Leelee's Life

2011-03-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

Birthday musings

2009-07-08T18:58:00.000-07:00

Today I am 31. I am no longer 30, but IN my THIRTIES. I was expecting to feel rather hesitant to jump into the 30's but I find I am very at ease about the whole thing.

It's 10pm, and I'm calling my birthday pretty much over. I'm ready to hit the hay, but before I do, I thought I would take a moment and look back at 30. I warn you this is going to be a rambling jumble of randomness, but I'm just writing my thoughts as they come through, unedited.. so here goes..

Am I where I thought I would be?
Did I accomplish what I wanted to?
Have a grown as a person, and acted as a good soul in the universe?
Have I given back as much as I should have?
Did I love as much as I should have?
Did I forgive as much as I should have?
Most importantly, did I learn anything this year?

I think this was the year that I learned a lot about myself. What I want. What I certainly don't want. Whether it was work, or my goals, my dreams, for myself, I now have a clearer picture.

I have also been through a lot with Dave.. got engaged, Davey's kidney issue, Dave starting his own business, my issues at work, my issues with work, my issues with work....

Other happenings
I bashed my f**n car against a tree in my driveway. What a F**n idiot..
I got whiplash, and now I'm seeing a chrio.. whom is awesome by the way.
I've gained an obscene amount of weight because I basically sat on my ass all year.
I dropped my online class because I just have had no motivation for it, which means there's something else afoot I need to attend to, since that is very unlike me to not love school. (my guess is that I'm in the wrong subject matter duh, leelee)
I've driven myself into a fine corner at work.
Dave and I discovered snowshoeing.
I also taught him how to play golf.
We made some of the best wine ever created.
I found out what it was like to be scared in your core that the one you love was sick. It's never easy no matter how many times you go through it.
I went to Baltimore (place I've never been)
read many good books
walked out of a movie (Watchmen OMG.. it was horrendous)
Had a great brunch with great friends
Spent some great time with family
Watched my Mary graduate
Reconnected with old friends
Made new friends from the unlikeliest of circumstances
Had my faith tested severely
Took the "law" into my own hands.
Planned a wedding
De-planned a wedding
Re-planned a wedding
Found many things to laugh at with THO
Many inside jokes
mornings together
lounging in PJs
porch conversations
and the list goes on and on..

Here's what I need to fix..without going into too much detail.

I have to get real about a few things.
I have to be honest with myself on a few things.
I have to let go of a few things.
I have found the simple things that make me happy, however I have let the one or two stressors affect my entire picture.. must keep things separate.
I must let go and trust.. there's no reason NOT to.
and everyone thinks I'm hard on myself. I don't think I'm hard ENOUGH on myself. But if what they say is true, then I shall try hard to be more kind to myself.

Put all together it may seem that have had difficulty, but it's just a mere laundry list of things I need to work on, and remind myself.

SO here's what's ahead.

I will fix several of the issues that I have been dealing with.
I will do more for myself,and hopefully spend more time with my handsome one.
I will work very hard to let go of the obstacles that I create for myself - for most of the issues I think there are in my relationship, or at work, or for myself, I am making mountains out of molehills.
I will get back to my healthy self. Starting in 8 hours as of right now..
I want to try at least one new thing
I want to hang out with my family more. I miss them.
I want to be a better friend to my friends. I have not done so well in keep in touch, or getting together. I miss them all and want to remedy that this year.

As far as Davey goes, I just want to be the best person I can be for him and for me. I want him to be happy.
I want to make him happy.
I want to be the partner he deserves
I want to be the partner I always wanted to be.

I would really like to get involved in some sort of community event or charity thing. I have no idea yet, but there are so many fun events for good causes.

I would really like to focus on my bike this year. And maybe get back into golf.
Snowshoeing is a MAJOR MUST this winter.. right from the get go.. no excuses.. We have really nice snowshoes now, let's use them.

And yes I know I'm a geek, but.. I miss playing chess.

I would really like to get some sort of game night going with Dave. .I don't care if it's freakin Chutes n ladders.. but we need to socialize with other couples once in a while.

Work..[edited by the censors]

Ok, so I have rambled enough. I look forward to the adventure that lies before me.
I cannot wait to see what the next 365 days has in store for me..

Goodnight!

SnagFilms Film Widget

2009-03-15T11:02:00.001-07:00

How a debate is truly won...

2009-03-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

Lent week 2 : Attachments.. Buddhism and Merton at war with my mind PART I

2009-03-11T04:58:00.000-07:00

This week I have been quite frustrated. I'm not going to lie.. EXTREMELY frustrated. And in thinking about why I am frustrated, how unproductive it is, and how I can remedy this feeling of total annoyance, it brought to mind the concept of attachment. In Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths discuss such attachment.

1. The Nature of Suffering (Dukkha):

"This is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair are suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering."

2. Suffering's Origin (Samudaya):

"This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there, that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination."

3. Suffering's Cessation (Nirodha):

"This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: it is the remainderless fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, nonreliance on it."

4. The Way (Mārga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering:

"This is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is the Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration."

After meditating on these concepts, it's clear that my frustration is due to attachments. But it's something I already knew. I mean, DUH. Of course I am attached to things, and yes, DUH these attachments are BOUND to frustrate me at some point.. so the question is how am I going to eliminate these frustrations AND attachments?

First let's start with what I'm frustrated with and attached to....
Those who know me well, know that I am ridiculously self-competitive. Everyone always tells me: "Lis, you're too hard on yourself." Very True. I probably am. However, I know my potential, and I get VERY mad at myself when I fail to reach that benchmark.

I KNOW I can do it. It should be easy for me to do it, and yet I fail? Geezus, Leelee shame on you!

I also have very same high bars set for the people I know around me. And when they don't meet what I feel is easy, minor, or common sense, I get frustrated with them. This is where I start to sin. Where is my compassion, patience, and understanding? Oh yes, forgot to tell you, I lack those as well..

I could give you many examples about how friends of mine, or family members drive me absolutely nuts because how can they not clearly see the path they are supposed to take?! How come I could do it, and they can't??!! Can you see the problem.... it's very obvious.
I am trying to project my ideas of what the right path is for someone else!! HOW VAIN and arrogant is that?!!

