Lady Jane Scarlett's Den

Lessons

2011-08-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Today has been a mental storm of melancholy, restlessness and anxiety. But most of all, I can't help feeling that I've failed a friend because I keep on forgetting the one thing I mean to remember.

I've learned over and over, ad infinitum, to get out of my own head and to approach a person with love and kindness. It's a hard lesson to relearn, especially when it's so much easier to be weak and pretend that someone is just being an asshole or a jerk. It's so tough for me to recognize that perhaps there is something deeper going on, and to come out and say something or just be a kind person. Sure, that doesn't excuse some behaviour. But it also doesn't excuse my indifference, especially when the person in question is a close friend.

{pregnant pause for effect}

So perhaps by putting this out there, I'll make concrete this abstract lesson. Perhaps it's my Dark Tower, and I am the gunslinger...making my way across the desert in pursuit of the Man in Black.

Grumpy?

2011-02-17T09:38:00.000-08:00

I am coming to the realization that I've been blogging, aka bitching, about alot of things that distress, annoy or piss me off. While that sort of charm only works for some, and beautifully in the rarest breed, it is really not who I am. I am really not doing well for that "look on the bright side of life" goal for February. This is a lesson, indeed.

I do not want to be grumpy old woman, nor do I wish to be a grumpy young woman. These sorts of attitudes manifest over the course of time into a wild, hideous beast that is best kept in the closet. So, perhaps some good news or happy reflections are in order in the Den.

I am planning my first trip to Comet. Two weeks without the goodly goodness of crafted joe is just too long. Hmmm. Perhaps that is contributing to my less-than-stellar attitude.

Anon I go then, to dream perchance.

The Illusion of Danger

2011-02-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

Having returned from a 9-day sojourn in Mexico, I can now reflect with pleasure on the experiences, the people we met and rejuvenating our mental health.

If I had listened to a couple of friends, I would have never gone. Because to them Mexico is a dangerous place-rife with people who will harm, kidnap or rob me. These warnings are juxtaposed with my experiences and give me a platform to contemplate the idea of what is danger. I don't want to belittle the fact that there are portions of Mexico that are not safe. But that is true for every country.

If I told my parents half of the things we did, they would fear for my life. What they fear, I find fascinating. It may be callous to find their ill-placed fear comical, but I do. Is it because I "know" better? Or is it because my idea of what is dangerous is calibrated based on the belief that all people are good and kind? Of course, this is tempered by a knowledge that it's best to not flaunt wealth or act loudly or obnoxiously...but that advice can be applied when travelling anywhere in the world. So I only wear my wedding ring and a modest watch, and I use a bookbag because it indicates a student who doesn't have much money.

So what sort of wild, dangerous things did I do?

Right off of the plane, our first meal was at a hole-in-the-wall taco shop near the bus station. It is not dangerous to eat food from a street vendor. It may be inadvisable for those with less sturdy intestines. But not dangerous. In fact, I only got stomach problems once we got to the resort-a so-called "safe" zone.

We spend an afternoon with a lovely Mexican family who are managers at a tourist attraction. Was it dangerous to get into a car with a father, mother and daughter? I don't think it is dangerous to talk to strangers, or accept help from them.

We swam in the ocean with no lifeguard around, and we left our meager belongings unattended at the beach. We walked down a poorly lit street. We climbed the 43 meter Nohoch Mul pyramid without a guardrail.

We roamed around the Yucatan with abandon and joy for 4 days. All around, we found warmth and kindness from locals and tourists. Now why would that be dangerous?

:) LJS

Conspiracy theory

2011-01-27T14:37:00.000-08:00

The universe conspires against me, because every time I come on to blog all of my ideas disappear.

I have no idea why, but I will come to an answer...and promptly forget it once I get my blog.

:) LJS

Keep it private, dammit

2011-01-20T14:26:00.000-08:00

There is just some stuff one just doesn't do in research.

Like lie. Or be sneaky about tweaking data. Or making shit up.

I try my hardest to be responsible in my research. I keep a lab notebook, I try to make sure credit is given where credit is due, if I removed a data point, I say so and why I did it. It's not just about maintaining a good reputation and making sure that you are above reproach, but it's also about being a good steward to the field of science.

My anal retentive attitude about my keeping own personal information private resonates with the perfectly logical and ethical standards of clinical research. Specifically about keeping private information out of the paws of people who have no damn business seeing it. Clinical researchers are expected to maintain patient privacy at all times, for damn good reasons. These rules are wonderful, I fully support them. Clinical researchers should hold themselves to these high ethical standards because people depend on us.

So imagine my delight and surprise to find that my husband's personal information was in a dental student's bookbag. Said bookbag was stolen. Who am I mad at? The neurologically-challenged student? Yes. He was pretty stupid. But I am even more mad at the backwards system in place. The system for allowing a student, probably untrained in HIPAA rules, to carry around patient information in clearly unprotected environments. Why is it necessary, in this day and age, to carry around papers with patient information. Get a fucking encrypted database.

This incident is especially irritating because of the high standards we have in place for clinical research. Why should students be allowed to carry around this information when there are rules, and systems, for maintaining patient confidentiality?

My alias

2011-01-17T19:08:00.001-08:00

I try to be fun "in real life" also. Bookface allowed me to share with the world my languages, and I thought I'd find something goofy to share. Why mess with the Bookface, you ask? Because, really, who the heck cares what languages I speak and why would I share that information anyway?

:) LJS

Yielding electrons, quietly

2011-01-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

I really do try to avoid talking about other people in the Den. You see the Den is small (it is a wee Den) and if I foul the air with ranting or bitching, then the stench hangs in the air for weeks like unwashed haggy armpits.

Also, I have better things to write about. Like that one time I visited a colony of Elvis clones and was able to negotiate a peace treaty between army ants and an impoverished village in Ghana.

That being said, I must admit that the only thing better than using earplugs to find sleep in a noisy hotel is not needing them at all when I'm at home.

My month of "not buying useless stuff" is going well. I'm not even cheating by making a list of things I'd like to buy, for a Feb 1 purchase. It is harder than I remembered, probably because I now have a car and can go out to buy things on a whim. But maybe that, too, is a lesson.

It wouldn't be a violation of my non-disclosure agreement to say that a colony of Elvis clones would explain alot of unusual things.

:) LJS

Well, it had to eventually happen

2011-01-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

We mark post # 300 here in the Den with the fanfare and accoutrement to which we are entitled!!

I wanted a big celebration. I was thinking of hiring the "Firefly" cast, asking Jack White to emcee, and having the reddit guys cast spontaneous drawings. But, the crew were not hip to the planned celebration. They revolted against the idea of Jack coming back. Then the "Firefly" guys got really really busy warding off Reavers. The crew thought I said "Felicity" anyway. And the reddit guys got all OCD about narwhals which rendered them useless. To avoid mutany, I'm taking the crew to a Star Trek convention where I'll regale many with my deft verbal adaptations of tlhlngan Hol dialects.

Hey, it was either that or try to recast the One Ring.

Holy crap! It's 2011. I've been thinking of an interesting way to approach the year, and my ponderings led me to think on ways to live out the ideal "In discipline, lies freedom".

12 months, 12 opportunities to recognize where I could stand a little more discipline. Wait, that's just a bit too much of ass kicking for me. So I whittled it down to 4 opportunities which I think will be tough yet really rewarding. There is already swearing involved.

One: Buy less shit.

Two: Look on the bright side of life

Three: Stop with the fucking caffeine already

Four: Enjoy running

So, I'll tackle these in repeating order throughout the year. I'll also (at no additional cost!) provide my insight, whining and utter contempt for narcissistic new years resolutions.

kkhopla-uh!

:) LJS

So close to CCC

2010-04-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

It's my Den and if I'm phoning in post #299 it's because I do what I darn well please around here and I'm busy planning a big (nay, a HUGE) celebration of posting here three hundred times. I can hear you now asking: "What is on the schedule LJS!?"

Let me tell you!!

A list of my favorite postings, photos of large woolly creatures, an imagined duel between The Terminator and Predator, and a new pair of running shorts (to keep up with all the running I do through Hypey's mind). There will be cheesecake.

So big big plans. Not enough time to blog, unfortunately. I miss being a regular presence in the Den, but I'm (wait) too busy (a minute) being all grown up (shit, this sucks).

:) LJS

Holiday

2010-01-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

I learned a new skill over the holidays. Well, make that two.

The most important one was how to ski on one's ass. To that end, I am a master. The "mountain"

has bestowed many multicolored symbols of my mastery, known more commonly as bruises.

The one slightly less important, but much more practical, skill is making databases in Access. I wish I had paid attention to other people when they were developing a custom-made database oh so many years ago. So, I taught myself how to do it over break and now I am slightly more skilled than an abecedarian.

If I have not already stressed that Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky" is an awesome album, I must now comment. It improves with increased listening. Your auditory senses will revel in the sweet lyrical riffs and melodic voice of Jeff Tweedy. My crew is really tired of it though, because it's the only thing playing aboard. I fear a mutany. It's a better reason than strawberries, but maybe I'll add a couple of Ryan Adams tunes to assuage their savage souls.

:) LJS

New decade, new ideas!

2009-11-24T08:32:00.000-08:00

I'm listening to Phedippidations, getting motivated to get back into the good habits that help me feel good about my body and its capabilities. I need to rediscover discipline, control and focus. For in these attributes, there is freedom. Freedom to get outside and run where ever I want, freedom to bicycle, freedom to balance on my head, and freedom to eat cake.

