Saturday, July 29, 2006
Did I completely neglect to mention that I'm moving out of the dungeon? I am. Next week. Hooray!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
"Cheese, Crackers, and Margaritas. That's all I need. NOW I'll be happy!"Just because a little muenster told me I should post that.
Now I will brace myself for the inevitable gloat-fest which will be occuring in about 81 minutes. I just haven't decided who will be doing the gloating yet.
Oh, and I want to go on a train ride.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
"You're never really living life until you're in a big bubble of discomfort."- JTil (My poker idol of the day)
I say "of the day" because yesterday I was singing the praises of Phil Helmuth, and forever before that it's been Annie Duke. A constant battle. I just love them all in their own special way. And how can you not love the big busted funny lady who giggles and tosses her hair while she takes all your money. Idol? Abso-friggin-lutely.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Metallic green pointy 4" stilettos.That's all I have to say.
Well, we know one thing. I'm consistent. And consistency really just means I'm not challenging myself, which we also know, because running 3 times in a month is not a challenge.
Four months down, and four 5ks as well. I was a little impressed I actually dragged myself out of bed this morning, to be honest. And was then impressed when I actually got dressed, got in the car and drove to the Okemos site of the 2006 Ele's Race. After the way I was feeling at about the half mile and two and half mile marks, I was pretty impressed I finished at all. But, when the times were posted I was thrilled to see how well I did. I thought it might have been a personal best, but my second race (in the rain) still holds that title. By ONE SECOND!
Out of possible 1500 people, I had a mere 681 finish, 41st in my age group. This was the first time I had actually been chip timed too. That was cool. My other times were all fairly accurate, give or take a few seconds.
Anyway, I'm proud of myself. But it's become abundantly clear that I am fully capable of 36 minute finish no matter how little I run between races. I can do better. My goal for August (and I haven't even picked a race yet!) is to break that 36 minute mark. It CANNOT be that hard to shave a whopping 10 seconds off my time.
My 1st September race (I'm going 2!) will be kind of cross country style so I need to hit the trails to make sure I can handle it. My goal for september will be to finish the race and not sprain an ankle.
I can already feel a post run migrane setting in, so excedrin, water and a nap, here I come!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Ok, now I have to just go rapidfire and get caught up.So, the wedding (week's ago. in Boston. you remember.) was wonderful. We couldn't decide if we were there for the bride or the groom so we sat where we recognized people. Unlike Eric last October, neither Heidi nor Matt cried like a baby. That was disappointing. But at their way fun reception, the wedding party did walk in to the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean. How appropriate for a seaman who met his bride at WDW. Needless to say our table much approved and probably everyone else was oblivious.
The reception was such drunken fun. Brian danced which I may have only seen happen... have I ever seen that happen? I don't know. He didn't stay awake long enough to save me a dance though, for which I will be eternally UNgrateful. We did leave the reception a little early so drunky could sleep in the car for 2 hours, but eventually we DID make it to the after party.
It was so good to see everyone and I could not be happier the the couple in question. I'm honored to know them both and to have been able to be their to witness not only the apendicitis, but the wedding as well.
Ok, moving on... A week later or so I made it to P.J.Hoffmaster State Park, which is NOT Ludington, but was most definitley the site of the party. I believe we decided with was year 22 (or 23) for the Palmer-Sweitzer-Curtis Camping extravaganza. Most of the kids made it up. I got to see Joe for the first time since he recently returned from Iraq. His lovely wife joined us as well. Chris was there for awhile, and his friend Kevin who we've all adopted. Rob and Summer did not make it. Summer was due on the 3rd, I believe and on (i think) July 7th, Georgia Isabel Palmer was finally born. Shawn and Shana we both around, as well as Shawn's ladyfriend, Elle and his muchkin Kayden. All the parents were around but none of my sisters made it. All around it was a big crowd and a load of fun. Much "lemonade" was consumed and thanks to MB who, of course, would never make the trip, we all got to see Jupiter, the space shuttle and the international space station! It was WAY cool. Also, on the shore (I like to call it a shore to emphasis the massiveness of it) of Lake Michigan I was temporarily in the Central Time Zone according to Verizon. So I called Brian so we could hang out in the same TZ for a second.
