Hello Old Friend

This past weekend I picked three very lucky recipes out of the recipe bowl. You know I speak so frequently about this bowl, I think I'll go take a picture.

Now, where is the camera?

Ah yes, in the fanny pack for walking. What? Isn't that where you put your camera?

DOH, no card. Where's the card? Why would the card not be in the camera? Oh yah, it's in the Pink Laptop.

Right, okay back to the picture. Anyhow, as you can see the bowl is really an oversized brandy snifter (and oh my god - dirty - ick).

Anyhow, this past weekend I chose three lucky little recipes to make this week. The first was the Spanish Chicken and Rice. While one of my favorite recipes, I must not have been paying attention while cooking because it didn't turn out so good. Still good, but not as good as I remember. Hmmm, makes me wonder if my "favorite" is another recipe? Huh! The second recipe was Steak Teriyaki. Good, but I over did the ginger on it.

So the last was Spicy Szechwan Chicken. ZOMG so good. First, it wasn't spicy. Second, it was, OMG so good. Did I already say that? I tried, I honestly tried to follow the recipe. But see I have this birth defect (thanks Mom) that causes me to "change it up" as I cook. This particular case wasn't so much as me adding things as it was I didn't have the "correct" ingredients so I improvised. Which if you check out my "other" blog, you'll see what I mean.

The point to this entire blog, yes there is a point - albeit probably not a great point, is this weekend's shopping trip was to Central Market.

I had made a habit of Sunday morning trips to Central Market for grocery shopping. I don't find their prices any higher than any other place. The store is laid out PERFECTLY, and smartly. I stop at Starbuck's for my elixir of life, then cross the parking lot to shop. I generally have a list and generally take my time. It's a glorious trip. My sanctuary, every Sunday.

Then I started training for the 3Day - which by the way is going great, thanks for asking. That meant that Saturday was for walking and Sunday was for all the things I didn't do Saturday. And somehow shopping never made that list. I missed my trips to Central Market. So this past Sunday I revived my spirit and went. It was like coming home. It was like visiting a long lost friend. It so reminded me I need a life.

PS - The Spicy Szechwan Chicken was DELICIOUS!

Thanks for Stopping by...now leave!

XXXCrush stopped by in my dream last night. He and his arrogant self stopped by to inform me he was moving to Colorado but before he left he'd help me water my tomatoes.

What? I can't explain dreams.

I can, however, control them. Way...Back...When...in college I took part in a dream study. It was $100 for a three month study. $100 was a lot to a beer depraved college student. I, of course, immediately too the money and bought beer paid mom off. More importantly the study was to see if we could control our dreams.

I have a very personal, close relationship with my dreams and generally remember them. I even think I dream in color, but that can be argued. Anyhow, after several months I was able to control what happened in a dream. If I didn't like the dark shadowy path I was wondering down, I'd tell myself to take a left and it'd be all sunshine and bunnies.

Lately I've been watching The War by Ken Burns. I'm not a huge WWII fan, but I am a European history fan. And while I realize, thanks for pointing it out, that this film is the US side of the house, there's a lot of history to be seen/heard about in this film. I just finished disc 3 last night. I did 5 hours of disc 1 and 2 on Sunday night. Consequently I'm dreaming about WWII. I'm not actually in the war, but rather a by stander floating above it watching it.

Last night I was yelling at some soldier to not go in a building. I can remember consciously thinking he'll die if he goes in. But if I dream of something else, he won't. So I switched gears. I didn't think about the XXXCrush, it just happened. I just wanted to dream about anything else, but this poor kid potentially dying.

Anyhow, if you've not seen this film and you're a fan of history, I highly recommend it. It really is quite well done and WOW the things I'm learning.

Thanks Easter Bunny! Brahck! Brahck!

Happy Easter everyone. I'm celebrating the day in a not so traditional way. I'm having Spanish Chicken and Rice for dinner. YUM! It's a recipe I've mastered over the years and I thought it sounded delicious for today. It's all wet and drippy outside, so it's the perfect comfort food.

It's been a long and very enjoyable weekend. We got Friday off for Good Friday. Not a common holiday I don't think to have off here in the US, but I'm not complaining. Our UK compadres had Friday and will have Monday off. Which means work will be Q-U-I-E-T! Yay Quiet!

Friday I hung out at home and did homebody stuff like cleaning and watching really bad afternoon TV. Then BigBro showed up and we managed to walk 5 miles (5.18 to be exact) around the lovely hood. It was a nice little walk and so glad I got out.

Then Saturday, we had no "team" walk planned so I figured I could go out on my own. The sun was shining, and the route BigBro and I took Friday could be altered to stop at a Starbuck's. So off I went. Before I went though, I decided to try those 5 hour Energy shot thingys. After gagging it down, berry flavored my butt, I sat and patiently waited for it to kick in. I knew that 10 miles would take me 4 hours give or take, so I took it about 30 minutes before I planned on walking. Within minutes I was hopping up cleaning stuff, and feeling very energized. Strapping on the shoes, I was off. Shin splints be damned, I couldn't stop. I felt so much energy it was quite frightening and I couldn't help but wonder if that was what being on crack was like. I managed 10 miles with a 15 minute stop at a Starbucks to rest and do other things. I didn't end up getting ANY coffee because I didn't think my heart could stand it.

I made it home in what I considered record time for a 10 mile walk and realized I had to get ready to go to a friends house for a spring gathering. Hopping in the shower I was still all jittery. It was as if I had several shots of espresso (but it tasted worse). Off to The Newlyweds for a spring festival. My hands were shaking, I was talking 50 MPH, and I couldn't sit still. I drank gallons of water hoping that would help. Then a glass or two, or three of wine. Then as if a clock chimed inside, I hit a wall. I could barely stand and realized that apparently the 5 hr energy had finally wore off. I didn't feel like myself, but felt like I had run a marathon. Deciding to pack it in for the evening, I managed to make it home and fell into bed and asleep with no effort. 12 hours later I awoke to Easter. TWELVE HOURS! I never sleep that long.

Moral of the story, I wouldn't recommend the 5 hour energy drink unless you plan on being busy and full of energy for 6+ hours. I took it at noon and by 7 it wore off. I guess I got my bang for my buck.

On another front, I'm not sure I mentioned that the old computer completely died. Stupid me didn't take my 1200 recipe database off the old computer. And now I can't seem to get it to run without over-writing the hard drive altogether. Which means adios to that database. So on a whim, I thought I'd try to load the recipe software I've been using on my new pink Vista machine. The company who made this lovely recipe software said it won't run on Vista, so I didn't bother. Well, guess what...it does! Yes mam. It does! I spent a good part of today already fishing through the printed recipes I have and see that only about 300 aren't printed. That's a lot, but not as bad as I thought. So now I've started the long process of inputting them all into the new database. And yes, I'm backing this one up (on my new pink external hard drive of course).

So with that, I have recipes to enter. Which of course makes me hungry. Maybe I'll have an early dinner tonight.

WooF!

No really. It's official. I have no life. I'm the worlds biggest dork. And OMG I'm in love.

As I sit at home tonight I decided to watch a few reruns I had taped. You won't believe me when I tell you I watched this again.

Hang on! There's no way you watched that entire preview that quickly.

Go Back.

Watch it again!

And Again.

Right, now you see what I'm talking about.

Oh.

My.

