Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Amanda's Dream

This has absolutely nothing to do with my 101 goals, but I thought it was hilarious and didn't want to lose it amongst all my other emails. One of my best friends, Amanda, had a dream about my future wedding and I received a several paragraph email from her about it. Here is that email:

"I had the weirdest dream that you got married last night. I woke up wondering if I had a large dose of opium before I went to sleep it was so bizarre. So check it out…

The wedding was in Kingwood, which is odd because your wedding actually was in the California State Capitol Building. That was cool, though, because Arnold Swachernagger (sp?) came by to shake our hands. You had this absolutely gorgeous dress, but you only wore it when you took a picture or during the ceremony. The other times you had a black Harry Potter-style robe on top of your gown. I, on the other hand, had the world’s ugliest dress. It was bright yellow with sections missing throughout the dress, and it had this thick brown wool sweater sewed onto it but just the arms and collar of said sweater.

I was there with my mom, dad and Ryan. The table you put us in was with your dad’s old friends – Lorenzo Lamas (a washed-up action actor) and a sumo wrestler. Before the wedding, you had everyone sit at their reception tables, but you didn’t tell us when the wedding started. Randomly, I walked into the ceremony area, and it looked like you were in the middle of getting married. But then I saw these life-sized wooden dolls in the seats (which were extremely creepy, by the way), so I thought they were your “practice” audience. However, I realized that real people were scattered in the audience, too, and someone told me that it was your real wedding going on.

During your wedding, you kept having casual conversations and laughing while the minister was marrying you, which was odd. Jillian was your maid of honor, and your bridesmaid was some girl I had never seen before, but they had super ugly dresses on – ivory satin with this Statue of Liberty-like sash. Plus, they were really frumpy. After the ceremony, I went to my hotel room to cut of the sweater part because I was so hot. I ran into you and Nathan in the hall, and you told me that you might not come back to the reception because you and Nathan were going to go, well, you know, wink, wink. I got really upset and was like, what?! I haven’t even seen you! You’re just going to ditch your wedding?

So I ran off crying, and all of a sudden, I was running on this rocky beach, and you and Nathan came running after me apologizing. But you turned into Emily, and she came out of the ocean. So Emily (or supposedly you) said that I was right and decided to schedule another reception. So we went to this little shack that sells cruises around the bay and were going to book one for another reception. All of a sudden, I was naked but had a giant beach ball to cover me. I ran to the bathroom and woke up."

Monday, August 10, 2009

Shin Splints and other Running Woes

Ouch! I wish I could say my half marathon training was going great, but I've been having a lot of leg issues lately. My left shin has been bugging me with some painful shin splints and my left calf has had a funky pain in it. They actually hurt more when I'm just hanging out or when I'm walking or standing. After the first 10-20 minutes of my run it really doesn't bother me anymore, but afterward it is much worse. I've been using the first half of the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and the rest, especially seems to be helping. Unfortunately, this much rest is NOT a part of my half marathon training program! I'm getting a little bit nervous that this is really going to mess with my ability to finish the LB half. I haven't run since Saturday, when I did a pretty good 5 mile run (56 min, my fastest 5 miler yet). I'm really going to try and work through this.

The other thing that makes training for this race difficult is my schedule (or lack thereof). I don't always know where I'm going to be, or when I'm going to be working a 14 hour day (or all night) or if I'll just have one short flight and a long layover. This has been making it pretty difficult to get into any kind of regular training schedule. I know I shouldn't complain too much about my schedule, since I really do have it pretty good, but certain things have just been grating on my nerves.

On a good note, I've worked my way up to 7 miles so far for my long run, and I've still got 2 months before the race.

This has been a venting post... I'll try and make my next post a happy one!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Mad Skillz

There's a reason I want to take a cake decorating class, and this is it:



I suppose it's alright for a first try, but I would love to be able to do even more. I guess I need to get to work on #13!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

#10 Finish reading Atlas Shrugged




Wow. At 1200 pages I'm pretty sure this is the longest book I've ever read cover to cover and loved. This novel by Ayn Rand was first published in 1957, but it doesn't feel out of touch. It amazes me how relevant this book is today. I haven't written a book review in years, so I'll keep this short and sweet. Amazing book. Go read it.

Who is John Galt?

#s 48, 60, 65

#48 Get a good pedometer
#60 Get a Britta water filter and a good, sturdy water bottle to use instead of bottled water
#65 Get a AAA membership

Check, check and check. I figured none of these needs it's own blog entry. :) Let's just say I'm counting my steps, loving my new water bottle, and feeling much safer driving around Houston.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

#14 Try my hand at rock climbing

I have tried rock climbing a couple of times in the past and really enjoyed it, but it has been several years. Last night I took a Climbing 101 class at Texas Rock Gym in Houston. There were seven of us in the class and I was the only one who had ever climbed before. It was a good refresher, and I'm really excited to keep going! I knew I was going to be sore this morning, but oh my goodness... ouch! Definitely a great workout :) I only climbed on the top rope walls 3 times, but I also spent a bit of time in the bouldering area. I have a couple friends who climb there sometimes, so I'll have to go with them soon and practice, practice, practice!