Merton knows what I mean:

"To consider persons and events and situations only in the light of their effect upon myself is to live on the doorstep of hell. Selfishnessis doomed to frustration, centered as it is upon a lie. To live exclusivelyfor myself, I must make all things bend themselves to my willas if I were a god. But this is impossible. Is there any more cogentindication of my creaturehood than the insufficiency of my own will?For I cannot make the universe obey me. I cannot make other peopleconform to my own whims and fancies. I cannot make even my ownbody obey me. When I give it pleasure, it deceives my expectation andmakes me suffer pain. When I give myself what I conceive to be freedom,I deceive myself and find that I am the prisoner of my own blindnessand selfishness and insufficiency." from "No Man is an Island"

My way is not THE way.. everyone is at their own level, with their own goals, potentials, and benchmarks. They carve their own paths in their own ways. Just because I think they should take a left turn, rather than a right, doesn't mean they should or they will.
By trying to force my own opinions on them, I am actually causing another sin for myself by trying to take away their Free Will. I'm not God.. for even God gave us the right to choose our paths.

No wonder I am frustrated! But what does this mean?

Attachment #1:
This means that clearly I am a control freak. I am attached to my control over others. This is the first thing I need to let go. With that, hopefully the first two steps of the Middle Way will come into play:

1. Right View

Right view is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and to understand things as they really are and to realise the Four Noble Truth. As such, right view is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Right view is not necessarily an intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence. Instead, right view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all things. Since our view of the world forms our thoughts and our actions, right view yields right thoughts and right actions.

2. Right Intention

While right view refers to the cognitive aspect of wisdom, right intention refers to the volitional aspect, i.e. the kind of mental energy that controls our actions. Right intention can be described best as commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement. Buddha distinguishes three types of right intentions: 1. the intention of renunciation, which means resistance to the pull of desire, 2. the intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings of anger and aversion, and 3. the intention of harmlessness, meaning not to think or act cruelly, violently, or aggressively, and to develop compassion.

Thomas Merton phrases this rather nicely:

"...In religious terms, this is simply a matter of accepting life, and
everything in life as a gift, and clinging to none of it, as far as you are
able. You give some of it to others, if you can. Yet one should be able to
share things with others without bothering too much about how they
like it, either, or how they accept it. Assume they will accept it, if they
need it. And if they don't need it, why should they accept it? That is
their business. Let me accept what is mine and give them all their share,
and go my way." ~Thomas Merton

Omnes in Christo unum!!

Self-annihilate the ego, attachments, and the will (in this case PATH) that we feel we make for ourselves, and find not emptiness, but your complete self, unified....

Certainly a point to ponder for today.

Floor's open to comments!!

Tis True, Teachers

2009-03-05T15:20:00.000-08:00

Lent Day 5

2009-03-01T05:22:00.001-08:00

Extremely well said comment,Earl. Christ's Sacrifice is truly the cornerstone of Christianity...but I'm not talking about Christianity in general. Bring it even more specific. What sets Catholics as Catholics specifically within Cristianity? Here's my thought - The Eucharist. To me, that's why I go to a Catholic Church. Something so intimate as being present for the Transubstantiation, and taking the Eucharist...

The Handsome one has been asking me questions about Lent, and why we don't eat meat on Fridays, things like that. I try to explain it to him, but it leaves me as such.. when I explain the reason, as I'm saying it, I'm thinking wait a minute, this must sound so silly to him.. wait.. does this soud still y to me? Or even worse, I don't know the true reason behind it... so it looks like I don't know my own faith and I am a true Cradle Catholic..

Ok people, how do I deal with this one? Floor's open..

Lent Day 2

2009-02-26T16:20:00.000-08:00

Today is the second day of Lent. After going through the Ash Wendesday Mass, it's now time to decide on a theme, and go with it for the duration of the 40 days.
In talking with a great friend of mine, and discussing my issues with my faith and religion, he suggested that I select the theme of Back to the Roots... get back to the roots of my faith, and see if I can find what I'm looking for there. I thought that was a fabulous idea, so that's what I'm going to do.. Begin at the beginning.

Bereshit, there was nothing...... Perfect- that's exactly where I am at. In the great black nothingness.. but it's everything..rather Buddhist if you think about it.. Ok now what.
What are the fundamentals? What is the most basic of being a Catholic? The cornerstone?

I open the floor up to everyone..

Beautiful sunny day

2009-02-24T07:23:00.000-08:00

After the deluge of snow that pounded the state, I'm glad to say we've finally dug out.
Not a lot going on this week. Work is going to be busy. Davey and I hope to get out and do more snowshoeing. He's getting ready for his up-coming flyshows - 6 more to go until the season is over.

AND NOW, my favorite Holiday... yes, folks, it's that time again.. yes, it's Lent..

Yes I know that's not a holiday, but to me it is. To me it's the perfect season of inner reflection, deep soul searching, and the time to ask those profound questions I have been putting of.

So, how am I doing as a person? a Catholic person? a human being in the universe in general?
How am I doing as far as my relationship goes? Am I being a good girlfriend, am I where I need to be to be a good wife?

.. and on and on..

Usually I have a theme, picking a virtue, or some such topic...

So perhaps you will catch me blathering on on this blog, trying to work through..

I SHOULD do the Spiritual Exercises, but I'm not feeling all that Jesuit-y these days..

Unless someone out there has a topic for me.. (Jean, I already know what you're going to say..*L*)

Ok.. so Bon Mardi Gras, mes amis!!

PS
This is the funniest thing I've seen in a while...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPYChyfxWNs

Sunnier day?

2009-02-17T07:11:00.000-08:00

Today is a beautiful day. After a fantastic Valentine's weekend, where Davey and I spent some wonderful quality time snowshoeing on the Hobbit Trail, and going to dinner at our fave spot (Riverfront BBQ), and just hanging out, it's now back to work time. So how do I feel today?

At home, Davey and I decided to get healthy. We bought some books on health and eating, and are trying the lower carb, higher lean protein (no, not just lean meats, but almonds, soy, etc.), and cutting out the sugar. All sugar.. including tomatoes and onions... BUT HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MAKE SALSA???!!!

This morning we got up at 5:30 and got on the treadmill and Gazelle and watched the morning news while exercising. We then had healthy protein filled omelets for breakfast, and I am happy to say that I felt good and not hungry until lunchtime...

Yesterday, as far as that goes, I had a detox of a time. Lack of sugar and caffeine caused me fatigue and a headache, and extreme grouchiness (sorry Davey.. ) but it was gone after a good night's sleep.

Other than that, things are going primo. Work today is going better. I feel clearer, a little more encouraged, and left Friday feeling like maybe B. and I can come up with a way where a few things gets fixed. I've had a "come to Jesus" with the NH issue...so I'll just help wherever I can, and take the knowledge that I learned out of it, which is quite substantial.

In other geek news, I bought an EasyCap off of ebay the other day. The purpose of this gadget was that Davey needed a demo on a VHS tape to be put not only on DVD, but autoscripted to loop for his fly shows.. It took me about 20 minutes to get it done, which is really reasonable.