Is it a diet? No. I am merely acting upon the last year of wishes and reflections. Last year was spent learning what I am doing that is not helping me to be strong. This is the year of action. This is the year of not eating out 2-3 times a week, of not taking a cookie during the weekly seminar, of eating more delicious fruits and veggies.

Another thing I want to do is to tone up! I used to bicycle 25 minutes 5x/week and run 10-15 miles a week. I walked or bicycled everywhere. That sort of thing was easy for me when I didn't have a car, but it is my choice to walk or bicycle! My goal is to return to being more active, to think first of non-motorized transport (weather permitting). To run my ass off. It helps me to have goals! Being a Virgo really helps in this endeavor because I am, if anything, precise and analytical. Long-distance running really does require long-term vision because it takes so long to build up endurance. It is necessary and prudent to plan races 6-10 months in advance.

It is not here to talk about my deeds, but rather to let my deeds speak volumes. While I hope to use this blog as a way to remind me of these goals, I won't be using it to "keep track" because I have other means for doing so. I hope to have many race reports and new pictures to share!

Happy 2010!

Leaving Keats

2009-10-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

I swear, it's only a scratchy sore throat. I do not get sick.

Back from Louisville, KY. It's amazing how quickly a week passes when I'm having a good time and talking about my work and learning about other people's work. I am exactly where I belong. More details to follow.

One motivation for longevity is to see karma finally bite some people in the ass. Hard. So I run and I run some more. Because one day I'll be older but you'll be old.

I have no desire to write poems anymore. Maybe that's a good sign. Maybe it means I'm no longer in a place where the only thing I could do was retreat inside my sadness and hope that my pen could keep up. One day I wake up and realize it's been 5 years. That was when I last thought I couldn't make it through one more morning. I still don't know how I got through it. But I did, and now I still have my sadness to keep me company but it's tempered with many happy memories. Maybe I'll write a nice long post about it and delete it before publishing it. Kind of Zen huh?

:) LJS

Vegetative state

2009-10-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

Well well well. I learn something new everyday.

For example, I only just realized that today is World Vegetarian Day. Very cool! A day to celebrate vegetarians and encourage folks to enjoy the delicious natural foods that are vegetables. I grew up thinking that vegetables consisted of corn, lettuce, tomatoes and this omnipresent evil brussel sprout. Now, looking back, I can only wonder "What was I thinking"?!??

Vegetables are great! Thanks to my wonderful husband, I've tried (and really liked!) all sorts of new veggies. Artichokes, avocado, radishes, beets, fennel, parsnips, squash, zucchini and even brussel sprouts. All of them so delicious.

So Happy Vegetarian Day for all my favorite herbivores!!! In honor of today, let's dedicate ourselves to trying a new vegetable or fruit each week for the rest of the month. We'll be delightfully surprised!

:) LJS

A bit rusty

2009-09-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, I have a blog!

Because I haven't done this in a looong time, I figured I'd start with random thoughts.

1. Earbuds really are a godsend in the office. I am blasting Wilco in my ears, trying to drown out the droning of some webinar about cell culturing. It's distracting me from my important work (oh wait, so is blogging)

2. I missed my alter ego, I will enjoy blogging again. Even if its short and sweet.

3. Does anyone else feel the urge to dance while listening to their iPOD? Even if it's in public? I do!

4. I'm back on the bike. Watch out!

Summer Salads

2009-06-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've been out to blog. I know that my one follower has been chomping at the beef jerky bit for updates.

Well, my thesis has been written and turned in to my committee members. It is 204 pages of love's labor. The culmination of 10 years' study and soon to be collecting dust at a library near you.

We have a cute herb garden on our balcony. Photos to come soon!

It is H-O-T outside, but I don't let stupid things like heat stroke deter me from enjoying my running or bicycling. I'm recovered, mostly, from an unfortunate attack of tendonitis and can't wait to really start training in July.

The motorcycle is in working condition, which I have come to realize is a relative term for something that's 26 years old. It turns on, it doesn't fall apart during a ride and it's peppy as all get out. What else can one ask for in a bike?

The hot weather means its salad season. Yay for cooking as little as possible! Monday was homemade pizza with lots of veggies. Last night was a greek/orzo pasta salad and tonight I'll be making Dragon's Lemon/Herb potato salad. This weekend may be the inaugural batch of gazpacho. (yum)

Here's my greek/orzo pasta salad:

1/2 bag spinach, chopped

Some black olives, chopped finely

1/4 red onion, chopped finely

Some feta cheese, chopped

1 1/2-2 cups orzo pasta

Olive oil, sea salt, fresh cracked pepper, balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Add the spinach, olives, cheese and onion in a bowl. Mix in some olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

2. Cook the pasta. Drain, let cool.

3. Add the pasta to the other ingredients. Throw in some more olive oil and vinegar for good measure.

4. Toss all the goodness together and enjoy!

Super easy, can be made vegan by substituting hard tofu for feta.

Note bene! Both recipes call for balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is one of those things that a chef should not skimp on. You don't use too much of it, so it should be packed with deliciousness. Go to a deli or fine foods store and find yourself some good, sweet, syrup-like balsamic. You taste buds will love you for it.

FSM invades your joint

2009-05-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Funny title huh? If you don't know what FSM is by now, check out the pastafarianism here.

I made what I think is my best slide picture ever. EVER! (seriously, it's awesome!) Check it out below! It's a cross-sectional representation of the cartilage/bone interface. The squiggly lines are collagen, the circles are chondrocytes (aka cartilage cells)

But now that I'm looking at it again, it does look like little FSMs are all over.
{sigh} Maybe one of my committee members will get a kick out of making similar interpretation.

Behold!

My very first follower!

2009-05-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! I has a follower! It feels like it's Secret Santa season and I'm all excited. (wait, I already mentioned this)

Welcome to spring everyone! The apple blossoms are in bloom and they are my absolute favorite aroma. During my run, I ran past about 5-6 trees all in a cluster and I stopped to just inhale deeply their luscious, pungent, sharp aroma. In fact, I think that I'm going to bicycle past it on my way home just so I can smell them again. How wonderful!

On the by and by, I slaughtered over 12,000 calories in April. twelve freakin' THOUSAND! Take THAT mischievous remnants of cheesecake. muahahahahaha!!

:) LJS

Snails Pace

2009-04-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

I'm at 78.2 miles this month, with two more runs left. Oh yes. I am getting there, slowly and surely!

Yesterday's run was good. I started off on the hilly part of the 5 mile loop. Why haven't I thought to get rid of the hard part early on when I have more energy? My legs are...sore and tight and unhappy. But bicycling into work today seemed to help a bit.

About this whole Twitter thing. I admit that I've been following Hyperion and Ryan Adams on Twitter. (Hyperion, this is really a compliment to you. You're in the same company as Ryan Adams!) Am I going to Twitter? Uh. No. Probably not, I mean. First of all, it seems crack-a-licious fun to be micro-blogging and I'd be doing it like every two minutes. Which would a) feed my scattered tendencies and b) seriously diminish whatever vestige of productivity I have going on. But it does seem fun.

And, the motorcycles are OUT and working. I am awaiting new handlebars so I can promptly drop the bike and bend a new set. {sigh} REI is having a sale on lightweight camping gear, so I may trek over there and see what they have in preparation for the "Esmonde-White Tour of America" to take place this summer.

OK. Time to finish Chapter 3. Chow!

A new land distance record?

2009-04-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

In order to avoid the wrath of Hyperion's "wit", I decided that I will just write a "bit" a day. Wait. I'm sure I can haiku this sentiment...

Hypey's biting wit
I avoid because I care
Thus I write a bit

Heh.

Anyhoo. I am loving my outdoor performance gear sunglasses. They are fashionable, lightweight and make me look so darn cute! And, I registered for the Dexter-Ann Arbor half marathon! It will (alas) be my only spring race. But, I do have a budget and I do have summer plans that I must save up for.

This month, so far, I have run 73 miles. This is very close to my record of 78.4 miles in July 2006. I am psyched because I have three more running days left in April and I know that I will make a new record this month. I wasn't even trying to break my distance record. Yay for this new moderate-consistent plan! I am enjoying a longer run mid-week, it makes the Sunday long run feel a bit more within reach.

On Target

2009-04-02T08:37:00.000-07:00

March was a good running month for me! I met my weekly goals for the whole month, 4 days a week and my mileage goals.
My grand total of 62 miles was muchly improved over February.

But, old demons are starting to rear their ugly head. Things like a tight hamstring, tight quads are making me sore. I am hoping that, now I am bicycling to school again, my muscles will start to feel better.

It does look like I will be able to meet my mileage goals. But I fear that my funds are too low to support registering for all of the races I wanted to run in this spring. I need a new pair of OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE GEAR sunglasses, which are a bit pricey. And, I can't have both the sunglasses and four race registrations...I'm too fiscally responsible for that sort of thing.
So...I'm still keeping Cleveland and Dexter-Ann Arbor, the Road Ends is up in the air but the Martian 10K is out.

That first burst of spring

2009-03-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Warm weather is coming my way, in fits and spurts. The first of the crocus flowers and the daffodils are greeting us and I too feel like I am making my way out of the cold and the haze. If slowly and with trepidation.