God.

I'm so in love with this car. I swear to Dog I was sitting, again, on the edge of my seat with the remote control in my hand. Fast forwarding to the car scenes. Stopping. Drooling. Fast forwarding. Rinse, lather, repeat.

I think I might need a cold shower.

What? As if you didn't drool! I must go now. I need to go stalk a car.

By the way, in case you're wondering, and you know you are, this is a Shelby GT 500KR. 540 HP 5.4 L Supercharged V8. WOOF!

I try to discover, A little something to make me sweeter

PMDude marvels, yes I said marvels, at my ability to come up with what he calls bad songs and get them stuck in my head. Random songs too that really don't have anything to do with whatever the conversation is, but something that is said reminds me of a song.

Case in point, the title of this blog. I was recounting a story - which I'll recount shortly - to a friend via email, and for some reason this song popped in my head. The video should come with a warning: "Serious 80's Ahead - Proceed with caution."

As if you need yet another example, or look into my mind, yesterday PMDude said I was a dreamer. So what song popped in my head? This one. What? Didn't you think of that? The best part, it got stuck in his head.

Right. The story.

So a couple of weeks ago when BigBro took us on the 9+ mile walk through the streets of Seattle, I craved a Dairy Queen blizzard later that evening. And by "crave" I mean, I could NOT get the thought out of my head. It's nagged at me and nagged at me like a little door knocker being overused in my head.

I did, of course, what any person training for a 60 mile walk would do. I hopped in the car, reset the mile clocker thingy-ma-bob, and hit the road. 1.5 miles later I was at Dairy Queen. Waiting not so patiently in the freakin line for my blizzard. Actually, I should state the line wasn't long, but all the rejects from the DQ world are sent to this particular store to "take their time" making ice cream joy. Anyhow, on the way home I thought, "Wow, just 3 miles to DQ. I could walk there. Get my blizzard. And walk back with little to no guilt."

Speaking of guilt, this song popped in my head. It's a curse. I know.

What is...116 and 13 years of goodness?

Why, my weekend in review of course.

116 is the total number of training miles I've clocked since January. BigBro and I walked somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 miles. There's some difference between his pedometer and mine, so I'm guessing on this. I was tired and I could feel the walk in the back of my right knee. But significant stretching, lots of water and a little nap, I was good to go.

Then as if that wasn't enough, I got up - not early by any stretch of the imagination, which I'll get into in a bit, and I walked 5 more miles today.

Its amazing to me to think that I walked 10 miles. In December of last year if you would have asked me that, I never would have imagined myself getting out and pounding the pavement. The funny thing now is, walking a mile, or two, or three just seems silly. Simply no effort really, and doesn't really tire me out. At 6 miles, I can start to feel it. I definitely need to consider stretching some more during the walk. Somewhere between 6 and 9 miles I think I need a little break. I was hurting by the time we hit BigBro's house yesterday, which I'll blame on a lack of water and stretching. But if I were to stop and rest for 5 minutes I think I would have felt good.

After a long, hot shower, a quick little nap, I dressed myself to go celebrate 13 years of Dudley Manlove goodness. They combined St. Patty's dat with their celebration, and not once last night did they mention their anniversary. No big I guess. I've been going to their shows for 10 years now. Which is hard to believe, but it's true. It's been fun watching them change their songs up and add a few opening acts here and there.

Their "opening act" last night was, well, not all that. In fact, I had to video tape them because no one would believe me if I told them it was an Irish Folk band. Now for the theme of St. Patty's day, they fit. Dudley fans, they did not fit.



Aside from the opening act, VikingGirl and Mark/Vanessa joined. HikerGirl and her new man bailed on us. Hmph! VikingGirl was a Dudley virgin and had her reservations when she saw the Haggis Brothers. Her eyebrow shot up with a very questioning tone in it. But by the end of the night, she was officially a Dudley Fan. My work here is done.

Dudley went into the old Dudley coffers and pulled out some of their very old songs that they've done for years. Songs like, What's New Pussy cat?(Tom Jones), Me and Mrs Jones (not my favorite song, but I love Paul's voice when he sings it. Incidentally, Mr. Michael Buble does a pretty damn good job too.), If Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot) - Dudley speeds this one up quite a bit too, and even Joey Scarbough's Greatest American Hero theme. (Shut up! You know you know the words to that song.)

December 1963 is one of my FAVORITE songs. Yes, it's a Franki Valli song, but it's fun and really quite nasty if you understand the lyrics.

The crowd exploded when Dudley did this song. With the flashy lights and the sounds of people talking, it totally reminded me of prom. If you listen closely, you can hear the entire crowd singing along. ( And the distortion in the sound would me and my dumbness. I discovered the microphone on my camera is right where I put my finger to hold the camera. So it sorta covered it part of the time. Sorry. I'll do better next time.) And you can't see it very well in the video, but Paul was holding up a lighter...ahhh memories. We did notice no one else in the crowd really had lighters, but we all had cell phones.

And finally, they closed their show with their standard closer, Suspicious Minds. We were up on a balcony watching the show this time - actually thankful we weren't down front - so from up above, I thought it was fun to watch the entire crowd bounce at the same time.

And my destination makes it worth the while; Pushing through the darkness still another mile

You get big kudos if you know what song that's from. You'd have to be alive and functioning in the 70's to appreciate it. PMDude will just roll his eyes at the song choice. (Can we say Holy Lip Syncing?)

Right! So....

Friday couldn't have come at any better time. Man what a week. Firs week in the new office has proven to be most pleasant though. PMDude might be questioning wanting to "office-mate" up with me since I'm not afraid to share all the random thoughts and songs that pop into my head now. He'll survive!

Speaking of surviving, I spent a significant time last night sending letters out requesting donations. I've been very tempted to not send to a few people I have in my linked in list because I've not actually corresponded with them for some time. They were all people who have played a significant role in my career development - positively or negatively doesn't matter. Some were friends once, but life and lack of desire from their part to stay in contact with me has put them in the "no need to contact" list. Still, I sent the letters. I caveatted it with the fact I was putting shame aside and hitting anyone and everyone to help find a cure. And with that....

HUGE SHOUT OUTS TO ....

Former CatShack boss and his two fantastic little dogs Punch and Sulli. You Rock! As do your dogs. I had no idea your dogs were so financially secure.

For shizzle R.Tizzle....Despite the fact you're an Oregon DUCK A HUGE THANK YOU for your donation!

D - "The Topic is..." THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! We really should keep in touch more.

These donations have put me at a kick ass $1230 in donations ... and it's only March.

I also sent an email to all of work personnel too. Stressful! My god, hitting send was hard. I'm not a big fan of sending emails to "all" at work. No bites there yet, but I'm sure there are a few who will donate.

I also sent an email to the boys of Dudley Manlove. Well, one boy anyhow. Also stressful. I played the "I've been coming to see you all for 10 years now..." card. I requested if they would consider our team setting up a booth at one of their shows and collecting donations. And in lieu of that, donating themselves. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath. But so far, every single person who has donated to me has shocked me with their generosity. And I mean "shocked" in a good way, not in a finger in the light socket sort of way.

I had several topics to discuss today, but they've all seemed to have left my little pea brain. As soon as I hit publish I'll remember. So maybe I'll hit save and see if that works. Hold on.

Nope...nothing.