One thing I'm really happy about from this weekend was getting to have lunch with Carrie.. I really miss that girl, and it was great catching up. She looks absolutely fabulous, and seems like things are going great for her and Jon. I feel bad we don't talk more.. Sounds like we're going through a lot of the same issues too. Faith wise and such.. but it was really good to see her.

SO to end today, things are going better... We'll see what tomorrow brings.. but I'm a tad more encouraged. Maybe it's because the sun has been shining, and I have been able to get outside and play a bit.. that's probably it.. things look worse with cabin fever perhaps?? Spring is on its way!

Be the change

2009-02-11T15:42:00.000-08:00

So says Ghandi....

Today was slightly better, though not by much. But I came to an enlightenment today. The change starts with me. So, painful as this is going to be, I'm going to have to stop, and take stock of my work ethic, failures, as well as strengths (let's not be completely depressing here) and try to move forward in a productive and positive manner. Meanwhile, I'm going to try very hard not to get discouraged.

But here's what I think.. what happens at my job has absolutley no bearing on who I am as a person.. I'm going to keep repeating that until I start believing it. No bearing on who I am as a person. I think I'm a nice person. I think as a person I am somewhat competent, though every day I am feeling less and less smart. Maybe..just maybe those ASVAB people were right about me..

Ok.. so positive action. I will take the suggestions that B. is going to give me.. and I am expecting them to be harsh statements.. but I asked for them.. because I need to know where I stand... how else can I move forward, and FURTHERMORE how can I dare stand there and bitch about other people when I'm not even looking at myself. That's not very fair.. so I am going to take these statements, and use them as a jumping off point to get better.. to be better.

If the statements come back that I have nopotential on this path.. then I shall take that, and find another direction to take.. I am thinking that perhaps if things get parental around here, that maybe following a teacher's schedule might be the best course of action. So I plan on taking the necessary steps to maybe have that as an option.

I am tired of worrying about this. Tired of questioning myself. I used to be more confident than this..I jst feel bad Davey has to put up with me.

keeping focus

2009-02-10T16:29:00.000-08:00

I'm having a bit of a low day today.

What started out as an extremely productive day,m where I was learning all sorts of wonderful programming things, turned to an afternoon of self-doubt, and discouragement. How did that happen? Maybe my blood sugar was low, and things seemed much worse than they really are...could be. Or is it the fact that my morale is completely depleted due to work issues. Things are being handled not as well as they could have there, though I will refrain from giving details, nothing juicy, I'm sorry to say..

However, I am woman enough to say that I am willing to take responsibilities for my failures... I have many, I admit they were my fault. But others, I've been the scapegoat as of late, and it's getting rather discouraging.

So this has led to what. I'm feeling not very confident about myself. My intelligence, my work ethic, my weight - I feel horrendously fat..., all of it. If it wasn't for Davey making me smile, and making me very happy to see him.. hmm.. it would all probably be much much worse.

I have to remind myself that so far I've only bee doing jobs that were easy, that I could do with my eyes closed, with really no challenge. So I took this job as an opportunity to learn, to hone my programming skills, and to do what I really like to do (databases). So if they don't like me, and don't like the work I do.. at least I can walk away with having learned lots, and maybe had a very small hand in analyzing the data that changes policy - aka the legislation on BAC testing in accidents that's going in front of the legislature currently. I have been re-assured with the " Don't be ridiculous.... no one is thinking of asking you to go" statement.. but the seed of fear has been planted, and it's not going anywhere for a while.

Remedy? Ok.. so what I have to do to not get completely annihilated here, is to focus on positive things.. ok what are they..

1. Davey. He's wonderful. I love him, and I can't wait to marry him. nuff said.

2. Health... need to focus on my running and weight training...WAAY more than I have been.

3. School - so after the wedding I will start- actually - re-start grad school. Very excited about that

4. In April I get to teach again.. yay!

5. Mumma is doing well, and so far no cancer activity...

6. I have wonderful freinds and family who gve me great advice.. things like : You don't own it, Leelee... or work is work, and it has no bearing on the kind of person you are. Falaalaa

All wonderful points, but very hard to remember when you're in the thick of a big mess.

You know what I need? I need to run.. I need to do Yoga, and clear my mind.. get centered... feel better about myself.

Argh.. I need to go to bed and read a good book, and call it a night.. tomorrow will be better. It has to be.. when you're at the bottom of the barrel, the only way is up..

And finally, no matter what happens, I will be ok... just keep focused!

2009-01-23T10:55:00.000-08:00

A fascinating flow chart from FlowingData.com...

Getting hit by lightning

2008-12-22T11:15:00.001-08:00

As most of you know, this year our Allagash trip was rather. hmm... electrifying. Our site was hit by lightning, including effects to Davey's father, Aunt Karen, and Uncle Bill...I promised to show the pictures of the tree that got annhialated I didn't forget, and here they are...

Home for the Holidays

2008-12-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

Davey and I hosted a dinner for his family today. It was a mish-mash of laughing, story-telling, and Bob the Builder. There were 10 of us around the extended kitchen table...2 bottles of our Port, a healthy serving of lasagne, and homemade meatballs, in my own special speghetti sauce...and a successful holiday gathering was had.

I think it was great that everyone could come together and have a great time! I bonded with my soon-to-be-nephew.. We watched Bob the Builder, and put together a Christmas Puzzle. :)

So a friend of mine suggested I keep up with my blog more. I agree.. I promise I shall make the time once a week to sit and write.

Consider it my New year's resolution..

I'll write again soon!

2008-11-20T11:54:00.001-08:00

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Which is which?

2008-10-19T16:17:00.001-07:00

Debate - fey style

2008-10-05T07:32:00.001-07:00

Political Entertainment Tonight...

2008-10-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

While at the gym, and on the treadmill last night, and being the news junkie that I am, I figured I'd switch the tv over to a news channel to see what they would say about the VP debate later that evening..

What I found instead was an unbelieveable interview BLASTING Barney Frank (aka Paul Sorvino wanna-be), in a scathing attack on his handling of the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac issue..

if you haven't seen it, I mean really, check it out. You can see it here. *LOL*

Now to the VP debate..

I couldn't help myself.. Law and Order was a re-run so I chose to watch the VP debate.. I couldn't help it. So out of sheer entertainment depravity, I watched the debate.

If you weren't able to catch it, you can watch the whole thing in its entirety here

My thoughts:

Palin did as well as could be expected for someone who was having their first national debate, especially against sonmeone like Biden.
Biden has over 30 years of experience flinging facts and figures about the Senate floor, so it is to be expected he was at ease, comfortable, and ready to present the facts.

Biden clearly went easy on her, and chose to attack McCain, rather than her. As VP, yes this is what they had to do, since neither of them are actually going to be in charge of policy decisions.