My running is going well! The 4x/week program is good and I'm slowing creeping back up the mileage. Now I complain. Whyyyyy? Because it's my blog and I'll whine if I want to...
anyhoo....
My right hamstring feels like a rubber band, after being left out in the dead of winter, that is now being stretched to its limit. It feels tight and crackly and I almost screamed in yoga class today getting into a downward-facing dog. That posture used to be one of my favorites, now it is painful!? One harbinger of old age, I understand, is that my body will start to complain and whine and sometimes just break down (a la the "hamstring incident" of 2008).
But, I also know that giving up is also a sign of aging. So, I'll be stretching more often. Spending more time doin' those yoga poses that make my muscles ache.

Momentous moments have occurred, and I feel settled for now. If not slightly overwhelmed because I just (I think) offered to write a grant application ON TOP OF my thesis served with a side plate of post-doc job application. Oh yes, I did just say THESIS.

I'm writing up baby. YEAH!!

:) LJS

I'm training

2009-03-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

"Let's face it, most of us are scoffers. But moments before zero hour, it did not pay to take chances." -Ralphie

It is time to train. It is time to deny, push, and push some more. I have set some hard goals for the spring! Four races in three months, maybe two half-marathons. From April 'til June, I'll be lacing up in the wee hours of the morning and hitting the road in a test of my will and my physical self. The long runs are getting longer.

Some quick changes here in the Den: I changed the "photos" links to all of the races I plan to run. And I'll be posting more about my training, mostly to keep up my energy. I need all the help I can give myself...so I can beat myself. Existential huh?

So this year, I have made peace with my 4 runs/week training schedule. I just can't push myself to do 5. So, I am trying a variation on the moderate-consistent plan (see Episode 76) in which I have less days to run, but I run longer during those runs. I think it'll be good.

:) LJS

A new series

2009-02-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

I've heard many stupid things relating to the economy lately. Things like bonuses, posh retreats and what-haves for bankers bailed out by our previous administration. Kudos to Obama for putting the smackdown on bonuses, BTW.

So I'm starting a new series called "Stop Whining". It's a populist-style rant for all the well-heeled people who think that these economic times mean things like buying a $2000 dress instead of a $5000 dress, less vacationing in Aspen, no private jets and driving themselves around. Basically, people who don't know what it feels like to be on the cusp of losing everything.

Ironically, I've heard the MOST bitching from these sorts of people. Mostly in the New York Times. Both entertaining and infuriating.

Segment 1: Gee, how can I possibly live on 500k a year? And, the Consumerist responds.

Scientific Malaise

2009-02-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

For some reason, I'm feeling really rotten today. To paraphrase Jimmy Carter, a feeling of malaise has washed over me.

Instead of sleeping it off, genius me is here at work instead because I want to go for a run later this afternoon. And I'd feel bad if I did stay at home and felt well enough to go out for a run. So I figured I'd suffer for the cause and at least be a warm body. A warm body that wants to pass out over my laptop and take a nice long snooze.

I'm taking this opportunity to catch up on reading journal articles. I have about 20 journals that I like to cruise through. On rare occasions, I find very good articles. Most of them time, I'm neither impressed or disappointed. Then, I find articles that makes me want to go kick some butt.

Take this one for example:
"Application of multi-factorial design of experiments to successfully optimize immunoassays for robust measurements of therapeutic proteins"

So DOE is a fancy way of saying "planning our experiments beforehand so we know we'll get good results". Standard fare, IMHO. So why do they get to publish THAT? It'll be practical,sure. But it does not advance scientific knowledge when someone says "I did the scientific method". I saw alot of presentations like this at Photonics West-stuff that's either 20 years old or presented LAST year at the same conference (same slides, almost same order=new presentation! Who knew?)Pretty disappointing, actually.

Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Vet, an old pro

2009-01-22T14:46:00.001-08:00

I hope that someone reminds me to pay my taxes and properly vet staff members before I run for Senate.

kthks

Inaugural mishaps

2009-01-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

What a fantastic moment-yesterday-when I had both President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts in the same frame of my computer monitor. My geek-crush-o-meter was through the roof! I noted that Roberts did not wear an overcoat. Take THAT Chuck Norris! Chief Justice Roberts is so tough that he looks at frostbite in the eye and says "Bite me".

Unfortunately, he wasn't so suave during the oath adminstration. But then again, neither was Obama.

For this very human moment, and the fact that it now meant we're no longer under the thumb of Bush and his evil henchmen, it was my favorite moment of the inauguration.

Hey...that's a good name for a rock band "Bush and His Evil Henchmen". Too soon?

It's all mental

2009-01-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

It would seem that I am on track to meet this week's food and fitness goals, provided I don't get lazy on Saturday. Well, except for having two extra coffee drinks this week. But hey! It's very cold outside and I'm probably needing those extra calories just to survive.

I am always impressed at how good music can improve my mental state, especially during my runs. Last night, I breezed through two miles at a nice pace. I was listening to some of my favorite running tunes from Moby, Radiohead and Jane's Addiction. I felt like Deena Kastor, the American marathon record holder (at 5:19 minute-miles!):

How I looked in reality?
Hahahaha!

Idea for recipe!

2009-01-15T07:47:00.001-08:00

I owe Hyperion some home-baked goodness and I have been thinking that I'd send him something sweet and unusual. I have a neat idea and I need feedback please! First, some background.

1) This morning I read an article about the latest food craze-salted caramel. Apparently, even Starbucks has a salted caramel hot chocolate. Mostly, these salted caramels are served with chocolate or covered with chocolate.

2) Next item! Another recent trend is the spicy chocolate. Chocolate kicked up a notch (sorry, had to use that) with the addition of some smoky ancho chili flavoring, cinnamon or cayenne.

I think that a spicy chocolate coated salted caramel would be really yummy and adventurous. The details, I am still working out. But I think that either a spicy chocolate brownie with salted caramel topping (a new twist on the turtle brownie) or a chocolate-coated caramel OR a spicy chocolate truffle with bits of the caramel inside the truffle. What do you think?

:) LJS

Recipe: Spinach salad

2009-01-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Lorraine is a wonderful, creative chef and one of my main culinary inspirations. (along with
Dragon!)

This salad recipe is adapted from her "Popeye salad". Fennel is in season now and a wonderful vegetable!

4 cups fresh, clean spinach
One bulb fennel, sliced thinly
1/4 small red onion, sliced thinly
1-2 oranges, peeled, and sliced
Some mint leaves (optional)

Optional step: The night before you prepare the salad, slice fennel bulb and store in fridge with some water and mint leaves.

Prepare your salad by adding all of the ingredients. Try adding some mint leaves to the salad too! Dress the salad with olive oil, freshly cracked pepper and sea salt and some balsamic vinegar.

Enjoy!
:) LJS

PS: I highly recommend "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan

PPS: Diplomacy through wine? I love it!

Updated 1/17/09 with photos!

More tunes!

2009-01-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

Because I mostly refuse to buy into the whole entertainment-industrial complex, I have to wait until new music comes to the local library before I can listen to the bands I really like.

Just borrowed from the library is "Narrow Stairs" by Death Cab for Cutie and "Michigan" from Sufjan Stevens. I am enjoying very much!

Recipe: Broiled Grapefruit

2009-01-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

Hurray for citrus season! I love winter because fresh oranges are available for salads, limes for mojitos, and grapefruit for breakfast. If you are bored with cold grapefruit in the mornings, try this delicious variation.
NB: Grapefruit should be at room temperature to ensure even baking.

1 fresh pink grapefruit
brown sugar
cinnamon

1. Set oven to 350C
2. Cut grapefruit in half, remove seeds and section
3. Spread an even, thin, layer of brown sugar over the top. Use the back of a spoon to squeeze the sugar into the fruit. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. Bake at 350 for 4-5 minutes
5. Turn the oven up to broil and broil 3-4 minutes, or until the top is browned.
6. Remove from oven and enjoy!

A mint garnish is a delightful addition.

Oh the places we'll go!

2009-01-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, I'd like to encourage everyone to read "American Gods" by Neil Gaimon. It's an interesting treatise on how certain places resonate strongly with a person, or a people. For example, why is Wall Drug so darn popular? I had thought that this idea of resonate places is expressed through music, so I did a little experiment with my meager iTUNES library. Check out all the good places!
Leave in the comments your iTUNES places and I'll summarize them next week.
Travel well, :) LJS

Amsterdam	Coldplay
Angel Of Harlem	U2
Avalon	Roxy Music
Back In The U.S.S.R.	The Beatles
Belleville Jungle	Ben Charest
Breakfast In America	Supertramp
Chicago	Sufjan Stevens
Concerning The UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois	Sufjan Stevens
Dear Chicago	Ryan Adams
Dracula From Houston	Butthole Surfers
El Salvador	Athlete
Galapogos	Smashing Pumpkins
(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66	Nat King Cole
Going To California	Led Zeppelin
Gone Hollywood	Supertramp
India	Roxy Music
Jacksonville	Sufjan Stevens
La Llorona	DeVotchKa
Last Boat To America	David Gray
Laughing River	Greg Brown
Marching Bands Of Manhattan	Death Cab For Cutie
Memphis	Ryan Adams
Mercy Street	Peter Gabriel
Mexicali Blues	Grateful Dead
Montego Bay Spleen	St. Germain
My Blue Manhattan	Ryan Adams
N.Y.	Doves
New Amsterdam	Travis
New York, New York	Ryan Adams
Off Broadway	Ryan Adams
Oh My Sweet Carolina	Ryan Adams
The Only Living Boy In New York	Simon & Garfunkel
Portland Oregon	Loretta Lynn/Jack White
Radio Free Europe	R.E.M.
Savoy Truffle	The Beatles
Streets Of Philadelphia	Bruce Springsteen
Texarkana	R.E.M.
Theme From New York, New York	Frank Sinatra
Via Chicago	Wilco
Viva Las Vegas	Elvis Presley
The White Cliffs Of Dover	The Righteous Brothers

2009 Spring goals

2009-01-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

I was feeling quite ambitious a couple of posts ago about my spring running schedule. Then I remembered what got me into so much trouble and pain last year-ambition. So I decided to modify my goals. They're still challenging (4 races in 3 months), but not over the top. It's more important to be healthy and I want to give my left leg a chance to get better. But, if I had wanted to run the Martian half, I would need to start increasing mileage at the end of January and I don't think that it's ready quite yet. January will be booring...slogging through being consistent.
The first two weeks will be no more than 3 miles, 5x/week. The last two weeks, I'll increase to 3 miles, 5x/week.