BigBro and I are "planning" on 9-10 miles tomorrow. It's dependent on the weather. Sounds funny maybe, but I have no desire to walk 10 miles (3 hours) in pouring rain. I bought some mole skin today to put on the blister point on the bottom of my foot. One would think that one's foot would be calloused enough now by one's commitment to walking. But NoooOOOoooo! This is not my foot for the record, but this is what it'll look like tomorrow.

This morning something wonderful happened. I found that all the clothing I had that fit was dirty. Okay well not ALL of it, but the stuff I like to wear. With horror I realized I had to go to the "other" side of the closet. All women know of that side. The side in which clothes you one day want to fit back into live. Yah, so I pulled a pair of pants out that fit, but were a tad uncomfortable to wear (too tight in the waste). I was again "shocked" when they fit and were loose. YeeHAW! This walking thing is sure helping in the clothing department.

BTW iTunes bugs the !#$%^& out of me. It is my nemesis. I moved over my songs from the old computer and apparently a few of the songs were authorized already on up to 5 computers. I deauthorized all the songs, and yet they won't play. Discussing this madness with iTunes they said, so sorry, those songs were bought using a different account ...IF I could get to that computer I could deauthorize the songs. Right. Like I can remember which computer in my past has those songs on it. So, smart girl that I am, I thought "I'll show you iTunes." and I pulled out all the back up cds I had made. Hah...so there. Well, except NONE of those blasted songs made it to the back up CDs. iTunes: 1 Jenn: 0! There are about 250 songs lost. Some I think I have on other CDs I've burned, but not all. GRRRRR!

Um....WTF?

And this from PhotoGirl today.

I'm not even sure how to comment on it. I'm, (how do you say?), speechless.

That would be Miss Ambassador to you!

No need to courtesy. No need to bow. I'll still be the same old Jenn. Just an ambassador. I'll be signing autographs later.

Earlier this week I was contacted by what appears to be the PR firm for the 3Day. Through web searches they found my blog and read all the wonderful and motivational things I've written about the 3day and my journey. From there they thought I'd be an excellent ambassador for the 3day. They were looking for walkers who would be willing to share their story with the media. Newspapers, TV, radio apparently look to interview participants about the event, and I quote, "bringing it to life these Ambassadors are our best resource." I filled out their form, and waited patiently for an "approval". I wasn't sure if I was applying for it and it had to be reviewed, or if it was a sure thing. I chose to not write about it at the time for fear of jinxing it. And yes, I am that powerful.

So today, I got an email back from them welcoming me as an ambassador. I'm royal. I think.

Anyhow, it's quite a nifty little set up they have. They have online tools that help with getting media coverage, and tips for interviewing etc. As I was reviewing their stuff I thought, hah, this is just the thing to do for when the Saving 2nd Base team decides to do a fundraising event. We can call the media. Get the coverage for the 3day and maybe get more donations to find a cure. Everyone loves a good human interest story. I'd like to be sure we can give them a happy ending too and eradicate breast cancer (or all cancer for that matter).

The best part of the email from this PR rep was as follows: "I suspect you won’t be shy about sharing your story since you’re so open about it on your blog." Who me?

Now if you'll excuse me, my public awaits. Well, okay a project schedule awaits, but it's close!

It’s happen! Finally, it’s happened!

I’ve been waiting, ever so patiently, for my first 3day story that I can carry with me for motivation. As if having a best friend who’s suffered through breast cancer wasn’t enough motivation. Or as if all the millions of women who have suffered, or will suffer isn’t enough. No, now I have even MORE motivation.

Her name: Unknown. Her spirit, remarkable, as is just about everyone I’ve met who’s had to deal with this.

Yesterday, I got home and decided to get my butt out there and walk. I mapped out a 5mile trek that would take me through a good part of the hood and get me back in time to head over to the Newlywed’s house for dinner (and planning of Blueberry’s 40th birthday party). Off I went. About 3.5 miles into it, the allergy attack from hell kicked in.

Sidebar: Allergies. Hate them. Last season I didn’t have a single sneeze, sniffle, or difficulty breathing. This season, it’s making itself up ten-fold. My goodness it sucks.

Now, back to the show.

Right, allergy attack. I sneezed SEVENTEEN times in a row. No lie. And anyone who’s lived with me know’s this happens during spring. It’s a ton of fun. By sneeze 10-ish, it hurts. Really really hurts. My eyes started watering and started to itch. I literally wanted to pull my eye balls out and scratch them. Ugh. This whole time, me with two kleenexs, couldn’t walk fast enough.

Then the clouds opened up. I’m a mile or so from the car. Rain pouring down, sneezing, and feeling like crap. Questioning why the hell I was doing this? Telling myself how stupid it was to have ever thought this was a good idea. And as soon as I get back to the car I’m calling the whole thing off, well, after I stop at Starbucks for some warm cuppa love.

Now, picture, if you will, that I’m a vision in pink. I have on my new pink – albeit soaking wet – fleece breast cancer vest and pink shoe laces in my spiffy new sneakers. Out of the corner of my eye I see two women sitting at a table near the door. I don’t really pay much attention to them as there are people in Starbucks usually sitting chatting.

As I’m standing waiting for the warm Americano to be served up, I feel a tap on my shoulder. There standing beside me is one of the women from the table. She has a pink baseball cap on covering her clearly balled head. She looks to be somewhere in her 30’s though it’s hard to tell. She says to me, “Are you a survivor?” I responded that no, I was training for the 3day/60 mile Breast Cancer walk. The smile that took over her face can be compared to nothing I’ve ever seen. She asked if she could give me a hug. As she did she said, “Thank you, I appreciate your effort.” Even typing this now my eyes get all misty.

I grabbed my Americano – doctored it up with cream and sugar – walked out to my car and just sat there. As I sat there I thought about how incredibly crappy and cranky I was when I went in. All things in perspective now I realized I didn’t really have anything to complain about by comparison. But I did have yet another reason to continue to train and fight to find a cure.

As for how I'm doing with regards to this adventure. I'm over my $1000 mark in fundraising - just $4000 left to go. And I'm just a measly 6 miles away from my first 100 training miles.

Ow Ow Ow Ow....Ahhhhhh

That was how my day went yesterday. Fine starting out the walk, at about 7 miles, the right ball of my foot started to ache. And hurt and ache. Those stupid shoes I was wearing hurt. That was that. Off to Jock and Jill we went. Well actually VikingGirl and I bagged out a bit earlier to hop in her car. She parked up the lake some and my foot hurt so I hopped in.

At Jock and Jill, John the super sales man helped us. This shop is a small mom and pop shop who's sales people don't work on commission. Blueberry bought her shoes there and I immediately felt that they would do us no wrong. So John the salesman spent an hour with myself and VikingGirl. I tried on 5 different pairs, wearing one shoe on the left foot and another on the right. Walking up the hill outside the store, switching the shoes, walking some more. Oddly the first pair I tried on was the pair I bought. Jock&Jill's gives a 10% discount because we are walking in the 3 Day. In two week's they'll be having an expo and they'll be selling things at 20% off. I plan on going back and buying another pair of shoes to have them ready for walking. I mean 20% off, you gotta take advantage of that. You just gotta!