You could tell the areas where Palin was passionate because she quit trying to use big words, and started talking like herself..energy policy her her deal.. so why didn't McCain put her on his cabinet as the head of the Energy Dept. NOT VP.

And on that note.. what was with the overuse of the big words? Don't play their game, Sarah.. communicate regularly... it just looked like you were totally coached and over-doing it.

Gwen Ifill's questions could have been a tad more specific, but she did do a nice job in moderating the candidates in regards to the time allotments to speak.
I'm glad there's only one VP debate.. I don't think I could sit through another one.

On economics and Health Care, in my opinion, she didn't sell McCain's vision at all.
Biden had a clear step by step outline, which made it easier for the audience to digest. Palin was a bit all over the place on that one.

I have more commentary to say on this, however, I don't have the time to put full focus on this at the moment. So I shall blog about it more later..

Palin/Clinton

2008-09-30T19:11:00.001-07:00

People have been asking me for the full video for these, (this one, and the one below) so here it is.. enjoy!

Palin needs a lifeline

2008-09-30T19:08:00.001-07:00

PR at the Triathalon

2008-09-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

I ran in the Demi Esprit Olympique Team Relay this past weekend in Montreal. I am pleased to say that I achieved a PR (1:18:36) , beating my Beach 2 Beacon time by a full 2 minutes! Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to put us in the upper echelon, rank wise, but we did finish a lovely 27th.

THE TEAM
Me, M.D, and M.B
(a.k.a run, swim, bike)

They wrote on me! not a bad number.. actually my extension number at an old job.. the also wrote on the back of my legs, adding my age.. nice, except when you're running, and people with higher ages pass you.. grr...

M.D. is ready to tackle that water.....

Nice shot of M.B. about to round the curve in the velodrome...

My turn.. This is at the 3-mile mark.. many more to go....

The straightaway to the finish line.. It's right about here, the Atomic Fireball I was eating kicked in, and I flew across that line...

Post-race loungin..i don't know what was in that wrap, but frankly at the time, I didn't care...

I what?! I beat my Beach 2 Beacon time??!!!

Davey and I basking in the glow of success!!!

Aftermath:

After the race, Dave and I walked around Montreal.. three reasons:
1. we wanted to see a bit of the city
2. we both needed a starbucks hit BADLY
3. if I stopped for too long, I had a feeling I would cramp and never be able to move again.

The 6 hour ride home through QC (PQ) , VT, and NH gave ample time for my body to stiffen up, and not talk about the wedding. I didn't have it in me, and I didn't have "THE SPREADSHEET" handy. So we talked about other things, like work.

We got home around 11pm, where we somehow got our second wind, and decided to watch SNL.
I have to say I could not tell the difference between Tina Fey, and Sarah Palin..what a great job!

And the line about her foreign policy experience, where her response was

" I can see Russia from my house"

... I nearly fell out of my chair...

For now, I am a tad sore... getting up and down the stairs is hmm.. interesting.. but I'm trying to get it in under 3 minutes..

The whole time I have been limping around, it reminds me of the episode of perfect strangers when they over do it at the gym then have a date that night.... if you haven't seen it.. here it is in its entirety...

All in all, a GREAT weekend... I told Dave it's HIS turn to come up with an adventure........

Delorme Download Data Dollars

2008-09-09T03:45:00.000-07:00

So my little PN-20 needed some new maps. The only problem is that I don't have that kind of $$ to spend on it. WHen I bought the GPS, it came with $100 worth of DeLorme Download Data Dollars to use with Topo USA 7.0 in order to get data sets and maps. Unfortunately, it didn't take me long to go through it. SO I have been on the prowl for a good deal on downloads. Well I finally found it!! Someone on eBay is auctioning off Download Dollars!!! $35 for $100 worth!!! SIGN ME UP!

Palin

2008-09-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

So did you watch the speech last evening?

I have to say that I'm torn.

I like her. I think she's a normal person. Real down to earth with small town values. She seems like someone I have met at the post office before.

Her policies.. hmm.. drilling? nuclear? bad ideas I think...

most of all, I'm trying to figure out how she does her hair like that..

I do like her glasses, though...

The Jackie-O outfit of last ngiht has to go, though..

I think pantsuits would be better for her,than for Hillary.

As for the whole point of putting a feminine face on the ticket to counteract Obama's LACK of doing so:

Other than the breath of fresh air, with tough in the woods upbringing that I certainly know about, I wonder if dear Sarah can survive the nasty side of politics.?
Carly Fiorina would have been a more viscious choice politically, but non-likeability to most (which is unfortunate). But I have a feeling she will either be on the cabinet, or run for California Governor as the rumors say.
Olympia Snowe was a great choice policy-wise, and likeabiliy, but she lacks enthusiasm, and that actress sparkle at the podium. Plus "Jock" isn't interested in moving again..

All in all I think she's a great choice, just because I think it will darned entertaining.. AND I am DYING to see the debate between her and Biden. I think she will get catty.. put that old windbag in his place..

we shall see....

It's a Bird...It's a Plane... no, it's a...

2008-09-02T18:41:00.001-07:00

Flying Squirrel!
Dave caught this little guy in our have a heart traps, as we were trying to catch whatever has been chewing our porch to bits. We think it's the same little bugger who was in our kitchen last winter.

What to do with him? There was no WAY we could risk losing karma points, so we packed him up, and drove him out of town, and dropped him off at a school yard, where he will enjoy warmth through the year, and yummy public school food.

Good deed done for the day.

Now, hopefully there is no more munching up there! We set the trap again...are there more?

What are you thinking?

2008-08-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

I found a video clip of that kite-boarder who got smashed into a building by the tropical storm winds in Florida.

Kiddo, what were you thinking? Tropical storm.. evacuate.. no no.. I'm going out to Kiteboard.. It's like those surfers in Hawaii looking for that huge wave.. adrenaline rush pushing the envelope...but really what kind of Ben Franklin idea was THAT??

One more question.. When he hit the sand, why didn't he let go of the kite?

Pocketmail pinings

2008-08-13T06:03:00.000-07:00

Finally, a beautiful day after all that ridiculous rain we've been having. It's supposed to get up to 80 today - yay! I'm going to the gym after work today... MUST get running.. Montreal is inching closer and closer.

I'm frustrated to find that the company that produces Pocketmail composers are completely out of stock, and will NOT be getting any more until Christmas time.. whereas that's not so far away, still annoying.. oh well.

Working on project measures today. Actually interesting stuff. Unrusting my SAS skills for it, though I am really looking forward to my official SAS training in October!!

I'm lacking sleep today, and over-doing coffee.. I'm thinking it's not a good combo, but we'll see what happens.

And the funny of the day...

Music to study economics..

2008-08-08T07:03:00.001-07:00

http://divisionoflabour.com/music/

Now this I could get into !