Here is my modified Spring schedule.

April 7th: A 10K Meteor race in the Martian series of races
April 25th: Road ends 5 mile trail race
May 17th: A half-marathon in Cleveland
June 1st: Dexter-Ann Arbor 10K

Medicinally Modified

2009-01-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

{yawn}
I'm waiting for the Sudafed to kick in. Ever since I've been afflicted with the Toddler Germ of Doom, my sinuses have been wrecking havoc on my tender little head. But I hate taking medicine. Hence the conundrum of waiting way too long to take Sudafed and now suffering until my nose is clear and the pill knocks me out. Hopefully soon.

Speaking of 'hopefully soon'-new running shoes are supposed to be here this very week. I am getting a pair of Mizuno Wave Alchemy shoes. The shoes just look bad ass, I love the green! I figure that my current shoes, while not yet quite at the point of completely falling apart, are a source of my chronic weirdo-knee problem. So...new shoes. And, yes! This does mean a contest for best shoe name. I'm thinking of invoking some of the Goonies for this one.

Tomorrow marks the first working day of 2009 and I am...woefully unprepared for it. Heck, I'm not even getting a good night's sleep. During holidays, I tend to get nocturnal...going to bed at 1 or even 2 am. So it's tough to get out of that habit, mostly because it's probablly my natural schedule.

And, tomorrow begins my foray into the Shrinking Piggies. My goal is to lose 10 pounds, but that is really beside the point. I want to critically examine my eating and exercise choices and see what is not healthy and what I can do to making things more healthy and more fun. I did have fun during the holidays though-making cheesecakes, candy and cookies. But I didn't really eat too much of that-it was nice to have it in the house as a treat.

Arrrrgh! :) LJS

Yay for Christmas Redux!

2008-12-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas Redux is going well so far! :)

Merry Christmas, redux

2008-12-25T19:24:00.000-08:00

I hereby announce that Christmas will be held (again) in 2 days' time. Some days just really should be done over. Like from scratch.

So, here is my plan for Merry Christmas 2. MC2 for short, or E. Because they ARE equal after all. (heh. nerd humor)

Wake up at a leisurely hour. Take a nice warm shower and put on my favorite comfy clothes. Prepare lattes and crepes. Go out shopping with the MAN for a new pair of running shoes and inserts. Test drive the new shoes for a few miles and relax at the gym. Come home in the late afternoon and make a simple dinner. Enjoy a funny movie with a glass of my favorite sparkling wine. Fall asleep thankful for perfect days, lovely friends, and a wonderful husband.

So, keep up the merry cheer for two more days for your biological sibling-challenged pirate. I'm now accepting applications for the role of LJS sibling. Your primary mission, should you choose to accept it, is to not break my heart with everything you say and do. That, and eat all of my yummy cooking creations. If no applications are received, I'll be drafting people.

The Empress Returns

2008-12-23T20:26:00.000-08:00

My favorite feline empress, Kukka Maria, has been back online for a full 9 months and I have only now noticed?? That means I have 9 months' of funny-as-heck blogging to catch up on. So check her out, and she's back on the Blog Roll.

What a fortuitous turn of events! Now I'll have something to actually DO this holiday season. Maybe I can start my thesis. {giggle}

Not that watching someone play video games is boring or anything. And we'll soon be having a visitor who loves video games even more. Thank Ceiling Cat that I didn't look for a Wii.

Oh yeah. Merry Christmas!

Winter symbiosis

2008-12-18T07:45:00.001-08:00

What goes better than peanut butter with pancakes, hot cocoa with whipped cream, macaroni with cheese?

Heavy snowfall and a day of baking, in comfy clothes and a Santa hat.

We are in for a Winter BONANZA! Yippee!! Starting tonight after the peoples are nestled all snug in their beds, mother nature will bestow upon us mortals 11 inches of snow in less than 24 hours. Now if the weather people actually have their predictions right, this is looking to be a prime opportunity to "work from home". (forgetting the fact that, yeah, I probably could walk to work)

And by "work from home", I mean finally getting my Christmas baking on. I plan to be making all sorts of delicious goodies that include some cookies, candy, cheesecakes (yes, that's a plural!), and lasagna.

It's a perfect storm of a semi-legit reason to stay at home, procrastination, and a gigantic sweet tooth.

:) LJS

It's the end of an era!

2008-12-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

I am less than 12 hours from my last class that I will ever *have to* take. After 11 years of on again/off again classwork, this is a most-welcome conclusion. It's the end of an era folks! And, now I am one step closer to the point where my mom can't pick on me for being a professional student.

I'm also working on a paper for a conference proceeding. It is very tempting to make the whole thing a beta version, because I don't think anyone reads them. But said paper has to be vetted by The Chief, and beta versions simply will not do. I have a reputation to maintain (I think). I just wish I could work in the word "awesome" into one paper..just once.

Watched "Step Brothers" last night. That was one funny, but foul, movie. But I love me some Will Farrell. Seriously, I'd watch that guy read the newspaper.

Stop on over at the Monkey Barn. Hyperion has gift suggestions and a video that is guaranteed to make you smile.

Mostly Tepid Person

2008-12-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

David Gregory!?!? {sigh}
_________________________________________________________
I decided to join up with the Shrinking Piggies-a nice group of fellow bloggers who are trying to lose some poundage. Marital bliss and I are getting along very well and, as a result, 15 pounds of happiness have found their way to my...everywhere.

It's never too late or too early to start changing life habits, setting goals and making choices that will make my life better. Me? I enjoy seeing the amazing battle of will power and the couch of doom. Of course, the couch of doom will LOSE. Hahahaha.

My ambitious 2009 goals? Well here we go:
1. 3 half-marathons in the spring (Martian, Cleveland, Ann Arbor-Dexter).
1a. 15-20 miles running/week with consistency, by the end of Jan.
2. Working out 6 days/week. Even if it's *just* a 2 mile walk to the library and back.
3. No desserts except on the weekends.
4. Eat out only 1x/week. 1 mid-afternoon latte/week.

Of course 1 and 1a is all predicated on healthy knees. But, that's what PT is for right?
:) LJS

Christmas Baking

2008-12-03T12:03:00.001-08:00

For a few happy Christmas seasons, Hea and I would play hooky, dress in our most comfy jammies and bake cookies all day long. We made anywhere from 6-8 different kinds of cookies and, at the end of the day, we had a 1 foot layer of cookies on her kitchen table. It was all sorts of yummy. At the end of our day, we'd order cheese pizza (extra well-done please) and ogle over our favorite spygirl: Jennifer Garner. I miss Hea all the time, but especially this time of year. Hopefully, she and Yaz will make their own cookies!

Anyhoo, THE MAN and I will be creating our own traditions this year. It's our first year together (as in we're not separated by 1000 km!) and we're planning on making candy and baked goods. I'm thinking of breaking out of the cookie mold, but it will mean that the goods will not last as long. So it'll mean I'll have to share the baked love more quickly.

Some candidates for the Christmas goodies? Gosh, go over to Dragon's kitchen and take your pick! I'm excited about her Caramel Cake with Carmelized Butter Frosting, and Cheesecake Pops. I think I'll still make the Michigan Treasure cookies since they were so yummy.

As for the candy? We're thinking hard candy-maybe some toffee, or peanut brittle, or a ginger/cinamon concoction.

Dunder NASA

2008-12-03T11:22:00.001-08:00

Update on Dr. Purr

2008-11-28T08:11:00.000-08:00

An update on Dr. Purr:

I went to the Ann Arbor Cat Clinic on Monday to pick up a copy of Howie's rabies certificate and was so happy to see Dr. Purr.

He has gained weight and his coat is shiny and pretty. He has some grey in his fur, so he's probably not just 2 years old. And he is playful!

This is a nice story of what some good food and love in a safe home can do for a cat. Miracle workers, that clinic. He still needs a home. Maybe if I work on the MAN a bit more, Howie can have a brudder.

:) LJS

Lost in Translation

2008-11-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

So with all this news lately about pirates, I've decided to give my pirate crew the holidays off. I have complete faith that they will hijack a nuclear submarine, nuke the bastards that are giving us a bad name, and then return all the stolen booty to their original owners. (Including returning the submarine, DESPITE my oft wanderlust about having such a sub in my fleet.)

That's my crew. Righteous limeys. The Robin Hoods of the open seas. {sniffle} I'm so proud of them.

In light of my crew's holiday, I've decided to take a break also. No, the break is not from my already sporatic written musings, which may one day be used against me in a court of law.