Monday, June 15, 2009

#80 Laugh until I cry

I didn't expect this one to happen without Jillian, but watching The Hangover in the movie theater last night, I definitely got teary from cracking up. The scene where the brother-in-law gives his speech about his wolf pack and then pulls out a knife and proceeds to cut open his hand to become blood brothers with the other guys was what did it... and watching Nathan rolling around in his seat laughing so hard helped :) If you haven't seen this movie, I highly suggest it... one of the best comedies I have seen in a while!

I'm sure there will be a few more times where I laugh til I cry, and I bet at least one will involve Jillie, but this first one was so great because it was unexpected.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

#83 Watch the bats come out in Houston

On Monday night Nathan and I went over to the Waugh bridge at dusk to watch the bats come out. There are an estimated 250,000 Mexican Free-Tailed bats living under the bridge, and seeing them emerge was really cool! I was surprised at how fast they were, and although I knew about echolocation it was pretty amazing to see them flying really fast straight for a tree and dart around it at the last possible second. The only not so great part? The lovely smell of guano. Now that I've seen these bats I'd also like to head to Austin (pictured) and check out the 1.5 million bats emerging from the Congress bridge. I'm sure it would be quite a site to see!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

#52 Visit Saint Arnold Brewery

It's rare that I'm in town on a Saturday and not on call, but this weekend I had the day off, so Nathan and I headed over to Saint Arnold Brewing Company for their weekly tour. I was most excited to hear about the brewing process, but there was a massive line and although we could hear bits and pieces of it from outside, by the time we actually made it in the tour was over and there was a mad rush to get in line for the free beer. $5 got you a souvenir glass and four tokens for four beers. I accidentally deleted two of the four pictures we took, but here are the other two. In the one of just Nathan you can see a mural of Saint Arnold, patron saint of brewers, painted on the wall.


Friday, May 29, 2009

100 mile challenge

So I just realized today that I left my bikini hanging up in the bathroom of my last layover hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota, several days ago. This poses a bit of a problem. Yes, I own more than one swimming suit, but that one was my favorite! I came up with a solution in the form of a challenge. I am allowing myself to go find the perfect suit and purchase it, but only after I have run (run/walked) 100 miles. So I guess I had better start logging my miles! I'm thinking it might take me 2 months to get to this goal, but that would be awesome if I got there sooner!

Date ........ Milage ........ Total

May 30 ... 2.9 miles ... 2.9 miles
May 31 ..... 4 miles ..... 6.9 miles
June 1 ..... 1.5 miles .... 8.4 miles
June 2 .... 2.9 miles ... 11.3 miles
June 3 .... 3.1 miles ... 14.4 miles
June 5 ..... 4 miles ..... 18.4 miles
June 6 ..... 4 miles .... 22.4 miles
June 9 .... 3.1 miles ... 25.5 miles
June 10 ... 4.5 miles .... 30 miles
June 13 ..... 3 miles ..... 33 miles
June 16 ..... 5 miles ..... 38 miles
June 17 .. 2.9 miles .. 40.9 miles
June 21 ... 2.1 miles .... 43 miles
June 22 .... 5 miles ..... 48 miles
June 23 .... 2 miles ..... 50 miles
June 24 .... 3 miles ..... 53 miles
June 30 .... 4 miles ..... 57 miles
July 3 ...... 5 miles ...... 62 miles
July 4 ...... 3 miles ...... 65 miles
July 7 ...... 6 miles ...... 71 miles
July 12 ..... 4 miles ..... 75 miles
July 15 ..... 3 miles ..... 78 miles
July 21 ..... 3 miles ..... 81 miles
July 24 ... 3.5 miles ... 84.5 miles
July 26 ..... 7 miles .....91.5 miles
July 28 .... 4 miles .... 95.5 miles
Aug 1 .... 4.5 miles .... 100 miles


Thursday, May 28, 2009

#30 Make the switch to reusable grocery bags

I'm not huge on the whole "green" movement. I roll my eyes when I see yet another magazine come out with a "green issue." I think it's completely ridiculous that people buy carbon offsets. And for a while I thought that taking reusable bags to the market was just a silly trend. But plastic bags from the grocery store annoy the heck out of me, and I realize they are a complete waste. I've been thinking about making the switch to a reusable bag for a couple months, but I just hadn't gotten around to it. Today at HEB I purchased 2 big green bags for $0.99 each. Sure, it isn't much, but every little bit counts. This may even open up my eyes to making other small "green" changes.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

#1 Write the List

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Check it out here.

