Mile 19

First, sorry for the infrequency of posts lately (always?). Suffice it to say, work's been very busy, I've been in the midst of doing some fundraisers through Tastefully Simple as well as trying to get party food kits to hosts and probably lots of other excuses I won't bore you with. But that's probably all they are. Excuses.

Today was race day. Over 20,000 people woke up this morning with their minds set on accomplishing one very lofty goal. They wanted to, and mostly succeeded at, run one of the most difficult 26.2 mile courses in the world. I've always admired these people for their dedication and athleticism.

But I also always thought they were crazy.

I've decided that the human body is not made to run 26.2 miles. I've been so convinced of this that I've railed on about how the human body actually rejects such a feat. And then I go on to list the ways in which the body revolts. It's not pretty.

Today, I stood at Mile Marker 19, the marker directly before Heartbreak Hill, in absolute awe. It's true there were people limping, going slower than they likely had at the start of the race. Some were obviously already injured. And then there was everyone else. They were doing great. Energetic and maybe even having the time of their life. One girl was on her phone, talking as if she were in Starbucks... but she was at Mile Marker 19.

And after all my years of railing on about how crazy these people are, how the human body was not made to do this, I sort of wanted to run. Or at least was jealous of all of these people. Their commitment, of their ability to want something great, actually go after it, and achieve it.

The Best VDay Ever

I'm proud to report that I had a really wonderful Vday this year. I'm even prouder to report that this is not solely due to efforts on the part of boy.

Percocet in tow (yes, I'm still on that over a week later), I joined some friends in helping out at a local school. They're getting some floors redone over the February break and needed two classrooms worth of furniture cleared. The task went quickly, aided by the musical genius of one Ms Spears. With floors cleared and time to kill before the lovely gents who are to do the actual work on the floors arrived, we hung out. We discussed things like former teachers, grade school traumas and lack of funds. There was also a bit of horse play and sword fighting to take advantage of the clear floor, but the children don't need to know about that.

The next portion of the day was to be spent celebrating womanhood, bringing awareness to oppression of past and present, taking back Valentine's Day and making it VDay. We moved on to a public room, rented with only a small donation to read from Eve Ensler's best known creation. We didn't limit ourselves to any one year's play. There was no producer to pick and choose for us. The world was our proverbial oyster. We discussed Alanis Morissett's Reclaiming Cunt... And then we talked for an hour. Actually, really, talked. We shared stories that aren't often told. Letting go of what's considered right or brunch talk. We were as too people are too rarely these days, completely honest. Then two readings. And then another hour of talking. Instead of reading crafted words and other people's stories, we told our own. It was refreshing, it was cleansing, it was empowering. Although we didn't put on a performance of the Monologues or even really read them as was originally intended, without purpose or intent, we captured the spirit of the Monologues.

When I got to my apartment, I was instructed not to look in the kitchen, my surprise wasn't ready yet. So I retreated to my room to continue my reading from the T. (A book by a woman very different than Eve and of a different perspective than the previous part of my day seemed to capture) The surprise ended up being half a dozen roses accompanied by cheese fondue and bread with crusts easily removed. Because I could eat it and it was low key. It was perfect.

I was reassured that in years past, my distaste for flowery, showy Valentine's celebrations was not purely the bitter, jealous heart of the chronically single. Not that I think the day should go entirely ignored. I guess I think it's the daily little things or random, surprise, big shows of affection that mean more. I'd be pretty sad if my one hope for romance each year was marked (and marketed) by red hearts and paper cupids adorned, well, everywhere. Even when in the coupled off side of this holiday (and we all know there's sides), I didn't want giant stuffed animals or hearts filled with chocolate or enough flowers to confuse my apartment with a greenhouse. I was reassured because, at least on this front, I'm probably not a hypocrite.

And yes, a piece of me did miss sitting in a dive bar, drinking probably a little too much and dedicating Fat Bottom Girl to a fellow patron with one of my best.

oops.