Instead, the break is from being shy. I'm about to get all hate-filled Twinkie here on you, dear reader so I will forgive y'all if you decide to stop reading here. (legal notice: the "hate-filled Twinkie" is a registered trademark of KaplyInc...whom I love dearly and fear regularly)

I've noticed that I'm pretty freaking sick and tired of being the evil genius behind the curtain. I'm pretty darn smarht and cute and charming and personal. When those don't work, I can amaze you with the power of a wooden peg leg. Anyhoo, why should I let people speak for me when I know that I can do just as well or even better?

(Oh sweet Garfield, I'm not about to invoke Hillary am I? Oh yes.)

I fear that I've lost my voice. And by golly, I'm going to find it. Slackers, dissenters, and asshats watch out. Here comes Lady Jane.

Something new

2008-11-20T14:54:00.001-08:00

Thought it'd be nice to have change here in the Den.
:) LJS

Anything is a nutritional supplement

2008-11-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

This is one for all the chemists out there to enjoy a little chuckle:
"Systematic review of the nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the treatment of osteoarthritis"

LOL. Nutritional Supplements.

Thanks to our Heroes

2008-11-11T07:38:00.001-08:00

more animals

Go-TV

2008-11-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,
I used to think that GOTV was a television station. Heh. It's not. It means 'get out the vote'. In my support of Go-TV, I am letting all of my officers and ship crew off the boat for the whole day.

I would like to encourage everyone to go out and vote on Tuesday. The lines are going to be long, but be prepared! Bring a water, a puzzle and patience.

Wait in line.

Either way you slice it, this year's election is very important. Your vote, your voice, needs to be heard. There are local, state and federal issues that needs your input.

Wait in line.

:) LJS

LOL Cattery

2008-10-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

My late Sunday mewsings....

1. No, 'obligations' was not about anyone anyone knows. Especially not you Dragon. You know I love you.

2. I'm still too enthralled with LOL cats to be bothered with reality.

3. I know that you, too, are waiting with baited breath for my 2008 Detroit post-race post-mortem. It is coming.

4. The man is playing a game where he shoots bubbles. Bubbles. At least zombie targets are...potentially useful...someday.

5. GO AND VISIT HYPERION AND GIVE HIM LOTS OF LOVE. Do it now.

hee hee hee...btw. I just came up with 'mewsings'. Isn't it fab and clever?

Five times 13.1

2008-10-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome, LJS fans, to another edition of "half marathon post-mortem"! I'm your complainer-in-chief, LJS, and I'll be your host for these next thirteen miles...and then some.

Let me first mention how much lactic acid accumulation sucks ass. OK. There. It's said and done and I still can't walk down a flight of stairs without a grimace.

First, let me give major love to Lord Mullett who was roused from a peaceful slumber at 4:30 am to drive me and GM to the race. Thanks honey.

Onward with the program we go!

Pre-race: 2008 has been a long journey of blind ambition to desolation to resolution to accomplishment. It was simply enough to be there and to feel ready to run. It was a cold, dark morning in downtown Detroit. I woke up before 5am. A group of over 25,000 people gather in and it was so exciting.

Before the bridge are miles 0-3. I call them the innocent miles: This is the point where my body doesn't realize I'm about to ask it to run 13.1 miles. It is happy to just be out there running. Little does it know!
So things started off slow, it was about 6 minutes for our section to hit the start line. There were lots of people and we were all running in sync, so imagine thousands of heads bobbling at the same pace. It was cool. We got off to an easy pace and I felt good, aside from some tightness in my right leg. Energy was high and I really was just happy to be out there. The entertainment and fluid stations were great, as always.
The first mile marker is at mile 2. Now, runners are sort of an anal bunch when it comes to time. YES even for those like me who say they aren't. We are. We just try to lie about it. So, at mile 2, we're at a good starting pace.

Miles 3-6. Bah. These miles are so boring, with the exception of watching the sun rise over the Ambassador Bridge. Getting onto the bridge was slow because of construction. At mile 5, I noticed that our 'good starting pace' has lasted too long. It's pretty evident that we'll have to work harder to make up some time. Loaded up on Gu here.

Miles 7-9. These miles are sort of painful because you go from high energy to some weird la-la land of surviving. This stretch finishes our time in Windsor, we run under the water and make it back to Detroit. Here, I was starting to get tired. The tunnel was really warm and I took off one of my shirts. Big mistake because when we hit the surface, man it was cold. Our pace was better, and I was having fun. I wasn't feeling as wiped out as I usually do at this point in previous races, so I take that as a sign I did something right.

Miles 10-12. Oy. These are the miles when your body knows it can finish but your brain begins to revolt. Constant fighting between my body and mind. I knew on a body/cellular level that I was OK, I was trained for this and I can finish the distance. But my brain kept on telling me that I really should stop and sit down. Stupid brain! I just told myself to hang on. And, hopefully next time someone will tell the crowd "less cowbell".

Mile 13: Gosh, the only thing I really remember about this last stretch was a nice old man telling us "last turn, you can see the finish line". And we did. But it was sooooooo far away. Finishing the last 0.2 miles with people all around you and cheering you on is great. We saw Francis in the midst of all of those people, and it made me smile so much because this was my first race that I was running toward him because he was there. It was great, the first of many I hope!

Post-race: some hobbling around and trying to get hydrated and some nutrition.
Thanks again for a great run, GM. Next destination: MARS!
:D

Obligations

2008-10-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

Open letter to the over-promising, under-delivering twit:

Yes yes yes I know that what you are doing is overwhelmingly time consuming. But you should know that also and, as a result, NOT volunteer for other things. Let me tell you that I do not care that you are busy. Do what you said you were going to do. Dammit. If you do not fulfill your obligations...I will bear down on you with consequences and fury. Or at least make other people do it for me.
No, I don't think that your boss will be happy to learn that you volunteered to do something and now are backing out at the last minute.

Sincerely yours, the drill instructor LJS
___________________________________________
Folks, I know I've complained about this sort of thing before here and on the Monkey Barn. But I am a very strong believer in doing what you say you are going to do (aka following up on your word). For starters, often times your word is the only thing you have and it better be good or else your reputation is in the gutter. Another view is that your reputation is not built on the promises you make but on the promises you deliver. Now, this kid's reputation with me is on shaky ground, at best, and when I ask for volunteers in the future I will remember this unfortunate event. I will not tolerate the "I'm busy" excuse because WE ARE ALL BUSY, dammit. And most of us still find time to fulfill obligations and promises.

The G word

2008-10-16T06:10:00.000-07:00

I believe that government is not a dirty word. I believe that government is made of people like US and can make lives better. I've experienced this on a very personal level: I would not be able to have gone to college if government did not give me a low-cost loan. I believe that it is morally and socially responsible to make sure that everybody has the right to lead a healthy happy life. Moreover, it makes economic sense to invest in education or preventative medicine instead of building more prisons or spending money to treat diseases that could have been avoided by simple preventative measures.

I see that my tax dollars, while not always spent in a manner I agree with (Iraq), are spent so my cousin, who is a single mom, can get free health care for her son. I see that people's lives are made better. I've seen people fed and housed; poor people having access to careers, education, transportation. Police now have armor vests and better technology to keep us safe. Research gets supported. Small businesses get start-up grants. How are these things bad?

So what that the government spends money on things you don't agree with? Do you really think that 300 million people are going to agree on anything? I think that government tries its best to help as many people as possible (when they're not "shock and awe"-ing them, but I digress).

I don't believe that if people were taxed less, they would necessarily donate that money to charitable causes. Look at tithes, as an example. Ask: How many people do you know tithe? How many churches are always asking for more money? Every church I know of is always underfunded, understaffed; always in danger of closing. Why? There is an unfortunate disconnect. Do you really think that they'd support other agencies if they can't/don't/won't even support their own church?

I'm not arguing for tax increases. I'm simply stating I recognize that government can be (and is generally) an agent of good. It's not a dirty word.

Can you adopt a loving cat?

2008-10-13T10:52:00.001-07:00

Howie KATT had his annual vet visit last week. I wish it had gone well, but we got stuck with Dr. Inept Newbie because I forgot the name of his regular vet (never again, shall I forget her sweet name).

One GREAT thing about Howie's vet office is that they love cats. In fact, they are a cat-only clinic. Their adoption program is wonderful and I like to come to Howie's appointment early so I can play with all of the cats waiting for a loving home.

This year, one just nearly broke my heart. Meet Dr. Purr. Let me tell you about him. He was found in a dumpster at a local hospital along with some insulating foam. He's had a rough start! When I first met him at the cat clinic, he was shy and tired. But I opened his cage and started to give him "feeder love" and he instantly became a purring monster-wanting more attention and cuddling. Dr. Purr is so sweet and so kind and is one of those cats that will always love his feeder. He reminds me so much of Howie when I found him-a bit in rough shape but very affectionate, very mild mannered and very much ready for a good home.

I wish I could bring home Dr. Purr, but I think Lord Mullett would not be pleased.

Can you?

:) LJS

Elect Nietzsche!

2008-10-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

Depressing times calls for a depressing leader. What is little-known this year, what with all the association issues, is that Nietzsche is running for President on the "Well-Preserved" ticket.
Never mind he is not an American, or even still alive.

Here is some thrilling sound bytes from the "recession is the new tech bubble" wave that's taking this country by storm!

"When you gaze long into the economy, the economy gazes back."
"Terrorist" (oops, wrong campaign! my bad)

And, for those of you concerned about Supreme Court nominees, Herr Fred has this to say:

"Although the most acute judges of the witches and even the witches themselves, were convinced of the guilt of witchery, the guilt nevertheless was non-existent. It is thus with all guilt. "

If you missed all 20+ of the Democrat party debates, you'll find this statement a stunning admission of his sexism!