The Flow of Data

2008-07-15T05:35:00.001-07:00

I would like to take a moment to direct your attention to a new blog/website I just found...Flowing Data

Bluntly put, this site is enough to make this research analyst hyperventilate.....or some such orgasmic expression....

Take a moment to check out the spread of Walmarts over the years...

I am stepping off my soapbox now..

Wow..

Weekend in Bar Harbor

2008-07-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, my wonderful boyfriend decided to take me away for the weekend to Bar Harbor for my birthday. It was a beautiful sunny weekend where much walking, much hiking, and way too much eating took place. Darn that Ice Cream! Darn that Blueberry, soft serve ice cream!!And the pizza.. and the beer.... ahem.. ya. darn it.

As we headed up Route 3, coast bound, we decided that we both were really hungry. Dave wanted hot dogs.. I wanted a place that offered vegetarian-ish choices. As we pulled into Bucksport, our hunger was ravenous, I ditched my vegetarian dreams, and told Dave that the first burger joint, pub, or hot dog stand he saw, pull over..

Appearing on the left was "Wo's BBQ".

Wo's is a little ice cream stand that offered BBQ sauce they make themselves to accompany pulled pork and chicken, lobster, and oh what's this? A BBQ black bean veggie burger??? EXCUSE ME? I'll TAKE IT!
Davey of course got a 2 dog hot dog basket with hand cut fries. Top it all off with their homemande BBQ sauce - which is fantastic, by the way, and we were set.

I have to say that the people who own/work at Wo's have got to be the NICEST people I have ever met. Completely hospitable, made absolutely sure we had everything we needed, brought our food to us. It was such a delight, and we have now decided that we will stop at Wo's every time we go through Bucksport.

But we weren't done yet.. Shain's of Maine Ice Cream, where Wo's had creatd their own called "Sweet Heat". I simply HAD to inquire. Bascially, they took pecans, roasted them with cayenne pepper, and then shoved them into chocolate ice cream. They gave me a sample.

Now let me tell you. I can handle a lot of things. I can even handle a pizza where the sauce is Texas Pete's Hot Sauce. I don't know what kind of peppers these pecans were doused with, but let me tell you. I think it burnt the skin right off the back of my throat. They were standing there.. waiting for my reaction. I had to take it like a woman. No tears, no skewed facial expressions. A simple, "well that's different", hmm I think I'll take a scoop of Moose Tracks instead.

I waited until I sat at the table before confessing my suffering. Dave was smart enough to pass on the sample. So, he actually got to taste the rest of his ice cram, and everything else we ate this weekend, unlike me who had no sense of taste until Saturday evening.

Back on the road, we enjoyed the views of a typical small coastal town. The ships in the harbor, the quaint shops where everything is ridiculously over-priced, and tout catchy names, such as "The Baits Motel" and "Angler's Restaurant"
Penobscot Narrows Bridge
Coming around a corner, we got our first glimpse of the bridge - it's huge.

We noticed that there were windows on the first tower - an observatory! We will have to check that out next time we come through, and have more time.

Our time in Bar Harbor was great! We walked around the centre ville several times... smelled the "fair smell" the whole thing seemed to give off. We were amazed at the umpteen shops that had Bar Harbor t-shirts, or Maine sweatshirts. Honestly! We browsed Cadillac Mountain Sports, and Acadia Mountain Sports because we love looking at camping and outdoor gear.

Saturday morning we hit the trail, after some coffee, a very long walk down some residential streets, and a veggie sandwhich at a cafe. We hit the Loop Trail, and began our search for the trailhead to the Bubbles.

The Bubbles are the left-over debris from the glacier that covered much of Maine eaons ago. The deposits are in the form of boulder-like forms, that look like bubbles.

Ahh.. we made it to the Pond!

Once you're at Jordan Pond, you can follow the trail that leads around the pond.

This is the bridge beginning the trail, and these planks go the entire distance of the trail. The Trail Team wants to protect the vegetation around the pond, so this forces people to stay on track.Finally, we made it to the other side of the pond..see how far we've come??

We decided rather than trudge through that labyrinth of bubbles back UP the mountain, we would take the paved road back... As we walked a shuttle bus stopped and asked if we wanted a ride - how nice!! This whoe trip has been filled with nothing but nice people!!
2 1/2 miles later, we're back at the car..

We were thinking about what we wanted for dinner. I suggested.. pizza and beer. GREAT IDEA...yum! we called Dysarts to have it ready for us by the time we were done walking around.

Dave had to go into "The Man Store", as he is ever searching for a good cigar. He bought two. I can't complain, they didn't smell as chalky as the ones he bought in Hallowell last week. Honey, just stick to the AVO 80s, and CAO Maduros yes? (those are my favorites)

To finish up the evening, we ate pizza, had two sips of beer, and crashed immediately, while watching "Deadliest Catch"...

five hours later, I was wide awake, looking blearily at the clock, only to find it said 3:15 am.

I listened to my iPod for awhile - "Gangleader for A Day" by Sudhir Vankatesh. Great book!

Next thing I know, Davey's awake as well, and had turned the TV back on. Oh good. The same episode of Deadliest Catch we had fallen asleep on was on it's second run-through..so I didn't miss a crab pot.

Sunday we made our way back home, travelling through Camden, and Belfast. We got home around noon, and spent the rest of the day puttering, and getting things done.

It was a great weekend - exactly what I wanted for my birthday!! Thanks Sweetheart!

Turning 30

2008-07-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

So.. in less than 3 hours I will turn 30. I'm sitting here wondering why I don't feel the typical stigma attached to it. I don't feel any different. I don't feel older, or wiser. I can probably say with adequate certainty that I wouldn't make some of the mistakes I made when I was..oh say, 20. So perhaps I am a tad wiser.
Yet other than that, I have to say that I have no regrets for anything I've done or not done in my first 30 years. Everything I have wanted to try, or learn about, I have done. I moved to the city, did what I needed to do there, learned what I needed to learn, met whom I needed to meet, and then moved out of the city just as I came in - looking forward. I stayed until it was time.

And now I am where I need to be, and who I need to be with, ready to start the next 30 years of my life together with him. So what's ahead. A wedding, continuance with my career, finishing grad school, maybe having a child, travelling,maybe having a few more adventure, and never ever stop learning and laughing.

Well if that's what's in store, I say bring it on!! I'm ready!

I am ready to be 30!
YAY! Happy Birthday to me!

4th Weekend

2008-07-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

What an awesome weekend!

On Friday, we lounged around in the morning. The stick hot humidity the July morning brought made it impossible to get motivated. We slept in late, thanks to late night before, coupled with the strong port.
Once we did rouse from the cool air of the air conditioner and our arms wrapped around each other, we opened the bedroom door to have the sultry heat smack us in the faces.
Coffee... we need coffee..