Start Date:
May 28, 2009

End Date:
Feb 23, 2012

** italics denotes in progress

***
bold denotes completed


1. Write the list (harder than it sounds!) (6/8/2009)
2. Document the completion of each item on this list, either in words or pictures (10/101)
3. Pick up a charter flight/trip
4. Run 3 10Ks (2/3)
5. Train for and run a half marathon (10/11/2009)
6. Get down to 130-140lbs and maintain that weight
7. Start brewing beer
8. Make it out to Denver for Great American Beer Fest
9. Visit Belgium
10. Finish reading Atlas Shrugged (7/2/2009)
11. Pay off credit card
12. Get a TX driver's license and plates (4/1/2010)
13. Take a cooking class (1/24/2010)
15. See the Grand Canyon
16. Take a dancing class
17. Find a church in Houston that I feel comfortable at
18. Finish my Eurotrip '06 Scrapbook
19. Send a secret to PostSecret
20. Buy a classic item of clothing I really love that's not on sale
21. Read the LOTR trilogy (and start with The Hobbit first)
22. Pay for the next person in line
23. Leave a tip of 100%
24. Inspire 5 people to make a 101 in 1001 list (3/5)
25. Save all of my change in a big jar
26. See Joshua Radin in concert again
27. Run a 5K in under 27 minutes
28. Run a mile in under 8 minutes
29. Send 5 "just because" gifts (0/5)
30. Make the switch to reusable grocery bags (5/28/2009)
31. Go one month with no unnecessary purchases
32. Write down everything I spend for one month
33. Finish a crossword puzzle on my own (newspaper or CO magazine) (4/5/2010)
34. Go a full week without using a computer (with the exception of CCS for work)
35. Send a care package to a friend
36. Send a care package oversees to someone in the military
37. Get a library card
38. Be able to check off half of the books on this list (24/50)
39. Seriously look into getting skydiving license... if too much $$$, tandem again
40. Bungee jump
41. Get prescription sunglasses
42. Go back to Belize (1/15/1010)
43. Go whitewater rafting
44. Drink Pliny the Younger
45. Create a recipe book. Use it.
46. Visit Grandpa Burt in Spokane, WA
47. Read all of Paulo Coelho's books
48. Get a good pedometer (7/1/2009)
49. Aim to walk 10,000 steps/day
50. Visit Dogfish Head brewery
51. Visit Stone Brewery
52. Visit Saint Arnold Brewery (5/30/2009)
53. Get a "grown-up" wallet (7/2009)
54. Get a hubcap for the sad, naked, little wheel missing one
55. Make a list of 101 things that make me happy
56. Go to Disney World
57. Read at least 25 Newberry winners (rereading counts) (0/25)
58. Learn to shoot a gun
59. Drive to Waco and walk around the Baylor campus
60. Get a Britta water filter and a good, sturdy water bottle to use instead of bottled water (7/7/2009)
61. Take some education classes at HCC
62. Read all the books in my book collection that I have not previously read
63. Take vitamins on a regular basis
64. Break my minimum guarantee 3 times (7/3)
65. Get a AAA membership (7/4/2009)
66. Buy a beach cruiser
67. Volunteer at an animal shelter
68. Earn a "saucer" on the wall at Flying Saucer (27/200)
69. Attend my 10 year High School reunion with confidence
70. Take an "exotic dancing" class
71. Join a Houston Kickball League
72. Adopt a dog
73. Find doctors and a dentist in Houston (2/3)
74. Take pictures inside a photo booth
75. Learn how to grill
76. See a play at the Alley Theater
77. Find a regular hair dresser
78. Take a self defense class
79. Create a beer journal and start reviewing beers
80. Laugh until I cry (6/14/2009)
81. Figure out what to do with my bottle cap collection
82. Reread Harry Potter 1-7
83. Watch the bats come out in Houston (6/1/2009)
84. Fly on a trapeze
85. Get TABC certified and volunteer at Saint Arnold
86. Eat at Club 33 (going to need Heather or Emily's help on this one!)
87. Plan a trip to Australia
88. Go kayaking
89. Create a log and rating system for the layover hotels
90. Organize a game night
91. Go skiing with Amanda (and beg her not to ditch me at the bunny trails!)
92. Get a massage at a massage school
93. Have my skydiving video converted to a DVD
94. Get new wheels for my roll aboard (8/30/2009)
95. Go to an Oktoberfest
96. Watch dachshund races
97. Swim with the piggies in the Bahamas
98. Get teeth whitened
99. Try a yoga class
100. Join a gym
101. Make a new list!