"Behind all their personal vanity, women themselves always have an impersonal contempt for pigs with lipstick."

Dante found a new job!

2008-10-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

see Sarah Palin pictures

Top 10!

2008-10-08T14:34:00.001-07:00

Thanks to RandyO for:

The top ten reasons to buy a Honda Nighthawk

1. It looks like a motorcycle.

2. It doesn’t look like a lime green fish.

3. Nobody will steal it for parts.

4. It’s not a Harley.

5. You won’t wake up your neighbors if you ride in at night.

6. You don’t need an electric motor to back out of your parking space.

7. If you drop it in your driveway, your ego is the only thing that gets damaged.

8. You can ride it like a squid if you’re in the mood.

9. You can ride it like a grandmother if you’re not in the mood.

10. You don’t have to dress up in a neon colored kevlar clown suit to go riding.

Friendly bacteria, my ass

2008-09-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

(the title is for, TL. hope you're feeling better)
I'm still seething at the stupidity of the punk ass bitch who just so happens to be my TA for the semester. Watch me grit my teeth as I pretend to be nice to the soulless bastard. Instead of walking down to his office and beating him to a pulp using my awesome hybrid ninja-pirate skills, I choose to take out my aggression on consumer goods.

My therapist calls this progress.

I was reading the contents on the container of my Dannon yogurt and found something silly. There’s a list, a top 7 if you will, of the “reasons to enjoy Dannon today and for tomorrow”.

I present to you dear reader, verbatum...the reasons.

Be fit. Contains calcium which can help with weight management
Be vital. Is a good source of protein for muscle maintenance
Be comfortable. Has active cultures that help milk digestion
Be strong. Has calcium, essential for strong bones
Be nourished. Contains important nutrients for children’s growth
Be proactive. Provides friendly bacteria for your digestive tract
Be happy! Is a great-tasting and satisfying part of your healthy diet.

Read carefully.

Now, here are my issues. (allow me, once again, to get all John McLaughlin on you good people)

Issue 1: Numbers 1 and 3 are arguing for the same ingredient, calcium, just in different ways

Issue 2: The active cultures ARE bacteria, so numbers 3 and 6 are the same.

Issue 3: The important nutrients? Calcium and protein. So, there goes number 5.

Thus the actual number of reasons to eat Dannon yogurt are three.

Has nutrients
Has bacteria
Tastes yummy

Don’t let them fool you. Bastards, each and every one.

Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying

2008-09-24T12:18:00.001-07:00

...have I raved about Pandora yet? Well, maybe I should start. Music. Free. The good stuff.

I'm returning to the classics today: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Roxy Music, Supertramp and The Beatles. I sometimes wish polyester was cool again.

Yeah, totally crushing on Nick Cave. The 'stache is fab. Awesomely fab.

I wish I could be a Mexican federale, sometimes. Or Leonard from "Raising Arizona" sans explosive ending.

I have ridden my motorcycle in 3 months than my dad has in 2 years. And mine's been broken.

In my dreams, I have met Hyperion and he makes excellent eggs with rye toast. It's not clear if Hypey has a 'stache though.

Is it bad to hold off on a job search until the election results are in? There ARE some opportunities in New Zealand.

I would really like to meet the Monkey Barners (present and alumni).

Random enough?

International LJS day!

2008-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

It was my day earlier this week. Check it out!

MTP isn't the same

2008-09-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I miss Tim Russert still.

Stupid zealots

2008-09-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

There is alot of political garbage out there. To a point, one can maintain a sense of humor. But, then that line gets crossed and it's just got to stop. I'm on the left, but I'm just aghast at some of the baloney floating out there from both sides.

Can we agree to:
1. Properly frame our arguments? The left has been absolutely horrible in its examination of Sarah Palin. Her record, and how it pertains to the issues of our economy, infrastructure, standing the world etc are important. Conspirary theories about this woman's progeny, the cost of her glasses and questioning her ability to do the VP job and be a mother at the same time is really bullshit. I question her ability to do the VP job. Period. (Shouldn't you?)

2. Stop this bullshit about Obama's religion? Seriously folks, the man is a Christian. Get over the funny-sounding name already. Slips of the tongue get the best of us, but what the right has done with this particular slip by Obama is...unchristian.

The bully wears lipstick

2008-09-05T08:19:00.001-07:00

It's pretty well known on the high seas that this pirate doesn't watch TV. So, I read the transcript for Sarah Palin's acceptance speech on Wednesday night because I've heard alot about it.

After the usual narrative about how she's a regular kind of gal, the teeth came out and so did the vicious attacks. Despite the fact that I can relate to her as a woman trying to balance home and work, I came to the overwhelming conclusion that this woman is just plain mean.

I can't help but think: What does it say about someone's character when they use their national introduction as an opportunity to lie, lie some more, mock regular people, bully and attack other people?

Now, compare the tone and content of Palin's acceptance speech to Barack Obama's speech on race. And afterwards, just try to tell me that all politicians are the same.

Guess the politician

2008-08-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

...no experience in foreign affairs
...shading dealings
...blatant pandering to the public

who am I talking about??

Sarah Palin folks!
In his obvious pandering to the female vote, McCain finds himself someone who completely negates all of the arguments "lack of experience" against Obama. I mean seriously. McCain is 72. And, do you really think that for one second that this woman who just got sworn in as Alaska's governor (after an earth-shattering 14 year career in local politics) can fill the shoes as president?

Much more cheerful post

2008-08-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

...and more random.

It occured to me today that I wrote the book on Raman spectroscopy of cartilage and Raman spectroscopy of inorganic pigments. "So I have that going for me."

I need to pick up coffee tonight. And, I need to put up curtains in our bedroom. We do have shades, but our nocturnal feline loves to set up his night watch duties on our bedroom window sill. And all throughout the night, we hear the pitter patter of blinds hitting each other has Howie KATT runs through them. I think I can hear him thinking "I am praying for my loved ones" during the night.

I've been listening to Barenaked Ladies. I like their cover of Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time": " but nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight --
got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight"
...so true eh?

BTW: major kudos and a large cheesecake to the first person to name the first quote.

Ranting

2008-08-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'm being a bit controversial here, but let me ask this. When the high point of one's CV is something along the lines of "I've spent 5-6 years studying the scientific equivalent to basket weaving", can they really say things like 'salary requirements' and 'geographical preference'? The hubris of some people in this building sort of validates my hypothesis that grad school is partially about socialization into the academic world, and this sometimes makes me silently curse.

Ostensibly, one goes for graduate studies to advance their career. And if the career trajectory doesn't include academia, then I think there are certain things that every analytical chemist should know if they want a job. Like how to run an HPLC. Like how to not be a slave to one technique. Like how to think about solving a problem, not making the problem fit into your knowledge. I think that there are not enough analytical chemists who can solve problems, who can step into any lab and say "ok, i know how to basically use any piece of equipment. now lets get to work", who are taught HOW to think rather than WHAT to think.

It's been a rough day for me and encountering silly people. It's move-in weekend and the undergrads are descending on my campus. Kali is behaving erratically, maybe it's the electrical system. I don't know, but I have a feeling that I'll be spending a weekend to figure it out.

On a good note, I did register for the 2008 Detroit half. :D

All aboard!

2008-08-22T13:25:00.001-07:00

So I got a newsletter from my beloved only-major-airline-in-the-area-so-I'm-forced-to-use-their-frequent-miles-program airline (herein known as NWA) complete with my name in the headlines:"LJS you can save money using our Cash and Miles program"

I was enraptured. Two of my most favorite things 1) Travelling and 2) saving money; all rolled up into one sweet goodness of a deal!? I was panting with excitement, breathless with anticipation. Where would I go with my 36,000+ miles? Hawaii, Florida, Mexico?!?!

But then I read the promotion in more detail. Below is the most egregious example: Travel to Florida.

OK OK OK, you're reading that it's only $139 for roundtrip to Florida and thinking "that's not so bad, LJS is off her rocker" right? BUT! There are two issues, the first making me think that NWA is so very evel and the second making me think that people are seriously off their rocker to not research before spending money on travel.

So, in my very best McLaughlin voice...
Issue 1
If you were to buy miles from NWA, it would cost you about 3.8 cents for EACH mile. But the value of each mile is variable, depending on the normal cost of the trip.
So....0.038*10000=$380 at the high end. So that in addition to, at least, $139, and you're looking at a very expensive roundtrip ticket that would otherwise cost you...

Issue 2
...about $125-150 (taxes not included) from Detroit. A quick search on travelocity found this for me and potentially saved a bunch of money. Even better, most of the cheapie fares were through NWA's partner airlines, so you'd be earning miles not spending them.

All told, if you did the miles and cash "deal", your miles would only bring a value of 1.2 cents/mile which is a really poor number because it is the bare minimum value of a mile.

Bottom Line: Be smart about using your frequent flier miles. Know their value and use them wisely. I'll be saving my miles for Hawaii, where my miles would be worth anywhere between 2.5 and 4.0 cents/mile. :D

Ambition in 0.2 miles

2008-08-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

I've recently come to a sort of peace with the idea that I may never run a marathon. Some parts of me, namely the knee joints and leg tendons, are actually rejoicing at this revelation. But where the corporeal body is wise, the brain is silly. Ambition creeps in. And on days where my knees and hamstrings aren't screaming at me, I think that maybe 26.2 miles is do-able.