BigBro walked with us yesterday and took us on quite a fun little trek. We met at Starbucks at Greenlake. From there we did one lap of Greenlake, then off track we went. We went up 65th to I think 15th to 45th and the Ave (not sure it was 15th). From there we went up 45th - stopping at Dick's burgers so VikingGirl and I could get a snack. MMMM Dick's Burgers. From there around the zoo and back down to Greenlake. According to BigBro's pedometer he had walked 15miles - but he started from his house and had 5 miles on us when we started at Starbucks. So we figured we waled 10 miles yesterday. My pedometer said 9, so I'm going with somewhere between 9-10 I walked. I'm sure I got the extra mile just from the trying on shoes and walking up the hill outside the store. Then walking to where we parked...I'm SURE it was 10 miles.

What was truly amazing about these new tennyrunners I bought is how much my foot hurt going into trying on shoes, and how little it hurt walking to my car. Going in I didn't think I'd be able to walk to the car and thought I might have to break down and let Blueberry go get the Stang (gulp). But once these new kickass shoes were on, my foot didn't hurt. In fact, I felt I could walk another lap of Greenlake.

Once I got home, I got the foot spa out of the management office - it had been delivered earlier in the week, but I couldn't get home in time to get it. But Oh. My. God. I am so glad I bought this thing. I put my hot water in, the salts that came with it and I sat here for 15 minutes soaking. Ahhhh, how good that felt.

It's a VERY Good day

Today, my friends, was a good day.

I got to work and was very cranky. I had festered all night over a conversation that took place during my 1:1. Then when I got up this morning I was still mad. I had a conversation out loud with things I wanted to say, but wasn't quick enough to say them. I hate that.

But today, while it started out with me wearing my crankypants, got better. Approximately 2:00PM today, PMDude and I got notified that we were approved to move into an office. YIPEE! We - PMDude more than I - had been asking for some time to allow he and I to co-exist in an office away from "others" in the office. Today, we moved. I will take a snapshot later of the office digs once they get situated. We both pretty much just moved and then went home. Well, that's not completely true. My desk is all put together, but I stayed later to do that.

I got another surprise today. I was "found" in Facebook by a long lost friend from my Tasis days. Little Martini Pearce. Martin, Claudia and I pal'ed around a lot. He was a lot of fun back then, and I'm sure he still is. He lives in LA with his partner and currently raising a their special needs child. I'm so happy for him. And I'm so very glad that he found me. His sister Rachel and I were roommates my senior year. After graduation, Rachel fell off the radar and hasn't wanted to be found. Martin informs me she's good and doing well.

Tomorrow we are all meeting to walk 9-10 miles. I'm hoping to buy some new fancypants shoes. The ones I have now are 10 mile AT THE MOST shoes. My feet started hurting after 9. Not to mention a blister. For myself I bought a gift. This nifty little foot massager. It was delivered on Tuesday and I've not had a chance to pick it up from the office. Hopefully tomorrow I'll 1) be able to pick it up and 2) use it in the afternoon after the walk.

Blueberry is about to turn 40. The Bride of the Newlyweds and I are going to be planning a bday party for her. I haven't had to plan a birthday party this big in a long long time. At least there's no need to determine a color scheme. Black I think should do just fine.

Make it Stop

What a horrific week/day. I can't really put my finger on it, but this week sucks.

I think I might be allergic to my laundry soap. My legs itch like crazy. I thought perhaps it was dry skin, and have been lotioning up, but that hasn't helped at all. I suppose I could be allergic to the lotion, but wouldn't my arms itch. Actually now that I think about it, my arms would itch if it were the laundry soap. Either way MAKE IT STOP!

Some of my projects aren't doing so well. It's a little of this and a little of that to be blamed. There seems to be way too much to do and my stress level is off the chart. (I wonder if stress makes one's legs itch) I do have PM skilz but man something isn't meshing right now. A multitude of things that have happened lately just has me bummin about work. I just get so tired of the crap sometimes. The lack of desire to even think, or god forbid act, about change frustrates me. A few ideas I've had (in conjunction with another who shall remain nameless) to improve our way of collecting data were dashed and made me feel rather stupid for even thinking I could make a difference or affect change.

Did I mention my legs itch?

Allergy season is starting. My eyes are all scratchy and itchy. Stupid Scotchbroom is starting to bloom. I hate that stuff. It looks all pretty and springy, but it stinks. Not literally, but in the allergy world....it stinks.

I feel all out of sorts too. I have hermit tendencies and I like to spend time at home. I've not had any time at home really. Each night I've had something going and not getting home until late. I think I need my hermit time to feel all sorts of sorts. This weekend isn't looking too promising for hermit time either. Walking 0 - 10 miles on Saturday. I hope. Right now I really don't feel the motivation, but am sure over the next day or so I will find that motivational need. Oh I know what will do it. This video. Watch it! It'll put a lot into perspective.

Well I think I've whined long enough for one blog. I think I might go tuck myself into bed with the rest of my smut novel I have left to read.

Back in the Saddle

So I'm back in the dreary wet Seattle land. Ugh. I stepped off the plane yesterday and was greeted with a blast of 40 ish degree weather. It was all I could do to not turn around and get back on that plane. Except that plane was going to Alaska, so that wouldn't work. But you know what I mean.

I had an absolute blast with the fam. I spent a significant amount of time trying to figure out the family with regards to who belonged to whom, and where and why, and oh my God my head hurt. Something has changed in me in the last 2 years, I find I'm very interested in my family's history. I want to know who is who and where and why. I'm kicking myself now for not having a tape recorder going while listening to the Aunts and Uncles tell their stories. So much I didn't know. Of course a lot of it makes sense to me now as to why I'm the way I am. I blame the family!

Now for a few shout outs:

A BIG HUGE SHOUT OUT TO AUNT JEAN FOR HER DONATION. I know the decision of either buy "scrapbook" stuff or donate to a good cause. I'm very glad that she chose to donate.

ANOTHER BIG HUGE HUGE SHOUT OUT TO PHOTOGIRL AND THE YANK FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION. You both rock and I'm so very thankful to know you both.

The donation from PhotoGirl and The Yank put me over my $1000 mark. I'm 20% to my goal of $5,000. And it's only March. I might have to raise my goal.

I Wear My Sunglasses....

during the day because the sun's so freaking bright. In fact, I've not been able to post because the computer screen and the sun create a heck of a glare. I think I got sunburned from the glare. No lie.

I was going to post yesterday but got too busy sitting in the sun. Then I came back in side to rest, cause it was a lot of work sitting outside in the sun. Once inside, I sat on the couch to type, but the glare from outside on the computer just wouldn't allow typing. So I went back outside.

Sitting on the deck, I was laying back soaking up the sun when a loud flutter sounding like a bee with wings of an eagle jolted me back to reality and just about scared the poo out of me, thinking it was a bee. Instead it was a nice little humming bird. Still, it could have been a bee with wings of an eagle.

Yesterday was the big family reunion. I've not known the Spaid side - the MomUnit's side) very well and sorta regret that. What a bunch of amazingly odd people. I know where I get it from now. I sat at the table last night with two uncles, and an aunt who all told stories on one another. I laughed until my sides hurt. Funny how one story told by three different perspectives can be so different.

From Left to right: Uncle Dick, Aunt Jean, the MomUnit and Uncle Bob.