I bumbled downstairs and started the process.. get the cups out, the saucer and a spoon, open the sugar bowl for him, and now wait.. wait for beeeeeeep that the black steamy, caffinated goodness is ready.

After the coherence o lait kicked in, we planned our day.

1.Putty the closet.
2.Go to Cabela's
3.Hit LL Bean on the way home
4.BBQ for dinner

Cabela's was hmm all hubub for nothing, really...it's a Bean's knockoff, where the prices are cheaper by a bit. And that's about it. I bought a pair of new hiking pants, and two shirts. dave bought a hawiian shirt, and looked at more BB guns.
They now have a atomatic rifle that shoots 2100 ft./sec.. c'mon.. WHO NEEDS SUCH A THING?

On the way home we went to Bean's. I looked around for more clothes, we hit the camping aisle. I saw a water bottle I wanted. The new kind that doesn't emit those bad chemicals that the plastic ones do. Davey wanted me to go away so he could buy it for my birthday. I said.. nah it's too expensive, don't bother..
So he put it down. :)

There was a concert outside - Bean's Summer Concert Series.. Toby Lightman.. have no clue who she is, but she sang beautifully.. the place was packed.
We walked around Freeport a bit, listening to the singing reverberating out into the streets, and smelling the sauteeing onions from all the hot dog vendor carts along the street.

We decided it was time to head home and BBQ.

by the time we got home, we had gone through the huge bag of trail mix we had bought at Hannaford's and decided we were not BBQing tonight. We crashed shortly after a few episodes of Law and Order.

Saturday brought a motivated day where we did absolutely nothing except walk from Hallowell to Augusta and back. We stopping into the Cigar shoppe in Hallowell, where Dave bought 2 cigars, which later we found were horrible. They smelled like.. plaster.. chalk.. those are the only words I can describe it.. blech..

Then we went to see Hancock with Wil Smith. Davey liked it, and I'm very glad. It was funny.. took a twist and turn in the middle, but all in all, another hit for Wil.

Sunday brought an 11:05 showing of Indiana Jones 4. here's all I have to say.. the minute I saw the word Nazca lines, I knew exactly where the movie was headed --> XFiles. My many years of study on all things ancient and paranormal allows this ability to know an x file when I see it..

Indy, sadly got old. And his son leaves much to be desired. So ya I'm glad I saw it and got it out of the way, but The Last Crusade is still the winner above all by far..

Next, I want to see "Wanted"..

We then went to see my parents, since my mother's frequent phone calls alluded to the fact that she missed me. It was a lovely visit, not for too long, and we got home around 7.. we were for some reason rather exhausted. I think teh heat and humidity have something to do with that. But we were tired, watched Deadliest Catch for a while, then crashed.. a successful weekend of REST. Yee haa..

Bottling Port

2008-06-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

So! We bottled our Port last night.
It's quite an itneresting and fun process. All in all we ended up with 36 bottles of the most potent and smooth wine I have ever tasted.
These are going to make great Christmas presents!

On the left, this is the carboy which is holding all of the wine at the end of its fermentation period. We tasted it to determine how much Brandy we would need to add in order to make it a smooth true Port.

We were suprised to find it had a chocolate taste - probably infused in the concentrate from the beginning. We were concerned that this may ruin the port, but once we add the brandy, that should kill ANY such flavor.

We ended up adding 3 bottles of E&J Brandy. Then we tested it. Dave seems to like it!

Now time to bottle...

This is the carboy cyphoning into the bottles.

AH "cork-it", Dave..

Et voila! Several bottles out of 36 finished!
To be enjoyed with a cigar and a bench on the porch..

Training session

2008-06-19T08:05:00.001-07:00

Training.. yes.. how silly of me to actually think I'm going to make it to the gym.
YA! RIGHT!

BUT, I did get a run in.. I ran around the neighborhood. Did pretty good time for a first run in a while. Plus my sinuses were killing me by the time I was done. I'll do it again tonight, and see if my time improves.

After my run, I talked with Dave in his office while he made admin cables. My mother called, and we put her on speakerphone. We spent an HOUR talking with her about wedding plans. We've got the guest list down for the most part. Now.. the WHEREs and HOWs.
We have several options of places. We just need to do a cost-benefit analysis, and see if we can have what we initially envisioned come to light with our budget.
Of course our views differ greatly from my mother's views. But that's ok.. I will let her say her bit, and then the final decision will be Mine and Dave's.

But she's a GREAT personal assistant. I have her hot on the trail of guest addresses and phone numbers. So if you want to save her some time, give her a call, and update her address book, please. :)

Tonight we're bottling our Port. I hope to have some pics up by tomorrow, documenting the lovely process. We bought pretty blue 750ml bottles. I have to think up some labels.
Our next batch will be a white and a red for the wedding. we thought that might be nice to have one of each on each table.
We're going to need a wine cellar pretty quick.

Training begins today

2008-06-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

Training for the triathalon starts today!
Whoohoo!
Today I am going to go to the gym, and do a full upper body work out, then run the rest of it. Since it's day 1, I'm interested to see how rusty I am. Last time I took this kind of break, I could only do 2 miles. Hopefully I'm about that or better.

This is the basic training plan I'm going to follow straight through to September.
I'm going to add hill training in there as well, probably every Wednesday.

I will keep you posted on my progress...

Triathalon...in training

2008-06-17T08:34:00.001-07:00

Huge news!

I was asked to be the runner in a relay triathalon in Montreal in September! I am ridiculously excited!! My part is the 10K portion to finish the race.

I haven't run a race since Beach to Beacon, so I'm a tad rusty.. But I have a few months to get back into the swing of it. Luckily there are a lot of hills around the neighborhood, so I will be tackling those quite frequently. Plus the trail to Augusta will be great to get pace times as well, since it is a 10-K..

Did I mention I was excited?

Tuesday part deux

2008-06-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

Successfully set up a Twitter account today..so I can text from my phone what I'm currently up to, and it updates on my blog..how cool is that... check it out on the left..

Tuesday

2008-06-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

I woke up to the whirring sound of the air conditioner. It's on 63 COLD, and the fan on level 2, but I'm still kind of hot. I think my sunburn is to blame.
I feel Dave's lips brush against my ear, kissing me good morning.
Ahh.. I wish we could stay like this forever.. I was so comfy..
But no.. it was 6:30.. time to get a-movin.. coffee to be made!!

Well, so far it's been an uneventful day, which is good. I finished one report, and started on the CODES stuff. Sent that out to K. I'm a month behind on my timesheets, and I had the HRpolice come and track me down.. ok ok I'll get those out before the afternoon is ovah.

