eyes. She talked really fast and I liked talking to her.

We left the house to go see fireworks. In the car, I asked her if she believed in God. She said, "Yes." The fireworks were at another house that overlooked Reno. We shared a blanket as it got a little chilly. Mindy and I went into the house to use the restroom. When I came out, she was waiting for me. That was special to me. She believed in God and had a sweet spirit-- doesn't get any better than that.

I've been with Mindy from that day on. Mindy is good people. Loyal as they come. Nurturing like none other. Patient. Helps. She is a precious gem. A beautiful flower. My best friend.

I love you, Mindy. The last 17 years have flown by. I'm looking forward to many more with you.