Aunt Jean is one of my favoritest aunts. She's the one responsible for my scrapbooking addiction. I told her I'd send her my bill and she said she can't be responsible for such a large tab. She lives in Medford Oregon, so I could see her more than just once every 15 years. Uncle Dick now lives just below my parents during the winter. As long as I can remember he's been in Alaska. It's too cold for me to visit up there. Uncle Bob lives in Colorado and has for as long as I can remember. I vaguely recall as a child visiting them, but can't recall if it was in Colorado or if they visited us in California.

It saddens me a bit that we didn't get a chance to grow up with this family. Being part of the military we moved a lot and so rarely got to see family. We generally spent summers in California with the grandparents and so at least knew them.

I've been shocked at some of the trials and tribulations these aunts and uncles lived through. I've learned a lot about our family history, and am writing it down so it's captured somewhere. It surprises me that they are "normal" as they are. And that's all relative.

I walked just 3 miles yesterday because it was so flipping hot. And I found myself out of breath quicker. BigBro did warn me about the higher altitude, but that doesn't seem like I should have been that much out of breath. Still, it was nice to get out and walk.

Today we're having brunch with the whole fam damily and who knows after that. I might sit out in the sun again, oh who am I kidding, there's no might about it. I'm soaking up as much as I can. It'll be cooler today at 79. Yesterday it was 86 and that is a bit toasty.

Oh and on the plane on the way down here I actually sat in a window seat. I normally like the aisle so I can get up as much as I like. Every screaming child in Seattle was on this plane and I swear sitting next to me. Anyhow, we flew over the Grand Canyon. Gorgeous from the sky!

Off to the land of OZ

That's right kittens, I'm off to the great state of Arizona tomorrow. I can't wait to see the sun and feel it's warmth. Checking the weather report for the last two days, and one phone call from the MomUnit confirming it, looks like I'll be in 80 weather for 4 glorious days. From 45 to 80 in just 2.5 hours. I can't wait. I am in need of some serious vitamin D.

My mom's family is having a reunion. I've not seen some of these family members for like 15 or 20 years. Crazy. It shocks me how quickly time passes. I was just saying to PMDude today that I don't even remember yesterday. It came and went before I could store it in my long term memory. Did I even do work? Never mind. Don't answer that.

I plan on doing some walking in the land of Oz. It'll be nice and warm, so there's no excuse. And BigBro was nice enough to provide me a map of a walk he did down there. So I really have no excuse.

While I was working out this afternoon I watched Judge Judy. I think I've mentioned before that this show cracks me up. It proves over and over that the gene pools out there need some chlorine. Anyhow, a sister from the south, and I mean the "south" was suing her sister for wrecking her car. The defendant sister's excuse was she hit a deer and so it wasn't her fault. Judge Judy asked her if she called animal control to come get the deer. The sister said no. Judge Judy asked what she did with the deer. The sister said she ate it. She ate it! Now practically I see the point, but good grief only in the south.

A little this! A little that!

Because I can't figure out what else to write about and yet feel the need to feed the blog world with useless and meaningless ramblings.

The roommate (aka The Big Black Beast of Burden aka Pookie) has suddenly found that he "needs" to charge the sliding glass door every time this particularly cute grey cat comes around. Now it could be a female cat and there for he's "hungry" for her (though he's fixed and doubtful even knows what that is). Or it's a male kitty and he's protecting Chez Jenn's. Either way he needs to stop. I have cat face prints on the glass and his little kitty brain is being jolted out of place. And by "charge" I mean he's all the way across the apartment and runs at full speed to the glass, and only stops when his face hits the glass full on. The other issue is he does it in the middle of the night. Being startled awake by the sound of a 14 lb cat hitting a solid glass door through vertical blinds, is not my idea of fun. It must stop. I'm going to duct tape the cat to the ceiling to stop said issue.

Skippy was absent from work yesterday. What a glorious Monday. He had a "chest" thing and felt he couldn't make it into work. Now keep in mind, my work ethic, and PMDude's too, says that if I'm not dead, and am home sick, I still do "work". He was sadly at work today and didn't sound sick at all. He spent 3/4 of the day today whining about how he feels "okay" but is just so tired. He's so very tired. All day I wanted to say, "I'm so f****** tired of listing to you whine." But I didn't. I refrained, barely.

Am I the only one who hates the Oscars? I would like to request a shortened version please. Just show me the nominees, the winners and move on to the next category. I hate the thank you speeches. First off almost every single one thanks God and I can almost gaurantee that not a one of them have been to church in the last 5 years, nor have the likely prayed. But whatever. That's cynical girl speaking. I do love checking out the dresses the day after online. I'm always amused when the online world shows the "worst dressed" and there's a male actor listed and he's wearing a tux. A tux that looks no different than a tux worm by some other man.

A BIG HUGE SHOUT OUT TO PEGGY S for her donation. She's a friend of PMDude and someone I've never met. In fact, I've been shocked the amount of donations I've received by people I don't actually know. Friends through this blog world. These witty, clever, sarcastic, and funny friends I now am glad to have in my circle even if I've never met them.

The blisters are almost back to normal. I actually bothered them yesterday by walking a bit. Stupid Stupid girl! They hurt today and so consequently couldn't walk today. I lifted weights today instead while watch Judge Judy. What? As if you don't watch her.

Walking, Whining, Wine, and Photography

Good day my little chickadees. I'm one pooped girl today. Oh and I have pain. Ohhhh I have pain.

Yesterday Blueberry and I walked to our own drummer for 9 miles. We did three laps of Greenlake. It was one of those awesomely sunny, just right temperature days in Seattle. Everybody and their dog (literally) was out at Greenlake. But it was so worth it. Such good people watching for one, but the fact that we did three laps. Yay us. VikingGirl got the crud that's making its rounds here in the NW, so she didn't make it.

At the end of our second lap we (read: I) was contemplating not going round again, but walking over to Jock&Jill to buy my new shoes. Finally, I decided to just do that later. I'm paying dearly for that decision. By the end of the third lap I was feeling it. Blueberry and I both could feel it in our hips, and our feet were starting to hurt. My right foot hurt more than the left. I crawled to the car and had to get to the store to buy the last bits for the wine tasting extravaganza at Chez Jenn's.

I got to the store, had to park way out - of course, because when your feet are sore, why would a parking spot be available close? Walked into Safeway, grabbed a few items and realized my debit card was back in the car. Bugger! I put my cart by the front, took baby steps back to the freakin car. Got the debit card and crawled back. Upon my return, I realized they had taken my cart and I had to start over. BuggerBugger!

Finishing that I got home. I sat my butt down on the floor and started stretching. I'm a BIG believer of stretching and lots of water after walking. It's the answer to no muscle pain. As I was on the floor I was checking out the balls of my feet. And there they were. Two blisters on the bottom of my right foot. Small, and flat. But my god they hurt. I got a lot of advice from everyone with what I should do with them. They puffed up a bit over night so I took BigBro's advice and got a needle and neosporin. The interesting thing here, in case you didn't know, is that my little tooties are very sensitive. It's hard for me to get a pedicure without being stressed. I do love pedicures, but it tickles. So popping blisters is hard - yes I can even tickle myself. But I did it, and they still hurt. I get to go out with the PhotoGods today for shooting architecture...and it's gonna hurt. Got my Aleve and I'm ready to go.