But yesterday I had a great run. It was one of those perfect days where the weather, my energy level and the music just came together in harmony. I'm looking forward to the Detroit (half) marathon not as a consolation for not being able to do the full 26.2 but rather as a fulfilling and worthwhile goal in and of itself. Is it maturity? Doubtful. Maybe it's happiness and appreciation that I'm healthy enough to run, have the support and time to run, and still really really enjoy running.

So, in celebration, I present to you: 13 songs for 13.1 miles. Mild favorites from my iTUNES

Mile 1: Something mellow for the warm up. "Ride" by Cary Brothers
Mile 2: Something to meditate on: "Clocks" by Coldplay
Mile 3: Something to get over the bridge: "Never Let me Down" by Depeche Mode
Mile 4: Something for a new country: "New Slang" by The Shins
Mile 5: Something for the big D: "The Big Three Killed My Baby" by the White Stripes
Mile 6: Something peppy for motivation: "Dashboard" by Modest Mouse
Mile 7: Something for the morning sun: "Hard Sun" by Eddie Vedder
Mile 8: Something for the tunnel: "Where I End and You Begin" by Radiohead
Mile 9: Something for the hardest mile and great views: "3x5" by John Mayer
Mile 10: Something for another hard mile: "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens
Mile 11: Something for the tired legs: "Black Math" by the White Stripes
Mile 12: Something for the mind: "Caught by the River" by Doves
Mile 13: Something for resolution: "How it ends" by DeVotchKa

Funny? Now that's hot

2008-08-06T07:22:00.001-07:00

Usually I'm not a fan of Paris Hilton, but this is a very funny response.

Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Adfunny videosFunnyOrDie.com

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

New Music Mania

2008-08-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

Oh the musical treasure trove that is the local library! So this week's theme is "soundtracks", and I picked up three.
1) Scrubs
2) The Last Kiss
3) Little Miss Sunshine

At first listen, all three are great. One song in particular is striking, especially because I have days when just "riding" is so appealing. Let me introduce you to:

"Ride" by Cary Brothers

You are everything I wanted
The scars of all I’ll ever know

If I told you you were right
Would you take my hand tonight?
If I told you the reasons why
Would you leave your life and ride?
And ride…

You saw all my pieces broken
This darkness that I could never show

If I told you you were right
Would you take my hand tonight?
If I told you the reasons why
Would you leave your life and ride?
And ride…

In other news, I dropped my bike, hit 75 mph and fixed the brakes (but not necessarily in that order) . Now that the bike brakes are fixed, maybe now that ride is possible. I can go anywhere with my love by my side.
And, I finished "Pride and Prejudice". {swoon} What a lovely read! On to my next "summer reading" book.

Say it aint so Jack, I love you

2008-07-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Did Jack White just jump the shark?? Noooooooooo!!!! (although the song will be kick-butt, I'm sure)

For him, it's been downhill after our painful separation. But, alas, our love was not meant to last. Here's us in happier times.

Take the good and the bad

2008-07-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

I just heard back about an abstract submission:
They said "nay"...which is a bummer because San Francisco...October. Would have been great.
But it's good because I was working on a student award application and they wanted a 2-page "all about me" blurb...and I was all writers block about it because I can't include any of my guerrilla work in Peru.

a meme about mmee

2008-07-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

1. Where is your cell phone? On my desk

2. Where is your significant other? 15 feet from me

3. Your Hair? blondish with red

4. Your Mother? A whirling dervish of spastic energy

5. Your Father? The Quiet Man

6. Your favorite thing? My family

7. Your dream last night? Strange

8. Your dream/goal? World domination, a good motorcycle and pancakes every morning

9. The room you're in? I'm at the office

10. Your Fear? Heights, not necessarily Wuthering ;)

11. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Not in graduate school

12. Where were you last night? In bed

13. What you're not sarcastic? Who, me?!

14. Muffins? blueberry

15. One of your wish list items? More time, less stuff

16. Where you grew up? ohio

17. Last thing you did? Ate a really nice lunch at an outdoor concert

18. What are you wearing? T-shirt and shorts

19. Your TV? Crying because it never gets used

20. Your pet(s)? Howie

21. Your computer? iLOVE my iMAC Book

22. Your Life? Complete, happy and fun

23. Your mood? Generally good

24. Missing Someone? Everyone

25. Your car/truck? Ford station wagon

26. Something you're not wearing? Uncomfortable shoes

27. Your summer? Very fun so far!

28. Love Someone? everyone

29 Your favorite color? green

30. When is the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Can't remember

32. Who will resend? Dunno, I want it to be a surprise!

Now we're zooming

2008-07-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

Got the license, insurance, registration for my very own bike. Last night was its inaugural ride and it was so much fun! I would post photos but it's hard to ride a bike and take pictures at the same time.

Despite the head gaskets leaking, crooked handlebars and the rear light being something of the cobbled-together variety, I've devoted my time of late to the most important motorcycle tasks. Naming it!

So far, I really like Kali. Like the magnificent Hindu goddess, my bike appears fierce but is really a kind and loving spirit. The artwork on the bike tank does not exactly indicate "Hindu deity", as I'll hopefully be able to show you soon. But I've seen into its spirit and I know that Kali is a good fit.

So, yesterday Kali and I went on the freeway for the first time. 55...even 70 feels so different when the wind is actually hitting you. It's great! But I'm planning on keeping my freeway sojourns limited until I feel more comfortable on the bike.

I searched for joy, but I bought it all

2008-07-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

I got a lovely invitation from a lovely friend for a girls' night spa.

With all the demands you face, it’s important you still carve out time for that special someone in your life called ‘you.’ A BeautiControl Spa Escape is the perfect way to celebrate a happier, healthier, more balanced you.

Unfortunately it appears that the way to a happier, healthier, more-balanced me is to purchase some liquids, powders and nice-smelling things. If I start ranting about the slick marketing of this crap, I'll never stop. Happiness not in a freaking bottle! (Unless that bottle contains Riesling or a nice Rioja house red.) If I did go, it'd be for the fun of hanging out with my girlfriends. Not because I'm on a self-actualization quest and really thought it'd be found in a spa treatment.
I agree that taking time for yourself is very very important: as a slacker, my slackerhood is of utmost priority and I encourage everyone to take time for one's self. But it makes me curious if people really believe that if we do this 'day spa' thingy and buy all the goodies in pretty bottles, then we'll be happy?

Getting all fan girl

2008-07-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

I'm totally digging on John Mayer right now. Meow.

Just thought everyone should know that. I may need intervention. Especially if I start putting up "Tiger Beat" posters of him.

hahaha

:) LJS

The night he lost his faith?

2008-07-07T13:23:00.001-07:00

I just read an amazing story by an MD. It's very touching, you may want to have some tissues handy.

But let me bring you to his last point:

"There is kindness in this world. There is compassion and decency. In a universe of death and suffering, there are things that make existence worth our while. In the heart of each person there is a penchant to make one's environment a better place. There does not need to be a God if we choose to exercise our proclivity for decency.

If God is nothing more than an intangible concept that motivates our hearts—a synonym for "love" and "kindness"—He is more powerful than I ever imagined as a believer."

See, I'd think that he had just found his faith. What do you think?

Two papers, two more betas

2008-06-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wish I'd see more researchers not be so overly optimistic about their data. It's OK to doubt your own data,I think, and communicate that to the public.
Besides, it's way more fun to write the beta version of a conclusions section than what the public will actually see. But, remember, I'm very critical of my data and also very pessimistic.

Paper #1 conclusions

I think my results are on the deep side of depressing, but my advisor likes them. So maybe I’ll hold off on ritualistic hara-kiri.

Paper #2 conclusions

These results are not quite as cringe-inducing as my other data. But, I still reserve the right to take a Tracy-Lynn style spoon to my vital organs as I see fit.

Nom nom

2008-06-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hyperion likes beef jerky (why I'll never know, the stuff's horrible) but I'm a Sweet Tart gal. The Squeez stuff is the best (and fastest delivery of rocket-fuel proportions of good old fashioned sugar)

Finally! Nerd girls get their own boy band!

2008-06-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

By far, the best video of the year. It's called epMotion. It's easy as 1-2-3.

Pirates swoon over LOL Punditry

2008-06-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Combine LOLcat humor and snark...and one gets Pundit Kitchen. A whole bunch of awesomeness and tofu jerky.
:) LJS

Holidays everyday! For everyone!

2008-06-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Come on over to International ____ Day, and find a new and unusual way to celebrate each and every day!
And, especially enjoy my masterpiece: June 29th! (no, I'm not going to tell you what it is, go on over and find out!)

Hyperion's Opus

2008-06-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Hyperion Institute is a place I visit every day, and he never disappoints. I adore his Edgar Allan Poe trilogy, and can't wait for a re-publish on that. {hint hint Hypey}

Today is really special at the Institute. He is re-publishing one of his finest pieces: The Wall.

Please take a moment to stop by and read it. If you were touched by it, please forward the link to someone else.

Thanks! :) LJS

Obama/Gore?

2008-06-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

It's about time!

Al Gore endorses Senator Obama.

Where are my darn ruby slippers?

2008-06-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

I'm really homesick, I just want to go home and ride my bicycle and speak english and run without worried about becoming roadkill and hug my cat and work in a lab with all the people I like and miss.