I'm second-guessing the iPod Touch. For now at least..there are too many things I need first before I go buying something that expensive. For instance, I need new glasses.. that's an iPod right there! Then.. I have to help pay for some things for the house..
And finally, oh yes.. wedding $$$..
So really, I have no business buying any such thing right now. So, I'll hold off. :)
I can use my other MP3 player until then. No biggie.

Old Friends

2008-06-09T09:47:00.001-07:00

I happened to check out my old freind G's blog. It was great to check out the exciting happenings in her life. Her family, she's still with H, she's moved to M.C. now, and still in Grad school.
I sometimes miss my life I had with those freinds. The deep conversations, the parties, the drinking lots and lots of wine at J's house, having discussions with Charles Long, etc.
Those were the good times.
Why am I not that person anymore. Ahh life happens and we change and evolve.
I guess that's par for the course.
I am extremely happy with my life.
I think for the first time in a LONG time I am truly happy and content.
I am going to marry the man I'm deeply in love with.
We're going to take care of our house, and maybe someday have a kid or two to fill it with.
We're going to go to work, take vacations, do yardwork, and probably even get a mini-van at some point.
How the hell did I get here? .
The one with big dreams of Grad School in Ottawa. Never got there.
The one who wanted to be the Archaeology major. Never got there.
Guess what.. don't NEED to get there.
I may have never got where I thought I would be, but the universe has put me exactly where I SHOULD be and NEED to be and WANT to be.

All the people I have met, and have been friends with, the places I've seen, the experiences I've had...They all have made me exactly who I am today.
And who is that?
A research analyst, who lives in a nice neighborhood with the man she loves.
I drive an economical vehicle.
I clip coupons and recycle.
I'm even attempting to garden.
I am becoming a suburban housewife -holy shit.
But I still love to hike.
I can talk Derrida and Descartes with the best of them.
If I try real hard, I could prbably still read Egyptian heiroglyphics like I could in high school.
I keep up to date on politics and current events.
I still feel that all who wander are not lost..
I still know my wine, dammit..
And I still love life.

That rambled on to nowhere near how I started, but just to show you my evolution thus far.
It's amazing on what makes contentment over the years.
G., you inspired me to reflect... *L*

Bikin The Railroad

2008-06-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I had a brilliant idea..
Why not get on the bike, and see how far I can go? I've been dormant all winter, and my behind is suffering from some major secretarial spread, and I'm completely out of shape. Let's see just how much..

So the next morning, off I went..

My goal -To go from my house in West Gardiner to Panera Bread in Augusta. One way 16.48 miles ( at least that's what MapQuest says).
I left at noon, headed down through Gardiner to pick up the Kennebec Rail Trail. The trail goes all the way to downtown Augusta. Not bad.. mostly downhill. But you know what that means on the way home, don't you....

Now to make matters worse, my MP3 player was on the fritz, so no music while I pedalled.
Along the way, I took some time to gaze out at the river, and the many little waterfalls that dotted the woodsy areas along the trail.

Once I got into Augusta, I cut across by Cumby's , because I was NOT, I repeat NOT doing the St. Augustine hill. Down, maybe. Up FORGET IT.
So this means I'm travelling on the very busy Civic Center Drive.. yikes.. No near misses, however I found it difficult because the breakdown lane was miniscule to say the least.
At any rate, I reached Panera and hour and a half later. Took a few minutes to rest, drink some water, and call Dave to let him know I made it. Now.. time to go home.
Every downhill I enjoyed on the way there was met with a major UPHILL on the way home.
By the time I reached Hallowell, I was feeling the burn. But I pushed onward.
To add to all of this, the sun was beating down upon me, and I was getting quite a sunburn.
Yes, we fair-skinned nordic girls get burned easily.
At any rate, I made it to the New Mills stores with enough anergy.. bouth a Gatorade, and the Sunday paper. From there, it was two more hills, and I was home.

From reading all of this, you would think that I hated my ride. Just the opposite.. I loved every minute of it!!! I love pushing myself as hard as I can...I love feeling the burn, the exhaustion, and then pushing past it. Hmm.. I'm probably sadistic that way, but I always do.

I rewarded myself with a hot shower, a tasty salad, and several episodes of Law and Order.

Made for a wonderful Sunday...

I can't believe it's only 11am..

2008-06-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

Are you telling me it's only 11:15 am?

I've been here since 8, trying to finish up a 3 report project, so that my boss can go and make a 10am presentation to the Maine CDC. This project, I think, was the most complicated, in-depth thing I could have ever worked on. So many angles, so many aspects to take into consideration.. 2 month windows, 1 year observations, between 2 and 12 month observation, more than 1 year observations.. mono-tratement? combo-treatment? The list goes on and on, not to mention the theraputic class debacle.. Well that should get resolved at a later date.
At any rate, I really am glad Becky was here to help me out. I learned TONS, and now maybe other, less complicated projects won't intimidate me so darn much..

As payment for such help, I have offered to buy her dinner at Margaritas, but she had something better in mind. And so, in 2 weeks, I will be working as waitstaff at her daughter's wedding.

Somehow, I will probably need a maragarita anyway..

Let's see.. what else is going on. My friend, Annette is back from her lovely vacation in the Canadian Rockies.. Such a well deserved vacation! I'm glad she had a great time.

I'm reading Garrett the Onion's blog a lot recently. He is a fellow Econ major, and he is hilarious.
Check it if you don't believe me: http://garrettheonion.blogspot.com

I am so incredibly busy, I can't believe it. I have all these great books I want to get to, and enjoy, but by the time I get to bed, I'm exhausted, or whatever.. so I usually don't get more than a sentence in.

I'm trying to get into the Archimedes Codex, where they found a paryerbook, whose pages really contain Archimedes missing writings. Very interesting. If only I didn't forget what the heck I've read.. how did I get to page 19???

Speaking of books, How am I going to get my bookstore running? I dont think people are going to be interested in the titles I have, but you never know. I have a book addiction, I realize, and don't want to SELL any, I want to keep them all and read them all, and have them as mine mine mine.. aren't I awful?

I made French baguette pizza last night, and the smell from the leftovers is attacking my nose from the red-lidded tupperware to my left.. mmm need it now.. it's 11:30.. that's acceptable, right? mmmm it's sooo good..

We watched a show the other night called "30 Days". It's the guy from "Supersize me" who takes on jobs for 30 days and gets in depth with the people it affects. There are some pretty rough conditions, working in W Virgina Coal mines. People do it because it comes with a $60,000/yr paycheck.. but the health effects like Black Lung, hmm don't seem worth it to me. But when you need to feed your family, I suppose you do what you have to.

Well, this afternoon I have a meeting, then I need to start working on that other project that has been on the back burner. Then tonight, I have GOT TO put that book database together, and start on Dave's. Then start listing the books into the bookstore.. I need to start making $$$ with this. Or else, why bother scoring inventory?