Last night's Wine Tasting was another fantastic success. We had 13 bottles of wine to choose from and taste. I tasted all but the white wines. I decided - for the first time - to not mix my wines. My body does appreciate when I do that. I made Tyler Florence's Spahetti Bolognese. YumO! OMG It's delicious. I've made it a hundred times before. It takes all day and it's yummy. I learned a lot about my friends last night. Blueberry for example likes ménage à trois. In fact just about everyone who tried it liked ménage à trois. (note: ménage à trois was a wine last night). The NewlyWeds brought a kickass appetizer, that's actually good for you too. Friends Mark and Vanessa (whom I can't think of nicknames for yet, but I'm close) brought Rice Krispie Treats. Yay Mark. Whodathunk Rice Krispie Treats would go well with red wine.

Today the PhotoGods of the NW took out in search for architecture. We found ourselves on the campus of the University of Washington. I've lived in Seattle since 1986 and have never really wondered the UW campus. (I went to the rival school, so why would I?) I gotta say, what a gorgeous campus. Full of gothic style buildings and few oddly placed "modern" buildings. We had fun and I think I got a few good shots.

Let the Sickness Continue

So, I'm sure you've noticed, or maybe you haven't been paying attention, but Pink is apparently my new thing. I laugh at that thought really considering the MomUnit couldn't get me in pink to save her soul when I was a child. Pink was for girls, and a girly girl I wasn't.

And yet now, some 35+ years later I'm all in with Pink.

Let's review:

1 Pink Sony Camera

1 Pink DELL Laptop

1 Pink External hard drive

1 Pink wireless mouse

2 Pink water bottles

1 pink Blog

1 pink Sarcastic Ball (not to be confused with the 8Ball)

2 pink pairs of socks

1 pink Warm up jacket

And now we can add this to my growing list of pink items.

In case you have not been made aware as I was (Thanks Vicky), the iPod Shuffle is now only $49. That's a steal! Everyone should have one. Now granted it's only 1GB, but it's perfect for working out or say long distance walking (for example). And it clips onto things...which makes for easy moving. It's hot. Come on! Admit it!

In other news its freaking Thursday already. I was glad to have Monday off to celebrate President's (even though I refuse to celebrate the current one), but missing one day sure does put a PM behind. Especially when your counterparts in the UK don't have that day off.

This weekend the Saving 2nd Base team (minus BigBro who's still in Arizona) will be attempting 9 miles, with an option for 12 depending on how we fill. There won't be any hills in this trek so it's possible we could do 12. TWELVE freakin miles...wow. I never thought I'd say that in reference to me. Hah!

Destination Tully's

So yesterday I wrote of our great adventure in West Seattle and our destination being Starbucks. Well there's another sheriff in town...Tully's.

But before I get to that a few shout outs to my recent benefactors.

The Washburn Family - Jule's you're one of my longest, dearest friends. Thank you for the donation.

Patron Saint - You KICK ASS. Thank you for your donation. I feel so blessed to have "met" you, even though we've never met.

Solje - You girlfriend KICK Cougar ASS. We go way WAY back. Whodathunk during our days in college, we'd be here?

VikingGirl was responsible for today's walk. She lives on a local trail and thought it would be worth a trip to walk from her house to downtown Woodinville to Tully's and back. Round trip 6 miles. Less than we wanted to walk today, but there was a hitch. There was a hill or two, or three or four. Oh and the major hill was at the beginning again, which is good. (incidentally you see how beautiful it is here in Seattle today? Gorgeous day - a perfect day for a walk.)

The second hitch was that VikingGirl hadn't walked much past a certain point on the trail and so wasn't sure what lie ahead. We started out, and hit the hill walking. VikingGirl was my murderer on this trail. The hill was massive ...MASSIVE! But we made it to the top. Ah a plateau. But then we realized that we were walking down a hill then hitting a plateau, then down again. Suddenly it hit me that the walk home would be ALL up hill. But we walked on. Then, then we saw it. A hill. A hill that to my estimate was approximate a 30% downgrade. To be more specific, we couldn't see the bottom of the hill until we were at the top looking down.

We started down. As we walked down, we were thinking of a plan to get up the hill. How could we even consider it? We'd be out of energy by the middle, if that.

At the bottom, we zigged and we zagged and walked out off the trail into Tully's. For those not of the NW, Tully's is another coffee chain that you find on corners you don't find a Starbucks.

We got our "energy" and decided then and there that we'd call VikingGirl's nanny to come "save" us. But before that we'd might as well walk another mile or two on the Sammamish River Trail.

Next week we are aiming for 9 miles. My goal is 10 miles by the end of the month. Missing a weekend of walking puts me slightly behind. But I'm sure we can do we can do it.

Destination Starbucks

Living in Seattle you are almost guaranteed to be able to drive by or walk by a Starbuck within minutes of each other.

I'm a Starbucks poster child. I order a very simple drink - Grande Vanilla Americano with extra room. I am guaranteed that any Starbucks I order my drink at, even the cheesy ones inside Safeway or QFC stores (not Starbuck employees usually, but store employees). Still, I get the same exact drink every time. I look forward to the consistency. I crave the consistency.

Though on occasion I like to par take in the other little coffee houses in the area who specialize in meaty coffee. These special coffee houses usually serve Vivace or something similar. Vivace is a very hearty, very bold, very heavy coffee. I swear when I drink it I feel I should be using a spoon instead of drinking it. Thick and delicious.

But I digress to why "destination Starbucks".

Yesterday, I was able to lace up my walking shoes again and hit the pavement. It had been two long weeks since I had walked - thanks to a stupid cold. I felt behind the 8 ball and delaying my training any further wasn't an option. I challenged Blueberry to chart out our course. She sent her map to us and explained a couple of different options through West Seattle. And she included that there were two Starbucks on our route! Glory days. We joked that from now on when we walk we have to make sure there's at least two Starbucks. I wonder if we can, in every course we plan, have a couple of Starbucks on...me thinks yes.

We took off and met VikingGirl (Yes, Heidi has a new code name - someday I'll take a photo and explain why) at 63rd and Admiral Way. Blueberry's course included an enormous hill. We had an option to either do an enormous hill at the beginning of the walk or the end of the walk. And she promised the "enormous" hill has some flat spots in it where we could catch our breath. I now know Blueberry's definition of "flat spot" differs greatly to my definition.

VikingGirl, Blueberry and I started off. We decided to do the hill first and get it out of our way. The Starbucks - at the top of the hill. Sneaky. Very sneaky! Blueberry knew I hadn't had coffee yet and having a Starbucks at the top was a sure fire way to get me motivated.

One foot in front of the other, we hiked up this hill. And we hiked and hiked up this hill. All the while I'm asking, "Where exactly are the flat spots?" As we marched on we'd hit a not so steep part of the hill and Blueberry would hollar back to me that we're at a flat spot. My butt it was flat.

The hill was exactly 1 mile up. And we did make it. We stopped at the top at a Safeway in which VikingGirl and I grabbed a bite to eat because neither of us had had breakfast. Dumb walkers! Oh and Safeway had a Starbucks.

We walked on through West Seattle. Stopping to take pictures every now and then at scenic view points. It was a sunny day, but a bit foggy so Seattle wasn't as in view as it normally is.

5 miles later - FIVE miles later we pass the last of the Starbucks. But by then we were too hungry and decided to have lunch instead.

On route we received 2 "atta girls" from walkers, 2 honks, and tried to take 3 puppies home with us. Total miles walked - just over 7.