Last night on my run, I noticed lots of feral kids. You know what I mean by feral kids? Kids who wear new "vintage" Misfit t-shirts, who hang out at 10 pm on a street sidewalk in their $90 shoes and expensive bicycles, who may try to smoke because it looks cool, who probably are a lot nicer than we think they are-if given half a chance. Looking like a bunch of trouble, but generally quite harmless. I hung out with the feral kids in middle school because we were all in orchestra and nobody else would talk with nerdy me. They were my rock, my courage, my place to go for fun or someone to talk to.

So, when you see feral kids....I would advice a friendly smile, and a private snicker about their cluelessness about the Misfits.

Kitteh makes political statements

2008-06-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Just so that everyone knows: the Obamas are not the only ones to fist bump.

My summertime gig

2008-06-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

By the way, I'm in a band and will be rocking out this summer. Come check out me and the adventures at the Monkey Barn.

Yes, awesome t-shirts will be available!

No, we will not be playing synthesizer.

:) LJS

Wee Kitteh!

2008-06-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

Introducing MOLO! A wee lil kitteh that Oliver and Lorraine found and welcomed into their home.
Francis and I are enamoured with him, he's really adorable!

PS: Look at those choppers!

:) LJS

Fun updates

2008-06-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

So it's been a very busy week on the pirate boat of life, with many ups and a few downs. So to begin!
1. I am now a certified (and licensed) biker chick. Now I need to figure out which bike I'll use to cruise up and down the galleys. I'm eyeing Blue Thunder-my husband's bike. I had my first solo ride last night-and for me, exhilarating and nerve wracking. Afterall, how many of us were very confident when we first took a car out? I really enjoy riding so I want to practice as much as possible on back roads. My husband, when he watched me leave, felt really happy that now I'm also riding but sad because now he'll have to share the bike. LOL.
2. I'm now converted to the Mac side of the force. But, I'm operating Windows mostly. I really like having a computer that doesn't feel like lead bricks. Because I'm still a student, I got a free iTouch. Wheeee!
3. The Husband defends his thesis in less than one week!

But...
3. My old computer crashed, necessitating purchase of the aforementioned Mac.
4. The brakes on the Silver Bullet were shot and required a complete overhaul.

So, my soul is happy but the wallet is hurting.
:)

Oh I'm sorry, you're not satisfied? TFB

2008-05-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

An interesting article in Slate where the idea of over-prescribing antibiotics is discussed from an ER doctor's perspective. What I though the most screwed up was that the doctor was considering patient satisfaction as a criterion for prescribing an antibiotic.
Satisfaction. Hmmmm. Interesting.

Think about this. Doctors worry if their patient is satisfied with their experience. And they (in part) base their prescribing behavior on their perceptions of patient expectation and making the patient happy. Am I the only one who thinks this is messed up?

How about doctors worry about healing patients first? I don't recall the Hippocratic oath mentioning satisfying patients. Aren't doctors supposed to know what is best for patients afterall? Personally, if you were my patient and you got pissed after I told you that no medicine was necessary...I'd kick your scrawy, whiny butt out of my office...and charge you double for the visit.

Thank goodness I'm not an MD eh?

Into the wild

2008-05-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I saw a guy in my yoga class with a “Torres del Paine” t-shirt, and it got my traveler instincts going. The Paine Circuit is one of my ‘dream’ places to trek; a place I’ve promised to myself if I should ever graduate. (Not that I dislike school, I really enjoy it, but I’ve been at this a while and it’d be nice to realize that, after 28 years’ school, I’d be done with a capital D)

And I got thinking (again). What drives us to travel? What drives someone like Chris McCandless to just…go? What keeps me from not just…going? Going out the door, past school, out of the state…with no rhyme, reason, ideology or agenda. Finding what you find. I’ve thought about this often, and I’m tired of being an armchair traveler. Reading about beautiful places, instead of seeing the beauty within arms reach. Why does intrepid necessarily follow travel? Why does a ‘fourteener’ inspire more awe than a wild local orchid? Is the concept of appreciating beauty learned or is it innate?

Who knows? I surely don’t. But I’m not content to watch the nature channel to find out. My summer plans are ambitious, the travel extensive. I don’t know if there’ll be anyone around to keep up. But, if you’re interested in walking up Mt. Washington, biking Mackinac island and walking part of the AT…then I’m you gal.

Another book chapter, another beta

2008-05-11T14:23:00.001-07:00

{sigh} I have such a tough time with opening sentences. But, isn't this one a doozy? :) LJS

"Raman spectroscopy of inorganic materials is a growing field, with a long and sordid history comparing only to the multi-year reign of daytime television's “Young and the Restless” in terms of drama and name-calling."

(Of course, it's not true. But, it does make my topic sound more interesting. And! it's my beta version.)

Get smooved and more!

2008-04-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Some fun links I found this week are as follows and I quote

1. Get rid of all those prepaid junk mail envelopes creatively!

2. Get your dose of newly arrived Smoove B. Damn.

3. A new scientific (and snarky) look at stuff white people like.

4. Which reminds me how much I love San Francisco.

:) LJS

Guess who's coming to dinner?

2008-03-25T14:46:00.001-07:00

"Please be advised that we will be able to issue your visa."

The best thing I've heard in two and half months.

yayayayyayayaa!!!!1!!!!!11!!!!1

OK, so there goes the Cleveland

2008-03-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

In my best Stewie voice, I've been cursing my left knee. Daaaaaammmm you kneee! What's wrong? It's freaking sore as heck. Here, let me bore you with my symptoms.

My posterior medial knee are is sore and is sore to the touch. My front shin, closer to my patella, rather than my ankle is also sore. It hurts the back of my left knee to sit in virasana. (btw, awesome legwarmers eh?) And I can't stretch the leg out without it feeling tight and sore. I stopped running because it hurts too much during and after the run. (I can just feel the pounds creep on) I stopped training for Cleveland and I doubt I'll be well enough for the Martian half. Daaaaaaaammm.
I've been doing R.I.C.E. for treatment, and have myriad doctor's appointments. Hopefully I can salvage my knee in time for the Dexter-Ann Arbor. Until then...active rest will commence. Walking home, looking like a fool on the elliptical, and getting my bicycle ready for riding. These should keep me, at least, somewhat in shape until this thing gets better.
BWAH!
But, hey, Detroit is *only* 7 months away. And, I hate training in the summer but I want to run a marathon this year. I'll have plenty of time to train for Detroit. This time, I'll be more diligent about maintaining a weekly base mileage of 15-20 miles/week. I think I did too much, too fast-on a stupid track, nonetheless.

Not everyone can win, but everyone can be consistent.

Houston, we are a go for 26.2?

2008-03-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

I've been a marathon training! With the usual quirks and quarks of my age-d legs. I've been fighting off/waiting off a tight ligament behind my left knee. I reduced my miles and have been diligent with stretching and taking it easy. I'm a week behind on my training.
Last week's long run of 10 miles was good, my knee didn't bother me until nearly the end. This week I'm scheduled for 16. I keep on telling myself "ok, if this week's long run goes well, then I'll register for the Cleveland marathon". My 15 mile run was miserable, but Montreal's shitty sidewalks may have had something to do with that. This week will mark my return to "insanely long long runs" and I'll probably run over 3 hours.
Maybe now I'll be serious about it. If this week's long run goes well....

So this is my ambitious spring schedule of races.

April 6-Martian Invasion of Races (half)
May 18-Cleveland Marathon (full!?!)
June 1-Dexter-Ann Arbor (half)

Wish me luck! (and happy knees!)

Goodbye, Suburbia

2008-03-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

I used to live in suburbia. Pleasant, yet. Monochromatic? Mostly, unfortunately, yes. Boring as all get out? OMG, yes. It didn't help that the 'burb was isolated and getting to a half-way decent store meant a 15-20 minute car drive. What WAS very nice, though, were my long runs because the country roads were long and winding and isolated. Me and my roads.
Anyway, now I've grown up (sort of) and moved closer to the city. Closer to downtown, shops, work etc. My poor car is relegated to "recreational vehicle" status.
It is interesting, too, to see that lately a financial impetus has arisen for people to get out of their single-family bubbles. An idea to share a home with people(s) actually makes financial sense, especially for these really large McMansions where...really...do you, your spouse, 1.5 kids and 3 cats really need 5000 square feet??
Think about it.

The key word today is: sarcasm

2008-03-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Item #1: No, really, it is not a political statement when Michigan "What's a CAFE standard?" Democrats, full of moral and honest and intelligent folks, attracts a Wyoming "Cow, it's what for breakfast, lunch and dinner!" Democrat for its big yearly fundraiser.

Item #2: What do you do when your stock has lost over 20% valuation in less than 6 months? Write an awesome new theme song!

Item #3: I love me some snow. Snow snow snow!

Item #4: In a time of failing economies, poor health care, two wars and a still unsecure border, I am comforted to know that America's fascination with politicians' sex lives is negligible.

Scrumptious

2008-02-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

I just can't adore Nigella Lawson enough. She talked to NPR about chocolate today. Enjoy!

Love thy crittars!

2008-01-29T15:57:00.001-08:00

Reading this story made me really sad, and angry. Why do people abandon their pets when their homes are foreclosed? There's no excuse to treat a pet like that.
I'm going home to hug my critter.

It's all about Kerry

2008-01-10T10:12:00.001-08:00

Sometimes an endorsement is not an endorsement.

Why do pundits call Hillary Clinton "Mrs. Clinton" instead of "Senator Clinton" (which they do for Obama, Dodd, Gravel, Biden...heck, even Edwards)? It is subtle, but it does make a difference.