Next. Ok, and we're on to the Pigfish. Which involved no pigs, and no fish. I can't speak for anyone else but it DID involve me, at least, eating like a pig and drinking like a fish... so mission accomplished, Jeff! I met a lot of cool people, hung out with some of my own favorite people, and got to spend some time with some WAY OLD friends I haven't seen in YEARS. After 12+ hours of drinking, I passed out before Willy left, and since I haven't heard from him since I'm starting to thing maybe I dreamed that he showed up at all.
Ok, I have consumed WAY too many margaritas while typing this so I'm taking a time out until further updates. Pictures should be forthcoming if Brian hops on that. Or Erica.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Ok. I just have to get this out of the way before I never do and get griped at about it.So, yes it's been a week or two, but the trip to Boston was good times all around. Well, most of the way around. Well, I guess all around for me anyway, as even the minor hitch ended up ok.
I left for Detroit Friday evening-ish and arrived just moments before we boarded our flight to Boston. This was about 8:30 as it was a 9pm flight. It was all very convenient because Brian was flying in to Boston about 10ish so he'd have to wait for me for an hour or so then we'd head off for the hotel in our little blue rental car.
One delay after another (and I always knew 10 minutes before everyone else because nwa.com kept txt msging me to let me know my flight status) and eventually the flight was delayed until 6:30am Friday morning. Not because of any of the technical problems which had been sorted out, but because the flight crew (who incedently are based in Boston) had been working too long and didn't have time to work the flight (read: fly home). So, this is THREE HOURS LATER. It's 11:30 and all these poor people are getting sent to hotels, etc. only to have to be back for a 6:30 flight. I said fuck a free hotel room and meal voucher and called the ever-reliable MB.
By 1am I was at his house. I got to nap from about 2-4am. Luckily he's nocturnal and was still up doing whatever it is he does at 4am, thus able to make sure I was up and out the door just in time to run down the looooooong Detroit Metro terminal all Home Alone style to find out the new flight crew hadn't even shown up yet.
The flight to Boston went off without any further hitches. Poor Brian had to spend a night in Boston by himself, but at least he got more than 2 hours of sleep. He picked me up at the airport (where he nearly tackled me to the ground, much to the amusement of the many passersby).
At this point it was time to set of to do two of the 3 things we really went to Boston to do: Hang out with long-lost-Jarrad, and visit the Samuel Adams Brewery. Jarrad is a friend we met like 5 years ago and have seen only once or twice since then. The actually amount of time we have spent with him is about 6 days. But we have kept in touch, and I adore him. He's a hilarious compliment to the formidable duo that is Brian and me. We picked him up on a street corner outside of Fenway because we were reasonably certain that was the kind of lansmark we'd be able to find. Then, we got really confused driving around downtown and decided if people had just decided to eat horses instead of buffalo, this country could have turned out so much better. We did finally find the modest brewery and went on a delightfully free tour (ok, we all chipped in a few bucks for donations to local youth organizations and whatnot) which included delightfully free beer. We thought we might actually lose Brian when he had to endure Beer, Science, AND a wicked loud thunderstorm all at once. I'd say it was heaven, but we all know... in heaven there is no beer.
We went back to the hotel and I passed out like a renaissance beauty (yeah, i don't get it either) while the boys went downstairs to the bar. Later we all grabbed dinner and drinks before rushing Jarrad back downtown to catch the train. That was kind of a nightmare. I'm assuming he did actually make it home though. The real nightmare was Brian and I trying to leave downtown boston. It just shouldn't be that hard.
Wow. That is too much typing for day one of a 3 day excersion that happened weeks ago. And I'm hungry and have to go to work. So you'll get day two later. ha!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Eek! Senate primaries are only a few weeks away. Thankfully, I am pretty certain you're all registered to vote. If you are not registered, especially if you're a Michigan resident, please let me urge you to head down to your local Secretary of State branch and register on or before July 7th, 2006. This will allow you to be eligable to vote in the primaries on August 8th.
And that brings me to my second point. Even if we are registered voters, and diligently vote in major elections, we all too often neglect the primaries. In tight election years these primaries can make a big difference. We're effectively choosing the candidates that will show up on the final ballot. This is especially interesting in Michigan which is one of only a few states that have "open primaries". This means that you do not have to be a registered member of any particular party to cast your vote. Even you libertarians out there will be able to help choose the major party candidates, some of whom I assume you'll end up voting for if there is no libertarian candidate.
So remember, if you aren't registered, get yourself to the SOS by next Friday. If you are, start brushing up so we have the best possible candidates on the final ballot. This is as good a place to start as any.
content 2000-2008 © stephanie sweitzer