Valentine's Update: DMQ style

Imagine if you will, sitting at your desk minding your own business. When "ding" the bell out in the lobby rings. None of the people around you seem particularly interested in getting up to get it, so you drag yourself up to the reception counter (which has no receptionist) and there sitting on the counter was this:

There's a card. It's addressed to "Jenn" - why, that's me! Oh goody! I got a Valentine. A secret admirer perhaps? Perhaps its hotty boy who works down the hall who has quite the impressive back side, if you know what I mean? Oh, wait, perhaps it's from Dad for our "anniversary" that's Sunday? Or, maybe it's from ... or, I could open the card.

I carry the 14 lbs of fruit package back to my desk, imagining over and over again who could be the lucky person to have sent such a fantastically low calorie Valentine to me?

As I tear into the envelop I think, clearly it's someone who knows me because they spelled Jenn with two "N's". Wait! What? Who?

DMQ = Dudley Manlove Quartet! No way! This is Righteous! Or, is it perhaps from a certain friend/friends who happened to attend the Valentine's show with me and had such a fantastic time they felt like they HAD to reciprocate? Me thinks maybe yes. But either way...THANKS! You know who you are!

Now rereading my blog I glanced at the bouquet and I'm taken back to a Mariner's game in which they started selling chocolate dipped strawberries. Blueberry and I were watching as person after person walked by with these "things", when I blurted out, "they look like the top of a pe*is." (If you don't know what that word is, think male, think anatomy, think south of the border). After cleaning up Blueberry from spitting her drink halfway across Safeco Field, we laughed until our sides hurt. Now I find myself glancing at this bouquet and laughing at the thought of "I got a bouquet of pe*is tops." (Can't wait to see stat counter pick up this blog when someone searches on that).

Blech!

"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." ~Author Unknown

Need I say more?

Coughing, Achy, Stuffy head, Fever sure wish I could rest

I'm sick again. I swear I just had a cold, and suddenly I have one again. Whomever is responsible for passing this virus to me is gonna get it!

My weekend stunk to high heaven considering I didn't move from the couch. I felt a bit icky on Friday, but forced myself to go see Dudley (yes I forced myself...well maybe not). I knew I was coming down with something. I could feel it in my bones. You know that feeling when every noise sorta gets your nerves jumping. Where just lifting the glass to take a drink is painful. Yah that feeling.

The boys here hot hot hot at this show. The Valentine's show is likely me least favorite. First because it's Valentine's Day and we all know how I feel about day. But secondly most their songs are about love. Blech! We went to the early show, which thank God since I was getting sick. I never would have made it to the later show. We had a Dudley virgin amongst us. The Yank (PhotoGirl's hubby) hadn't had the privilege to see the boys. But I gathered he approved. I did take several videos (thanks to The Yank for figuring out how to use my new camera's video's ability), but none of them turned out well enough to earn a spot here. Others in attendance, Blueberry, The Newly Weds, HikerGirl and her new HikerBoy.

I did no walking this weekend. Blueberry and I planned a 7 mile walk, but I didn't feel like I could even manage a walk from my bed to the bathroom, so I knew 7 miles was out. I am feeling a bit anxious about not getting out this weekend. But I know I'd do myself no good if I were to go out while sick.

Does this blog seem more pink than others? It should. I'm writing it on my new Flamingo Pink laptop. See I ended up staying home today since I felt like crap. No reason to drag my butt into work and pass the gunk to any other poor unfortunate soul there. And as luck would have it, the Laptop was delivered. Yay! I didn't feel up to unpacking the box when it first got here, but then couldn't stand it. It's beautiful! It's pink!

Hairy ValenTimes

Tonight is the Dudley Manlove Valentine show. My mission tonight is to get a photo with Craig - whom I've chosen to be my Valentine this year. He's so lucky.

An enormous group of 8 of us will be there tonight. PhotoGirl and her husband - the Yank (I work with PhotoGirl and The Yank is part of this band) will be joining the crowd tonight. They're the newbies to my world of DMQ stalkers. Okay, so I'm the only stalker of the bunch, but Blueberry and HikerGirl are close seconds.

The show will be at the fantabulous Triple Door. The only thing sucky about this venue is they don't really have tables for larger crowds, so we might have to split up. We'll see. I've left Cynical Jenn at home today and instead have brought "Support Your Local Non Holiday Holiday Jenn"

I feel like crap today - I think trying to ward off some virus that's determined to slow me down. It's been a hellish week in which any project I've touched has crashed and burned. I'm convinced there's something in the air though. Everyone I've talked to has mentioned that things are just in an odd state of flux. (ahahhahaha I mistyped the word flux to flush which, to me, makes that sentence funny. No. I'm not taking any cold medication yet. This is just my odd ball self.) Anyhow, where was I? Oh yes, projects sucking. A couple of the gross margins of my projects have taken a dive so deep I don't think we'll recover from them. In fact, we may be paying Geeksoft. Sadly, some are my fault and some I couldn't really foresee. Either way, I feel like a crappy PM this week and can't help but wonder if I should have stayed with my original career plan to be the person to draw the maps in history books.

Okay, I'd better go do some project management. Ugh. But Dudley Tonight Yay! I'll be sure to give them a big smooch for all of you.

Treadmill: 1 Jenn: 0

I decided tonight upon returning from Happy Hour with BeagleBabe to go work out. I started on the elliptical rider and got bored after 10 minutes, so switched to the treadmill. I set it up to do some hill climbing. All was well for about 15 minutes, until...

See the treadmill doesn't have any type of water bottle holder - which seems weird to me. If I were ever to change jobs and design exercise equipment I'd not only make sure it was available in pink, I'd make damn sure it has a water bottle holder. Oh and an iPod or music thingy holder. Oh and maybe a hook for a towel.

But I digress. I nestled my water bottle between the bottom of the dash board panel and the pseudo bar - you see where this is going right? By the end of mile 1 I decided I needed a drink. I went to grab the water bottle and it slipped from my grasp. It landed with a resounding thud on the track of the treadmill. Now some would think I tripped on it, but in fact miraculously it shot - literally shot - off the treadmill like a bullet. Straight back in a direct line and landed - I kid you not - in the dispenser part of a coke machine. I got the giggles. I couldn't stop laughing. The ridiculousness of reliving that bullet like trajectory of a pink water bottle - even now I find myself tearing up with laughter.

It was during this laughing fit that I lost my footing and almost bit it. THEN I had this image of me shooting off the treadmill and suffering the same fate as the water bottle. Funny image to say the least.

So said pink water bottle is 24 ounces. I've had 6 of them today. I'm not math wizard, but according to my 10 fingers and 10 toes that's a 144 ounces of water (ok I cheated and used a calculator). I've now spent 10% of my day in the little girls room. As I finish the 6th bottle I can't help but wonder (or is it wander?) "how many times will I be getting up tonight?" And just to give you a glimpse into my head - scary as it is - the water bottle is made by Camelbak. Which if you rearrange the letters you get Clam Bake - which is a song Dudle (and Elvis) sing.

Big SHOUT out to fantastic cousin DWIGHT for his donation. I'm 8 % to my goal - which almost seems ridiculous to even type. So cousin DWIGHT - YOU ROCK!!!