I have been thinking a lot about grad school. I start, I stop, I start I stop. What is wrong with me.I love school. I love to learn. I have zippo time to focus. Or I'm so ADD-ish that I can't focus.
Which irks me.. cuz I WANT this MBA BADLY.. apparently not badly enough.

I want to write some papers, maybe see where I can get them published.Maybe I can use some resources from work..like books on statistics, etc. I have TONS at home, so there's no reason not to do it. Write a paper on Maine land trust.. like Bald mountain, and the economic effects it has to the Franklin County hiking community.. something like that.

Or duh, how about writing a paper about my proble, in order to get a solution. Marketing used books online.. effective strategies..

I have too many interests, and that's going to bite me in the ass someday.. wait.. it probably has.

Backpacking and other random thoughts

2008-06-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, the boyfriend and I packed up a few things, and headed out to the White Mountains National Forest for some camping, some hiking, and apparently some male bonding.

"What?" you aske with that confused look. You heard me. See, Dave's friend had invited us to this camp spot where he goes every year on a particular weekend to get the family and friends together. We said Sure! We'll be there..... when we get there... somehow, the wives all knew better than to go? And so I was the ONLY girl there. hmmm...should be interesting.

7 Guys hanging around a campfire, talking about plows and trucks, andfixing trucks and cars and plows, and oh did I mention there were several conversations on trucks and plows?

No worries.. I saw there and wrote my PhD dissertation in my head whilst they chatted.

Saturday morning Dave and I headed out in the truck to find some good hikin. I have to tell you, the White Mountain National Forest is an outdoor enthusiast's playground. There are a plethora of mountains, some still snowcapped, and streams, waterfalls, fishin, hikin, you name it.

I wanted to go to Speckled Mountain, so we drove around and around, taking every back road we could find. Dave had his handy dandy PN-120 with him, so we could catch every possible sideroad. Finally we find the trailhead, and after chaning into our hiking boots, we headed out into the wilderness...

Here's a bit about the Bluebberry Mountain trail:
Trail Begins:

Trail begins at .6 mile beyond the Brickett Place at 1100 feet.Trail Ends: Trail ends at the junction of the Bickford Brook Trail to Speckled Mountain, near the summit of Ames Mountain, 2609 feet.Length: 3.6 miles

Along this hike, you come to this bustling stream, where the water has carved out the rock in a winding curve. Very beautiful.

Enjoy it because it's nothing but STEEP climbing from here.

As I climbed, my thoughts drifted to the ultrahikers I had been reading about in Backpacker Magazine. Francis Tapon and Garrett Christiensen.son?sen? Can't remember. Actually I should because I read his blog often enough. Go ECON majors!! WHoohoo!

How awesome the feeling must be to hike all those miles, and see new people and places. My problem? Not having enough time to do it. But from what I'm reading about both of them, they have families, and jobs, and grad school, and somehow STILL manage to make it happen. What am I missing here? Time? $$ ? Both? I dunno, but meditate, and answer find, I shall..mmmmm...

Several half hours later, we cut across a field, and apparently someone's yard, and picked up the trailhead that Dave's GPS promised was there. Soon we saw the truck, happily awaiting our return. We were exhausted, parched, and even a bit bloody - I had a horrendous blister on my heel....but both agreed that that was the best part of the weekend so far!

I needed that respite after a hallacious week at work that week. Since then things have been looking up and more positive. I just have to remember that when it gets rough like that, sometimes you need to "take a bath" like Archemides.. get a different prospective. Things are sure to look up.

walk again..

2008-05-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

So it is now three days since my first training session at the gym. It has been 15 hours since I could successfully walk again. Let me tell you people, I was put through the ringer. Strength training, biceps, triceps, abs.. one hour of complete muscle annihilation. The next day, I was so in pain, I couldn't get out of bed. But I did, and went to work. I felt the inflammation hit in the afternoon, and then the stiffening of the legs.. my became the size of mac trucks, and I couldn't get out of a chair. The awesome thing.. my arms were looking awesome. Ibuprofen, and a heating pad later, I could move a little bit. So today is the first day, since last Thursday.

Now here's the sick part... I love it! I hurt in all the right places, and I know that what my trainer made me go through is exactly what I need to hit my goals.

Maybe I'm sadistic, but there's something awesome when you know the pain you're experienceing is because you worked hard, and made it through...

Tomorrow is my next workout with my trainer.. hopefully I will be able to walk by Friday - I will let you guys know..

My Mom

2008-05-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

My Mom, Jacquie is the most amazing person I have ever known. Her high intelligence, her astounding beauty, her beautiful soul, her enduring strength, and her abundace of love for everyone... if I become a tenth of the woman she is, I will be doing truly well.

The thing I love the most about my mother is her laughter. Nothing makes me happier than to make her laugh. My mother and I can talk for.. days at a time

Several years ago, I almost lost her. A mis-doagnosed UTI, turned out to be colon cancer, emergency emergency colostomy, and months of a hospital stay. This was followed by not one, but 2 rounds now of chemo.

She has been through so much, and has had nothing but a strong drive and positive attitude. I am just so darn proud of her, and thankful that I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mother.

So thank you Mumma.. I love you!

The Start of the Journey

2008-05-09T09:59:00.003-07:00

So here we are a the start of my journey. I'm so glad you've decided to join me!
I am on a mission - a mission to promote health an wellness, not only for myself, but for everyone! We do not realize how much control we have over our bodies.

It's really quite simple.. jumk in, junk out.. healthy in, healthy inside and out.

However, you wouldn't believe, (or maybe you would), how difficult such a concept can be!

Several years ago, I watched both of my parents go through colon cancer. My father luckily has the five-year clear, and my mother just finished chemo, unfortunately for the second time.

Going through cancer with my parents, I spent hours reading, and learning about all the ways we should eat right, do exercise, avoid toxins, and maintain an all-over sense of health and wellness.

Things were going great. I lost a total of 110 lbs, was running 5Ks, riding my bike miles at a time, looking and feeling great. Then.. I went on vacation.. to Vegas.. the buffets, the alcohol, the lack of exercise.. I lost my momentum, my groove, and I couldn't get it back. So for months, and through the winter, I kept becoming more and more sedentary, and losing the drive and motivation I had to even run anymore.

Now here I am. I feel I have completely let myself go, and I depserately need to get back on track. So I thought the best way to take accountability for my journey back to health was to post it for all the world to see. I will be posting my daily thoughts, experiences, and struggles, as well as sharing with all of you some of the insights, and wellness tips I have researched along the way.I look forward to hearing YOUR tips and thoughts, as well!

So, join me as I get back on track!