Wednesday, August 30, 2006
So, I'm completely delirious. I swear I started that last post with the intention of recapping everything that had gone on in the last week or so, but I got a little distracted and ended up with that rambly mess.
Somehow I neglected to mention that I went to Chicago for the weekend which was a great adventure. It's the halfway point for Brian and I so we both took the train in to town and met at Union Station. With gas prices such as they are and the parking situation in Chicago, we figured Amtrak had to be a better deal. It was pretty interesting. We took trains all over Europe, but I had never taken a train in the States. It was a lot like flying but train stations just don't have their act together like airports. Lots of waiting and disorganization. And I don't recommend taking the Wolverine (why would you? Yuck!) to Chicago, as it seemed to suffer massive delays on my way there and the people who were taking it home were delayed for at least 2 hours. I took the Blue Water home and it was much more efficient.
Once in Chicago we took the CTA all over the place which again isn't something I've really done outside of Europe so it brought back memories. Seriously, my weekend transportation was half the fun of the trip. I'm inspired to get a CATA bus pass, but getting to work would take me like an hour instead of 15 minutes. I'm not sure I'm that inspired.
We were only in Chicago for a day but we got to go to the Field Museum for free. We got to see "Sue" who is a dear old friend of anyone who has spent as much time at Disney's Animal Kingdom as we have. We also got to see so many stuffed ungulates I almost couldn't contain myself. They even had bongos! I also got to see a little more dinosaur than I would have liked. I'm used to Sue, but the others creep me out. I did get my picture taken with a Parasaurolophus. They're my favorite.
What else? We walked along the lake to Millennium Park and saw the big shiney bean. It's pretty magnificent. I liked it because while alone it's impressive and pleasing to look at, the real art is the kaleidoscope of reflections you get all around it, especially under it. All the people moving around... It's really neat.
We walked up Michigan Avenue and did some window shopping. By this time I was pretty beat and was eventually happy to get back to our giant suite where we explored the hidden wonders of Pinky and the Brain.
The train ride home was great, once I got near Lansing. On the way to Chicago I took a bus to Battle Creek and the train from there. The way home was direct to EL. I grew up off Old Lansing Road, maybe a mile from the train tracks. Faint horns blowing in the distance are always comforting and remind me of home. I spend countless mornings on the school bus stuck at the Waverly Road train tracks, being late for school. And being right near a steel company that presumably took deliveries via train, being stopped at an intersection while a train stopped, backed up, and continued again slowly was pretty common. Anyway, Lansing (being the industrial place it was more so in the past) has a hell of a lot of train tracks. I think we take it for granted. Most places don't have half as many as we do. It was fun, for the first time, to actually ride those rails. I got to see my hometown from a new angle. I got to be the train blowing its horn in the distance for the kids on Libbie Drive to hear. I got to hold up traffic on Waverly Road. I got to go over the train bridge next to the dispatch. I got to see the backside of the plants downtown and see the old Lansing train station that we used to party in back in college. I got to be the train flying by the zoo, though I was sitting on the wrong side to be able to see any of the critters. And finally, I got to be the train holding up traffic on Harrison while it's passengers depart/climb onboard. It was definitely an experience I'm glad I got to have.
So, there's that.
I had a pretty shitty day yesterday and a rather shittier night. Today's not looking up yet. Anyway, if this two was a rambling mess, forgive me.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
So Thirsty Thursday was a bust. Silly rain. But we did get to meet the heretofore believed imaginary Amy and Ben owes me a homemade pretzel. So really... it worked out pretty well. I have not yet come to any decision about what to do with my crazy mane, though my idea to cut it somewhat shorter than normal was quickly rejected by the first person who heard me ponder it.
I also haven't been running since I last posted. I had full intentions of going out this morning, with the loophole that I didn't have to go if it was raining. Which it is. Though not very much. And I have enjoyed running in the rain before. I am just being lazy.
I have, however, with the exception of (I think) one night, gotten at least 8 hours of sleep a night for about the last week. I can't say it has really done much for my energy level or anything like that. It has helped me get up in the morning though, I suppose. Or maybe that's the train...
I'm completely rambling.
Oh! Tentative date for the housewarming gathering is Saturday, Sept. 9th. You have like a week and a half to clear your schedules, so I want no excuses. Hooray!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
10 posts in a month's time? I guess I'm getting settled and falling into a routine afterall.I'm also trying to jump back on the running bandwagon. Now that it's cooling off a little I am more motivated. I bet my trainer misses me. I should pay her a visit too. I may have slacked off for 5 months, but once it comes time to make NEW new year's resolutions, I want to feel like I still accomplished something.
I did take a major step by getting my sleepy self out of bed early enough to run and shower before work. I *reeeeally* like my bed. and being in it. But I ran from my apartment to Jupiter. I hope to run the whole solar system at some point, but that'd be like a 5 mile run and that would kind of suck.
Also, it's that time of year again. Mess with Stephanie's head time! The polls are open: Reddish, Blondish, Light Brownish, Dark Brownish... What's it going to be? And no, bwil, I don't think Agent Orange is going to happen.
The last Thirsty Thursday of the year is tomorrow. How sad. Anyone interested in coming with us or meeting us there, let me know!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
I've lost my way...What kind of tree-hugger drives across town on her break just to retrieve her cell phone she left without in the morning? I was the last human on the planet to even get one, and now I get this OCD twitchy feeling when I don't have it.
This is not good.
You guys never call me anyway.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Wow. I can't believe August is 2/3 over already. Someone please find me a local 5k before the end of the month that does not take place on a Saturday. I'm afraid I'm not going to make my goal. Unless we can pretend Sept. 2nd is in August.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Unpacking progress since last post: negligible.Wineries ransacked since last post: 2
Bottles of wine purchased since last post: 5
Amtraks flashed since last post: 1
Games of scrabble won since last post: 2
Games of scrabble won by me since last post: 0
Number of thumbwrestling matches won because opponent forfeited since last post: 2
Episodes of Ed watched since last post: 10.5
Trains charted since last post: 34
Number of times I've watched this video since last post: 7
(Thanks, Jules!)
Friday, August 11, 2006
I love you. Like a robot loves a human, a human loves a dog, and occasionally, a gorilla loves a kitty.Sorry for the delay. Moving will do that to you. I'm still all in boxes and don't have much furniture and needless to say I have not settled into any sort of routine. I forsee another week or so sans-post. I do apoligize.
I have however made cake-like brownies, whacked the shit of some moles, and had the inevitable first heated arguement with the roommate. It was ugly. Raised voices, evil glares, near tearful exasperation... Yes. We were playing scrabble.
Oh, and congrats to Mr. and Mrs. 8-bit, who I am pleased to being seeing for the first time in far too long tomorrow. Whatever became of our loving of the 8-bit, anyway? Make that happen again. Go.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The only crawling I'll be doing to you is away. ...from.Oh, Futurama. Yet, even that doesn't really make packing any more fun. I get motivated for mere minutes at a time. But it soon passes.
I think it'll be better when my media specialist gets on the ball. While a big bed and walk-in closet are pretty enticing, knowing I had cable and internet to keep me company while UNpacking would inspire me to want to spend time there. Which would inspire me to pack in the first place.
Fortunately I have a few good time suckers to help me procrastinate.
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