The Squeemish Need Not Apply

Okay, so I have to share this with my fans - er ah - readers. However, if you are weak in the stomach and get grossed out easily you may want to look away and come back another day. Hah - look at me I'm a poet.

Ahem....

Most of you are aware I'm training for the 3-day walk in September. Along with this training, I decided it would be in my best interest to drop a few (or several) pounds. Walking as much as I have been and working out on the off days should just go hand in hand with losing weight.

Well, a friend this weekend recommended I consider taking this new fandangled "magic" drug called Alli to help with my weight loss. A magic drug? Wow, exactly what I've been waiting for! Knowing full well it is likely a piece of crap, I had no idea just how much of a piece of crap it is.

I decided instead of forking over my hard earned cash on seeing how it works, I'd *gasp* read about it first. And therein lies the gross factor.

I googled it and went to their "how does it work?" section of the website.

Oh.

My.
God.

It says, and I quote, " The active ingredient in alli attaches to some of the natural enzymes in the digestive system, preventing them from breaking down about a quarter of the fat you eat. Undigested fat cannot be absorbed and passes through the body naturally. The excess fat is not harmful. In fact, you may recognize it in the toilet as something that looks like the oil on top of a pizza. "

Okay, ewwwww....

If the last sentence isn't enough to talk you out of pizza for awhile, I don't know what is. But here's the kicker, they go on to say that by taking alli you may encounter "treatment effects" if you eat too much fat.

A- ha so that's where it works. It's a diuretic. Excellent.

The site goes on to warn you to not take it if you're at work or going to an event until you know how your body will react. And that you should also lower your fat intake as you take it so that you don't encounter the "treatment effects" as often. Ah, yah wouldn't that also help you lose weight? I'm just sayin.

So the end result is I won't be taking it. I'm doing fine where I am. 6.5 lbs down. Losing an average of 1 lb a week and that my friends is healthy.

That aforementioned hard earned cash now has to be put toward a laptop for home. My LT is dying a slow, painful death. Geeksquad this weekend quoted me $650 to fix it. At that price I figured why not fork over some mo'money and buy a new one. AND while I'm at it, why not buy a PINK one. I ordered a pink external hard drive and a pink mouse to match it. I know you're jealous!

30 Training Miles and Still going

Tonight, I passed a milestone. That sentence makes it sound like I passed a stone. If you know what i mean? And somehow I have the song 500 Miles in my head. Stop laughing PMDude!

Why 30 training miles was a milstone? I have no idea. 30 was my favorite birthday. 30 was the number of dollars Blueberry owed me last week. 30 was a nice round number that 10, 3, 5, 6, 15, and 2 go into easily. (There are probably more that go into 30, but I'm too tired to think about it).

So some type of motivational monster has a strong hold of me. It's shaking me to my core. It's rattling cynical Jenn right out of me. I've not had this kind of motivation ever. The inner voice is loud and its shouting. Which is good because when it whispers I never hear it. I'm not going to over analyze where it came from or why. Instead I'm going to take hold with both hands and hold on. Why question a good thing?

I sent a donation letter out a few random folks. Testing the water really just to see. I've been shocked by who has donated already AND who has promised a donation. My friend Gypsy has promised at least $100 and possibly $200 if she gets a job.

Gypsy? Odd name isn't it? Well, in true Jenn fashion it's not her real name. I change the names to protect the not so innocent. I'm choosing to call her Gypsy becasue the first day I met her was Halloween. My friend Kara was dragging me to an infamous "Mansion Halloween Party". In the early years of Geeksoft there was a bunch of boys who rented this kick ass mansion in a ritzy fritzy area of Seattle. They hired security, had bands on every floor, and held one awesome party. Gypsy and a friend of hers were coming with Kara and I. Gypsy shows up dressed as a Gypsy with wings. When I asked about the wings she said, "Well Duh, I'm a Gypsy Moth." Clever girl she is.

She is quite possibly one of the funniest and most animated person I have ever met. She is definitely on the top 5 of Jenn's list of people who should be allowed into heaven. Anyhow, Gypsy walked in the 3-day a couple fo years ago. And sent me an email with "advice" and "lessons learned". I laughed out loud as I read it. Below are some excerps.

"OMG … I did this walk a … handful of years ago. Thrilled I did it once … swore I’d never do it again … but promised I would give at least $100 to the next in line to try. Just about killed me. OH … and it really almost killed one of the women I walked with. Dork refused to drink Gatorade. OK … So … who doesn’t hate to drink Gatorade????!!!! … but if it saves your life … keeps you from getting hauled off to the hospital for dehydration … wouldn’t you drink the damn Gatorade??

DRINK THE DAMN GATORADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I MEAN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are a couple theories going into this …. Only one is sanctioned… I came up with the other.
*Don’t bother with the schedule. If you never do any working out, your body won’t know what hit it for at least a couple days and hopefully you’ll either be done with the walk or on day 3 and almost done before your body figures it out…

Good safety tip…
OH … and it’s probably a good idea to start eating only potato chips, bananas, peanut butter, bagels and Gatorade as your primary diet a week before you head out … so that your body doesn’t freak out and have horrendous diarrhea issues at about noon on day 2. BUT if this happens … I have found that a quick trip into a fast food location for like … “mexi fries” can easily get you back on track … carry some cash…

OK … so here are a couple heads up.

Day one:
*Piece of cake. OK … a 20 mile piece of cake. You’re probably too young to remember walkathons that were actually 20 miles and not … 20K…
*At the end of day one … you will sit down to dinner at a plate of food so large you think you can’t possibly eat it all. And in an instant… all the food will be gone. I actually asked my buddies … “where did all my food go?” … To which they said… “um … you ate it”.
*Day one when you get to camp … there will be crazy people who will… somehow … dance all night. Personally, it was all I could do to shower/shampoo/shine for the next day’s walk … I’m sure I stunk to the high heavens… oh wait I didn’t shower… I didn’t do any of that, because my tent and sleeping bag were like sirens… calling to me. Male sirens… ;+)

Day two:
*This is a horrible day. You have been warned.
*Your shoes will feel 3 sizes too small and if you have blisters it will be even worse. ;+)
*So it’s going to be the same length as day one … but it’s not new. And it’s the same length as day 3 … but your not done.
*This day will suck. If you have any Percocet … alcohol … bring it. I didn’t need it, but I knew I had it. And that made all the difference.
*Take a shower before you go to bed … no matter how much it might kill you. For … tomorrow, they will be taking pictures of you along the way and at the finish. Plus … it’s probably over due.

Day three:
*A lot like day 1 with … way more aches and pains … and probably blisters.
*BUT… there is an end in site.
*I found that when my group sang “I like big butts” it really made the time “fly”. (Learn the lyrics)
*And … I still have yet to feel the sense of accomplishment as I did when I finished this trek.

Good luck to you my friend. You will not need it, but it will be nice to know you have it.

My two best tips?
*Drink something when anyone honks… make it a game.
*Drink Gatorade every 3rd drink.
*You will eat weird food. If you’re not lucky enough to “lose” your tent mate to dehydration … be sure you bring something to help you with boofies… had I had a roommate that first night, I’m sure I would have silently killed her in the night. Tents don’t have gas sensors.

OK … I love you. I pledge a donation … just holding out to double it.
Please let me know your route. One of the nicest.. pleasant wastes of time… was seeing people on the route. And no I promise I won’t deliver you to the next stop. LOL"