Jeez-a-loo it's been a while.

Since my last post:

• My cousin got married in NC
• That was pretty awesome, despite typical family crap.
• Matt said it was like a sitcom. It really was.
• It's 2009. I'm hoping for a good year for everyone. A lot of my friends could use it.
• I've been doing a lot of yoga lately. I had a class card to use up before it expires on Feb 12 and didn't want it to go to waste. There's only 1 class left.
• I'm getting my wisdom teeth out tomorrow.
• It's really effing cold.
• I'm still cooking, but somehow not taking pictures. I think this is in part because I'm unsure where the cord has gone to upload pictures to my computer.
• Matt downloaded Sim City 2000.

I may write more about those things later. But mostly, I wanted to share this:

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1877187,00.html

It's an article about the "25 Things" meme that's been going around on Facebook. The author of this article is enraged by the amount of her time, and general work time, wasted on the writing and reading of this meme. Not only that, but she's upset she's been tagged so often by people who she does not care to know 25 things about. She doesn't feel they're interesting, insightful or funny. Apparently, she doesn't like her friends. She then goes on to post 25 of the 25 Random Things others have sent to her.

She's truly a vissionary.

New Endeavors

You see, I'm very smart. Lately, I've had little to no free time in my life. For that matter, I haven't had enough time to do the things on my list. As such, things like "fold laundry" or "read*" have fallen by the wayside. And it is at this time, when I have no time, that i have decided to become a Tastefully Simple consultant.

I've sent a few emails to my friends and family - mostly just an invitation to an open house to display the products and introduce the company and an (soon to arrive) email about holiday shopping and entertaining. (I swear after this you will receive no more emails unless you profess your love of the products to me and request further emails. Thank you, dear ones, for putting up with me in the interim!)

So far, those that have tried the food have loved it. I'm so excited, but not too surprised about this. It really is delicious food. The other main talking point (but after yummy food, you shouldn't need much else) is the food is all wonderfully easy to prepare. No more than two ingredients are ever required and not very much time at all. Viola! Delicious meal and you look like a master chef.

I'm hoping both the food and I continue to be well received. And I hope this new venture goes well. It's a little scary, but I'm excited.



*Whilst "reading" may seem like a luxury item, I've tried to be more diligent about attending and productively participating in the book club my friend puts together. Since the December picks were influenced by yours truly, I figure I should do my very best to read them and attend. And yes, picks and them. There are two books. I think she's punishing me for daring to suggest books. Good thing I apparently love Capote.

Mental Health Break: Puppies

I forget exactly who sent me this website. (it might have been Matt) I forget exactly what day it was on. (somewhere in the middle there. Wednesday? Thursday?) I just know it's been a long few weeks and it probably won't let up until at least the new year. And this website has been wonderful in helping me get through it:

Puppies.

enjoy.

A Tale of Two 'Hoods

I'm always amazed when I'm reminded of how much certain neighborhoods (okay, i guess they're their own town, but they're part of the very immediate Boston Metro Area) are not looked upon kindly by their neighbors. Namely, Alston and Roxbury. I know definitively of two schools that go to great lengths to ensure that they have only Boston, not Roxbury addresses. Same goes for Alston.

But it seems that Brookline has taken this a step further. This isn't an academic institution not wanting to be associated with a slightly notorious area, it's a neighboring town. So far, I've found that only pretty predominant roads go from Alston to Brookline and vice versa. What happens on the smaller roads? Either there's a barrier at the town line so cars can't pass, or the road stops and becomes a dead end just before the line.

Now, I've never hidden the fact that Alston isn't my favorite place. (also not my most disliked. besides, it has some pretty awesome people) But I think that barriers and prematurely stopped streets is a little drastic. Oh Brookline.

Civic Duty

tee hee. duty.



PS -


Thanks for sending this to me, Julie! ;-)