The Verbosery

Crankypants Commute

2012-02-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

Really? Really?!?

Why is it that every fucking other ramp closure ever ends early enough to not affect the morning commute, but the closure of the ramp I use every fucking morning of my fucking life has to extend well past the time I need it every day?

Until June fucking 30th?

The fuck is up with that?

Friday Favorites

2012-01-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

There are a few blogs that do the Friday Favorites thing. In an effort to focus on more on the awesome and less on the Not Awesome (ala Arwen's Seek Joy movement), I thought I would do a Friday Favorites post.

1. I downloaded the Pandora app and used it to make a channel based on Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit. It was just as awesome as it sounds.

2. Taking SweetPea's grandfather out for his 83rd birthday.

3. Taking an obscenely early lunch break to catch a yoga class taught by a fire dancer. I've done it before, and I may have to make it a regular thing. It was definitely fun.

4. The rowing machine at the gym. I have no idea why, but I really enjoy doing this and it feels super easy. Maybe I need to join a rowing team. Or not.

5. Spending some time reflecting on the things I learned last weekend. I'm still not entirely sure what to do with it or how to get where I want to go, but I've got another weekend of learning ahead of me.

6. Finally getting some good storms through the valley.

7. Moving into a place where I am actively reconnecting with joy.

8. Planning!

9. Scheduling an extra day into my weekend just so I can get a lie in day!

What's on your joy list this week?

Twenty Seconds of Courage

2012-01-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

One of the hardest things for me to do is to keep my mind from wandering. I'm not good at it, and it really doesn't matter the situation. I even have a tendency to "skim" conversations because my mind will wander and I'll tune out.

I spent last weekend listening.

And every time my brain would grab a hunk of "meat" and try to run off, I'd have to drag it back because I was missing stuff.

There was a lot of great information. More than that, though. It was enlightening and challenging. It was an honor to be able to be part of it and I've still got one weekend to go.

The thing is, while everything we covered made perfect sense to me, while I see this path so clearly and I know the beast that lives in my brain will not give up until I get to its destination, I am so afraid of crossing the threshold from understanding to action.

I have built up so many barriers to protect myself from things I didn't want to deal with and following this path requires tearing them down.

I have to allow myself to feel.

I have to allow myself to be open and receptive and to sit with emotions even when it sucks.

I have to learn how to be open and raw.

I have to learn how to be ok with that and not try to hide it all the time.

I have to learn how to accept that sometimes I'm going to pick up other people's bullshit and that it's ok to sit with that, too, but then I have to let it go because it's not mine.

I have to do this because I believe this is the me I was always meant to be.

I have to learn how to live outside of my comfort zone.

One of the concepts that was discussed was that all it takes to begin amazing things is 20 seconds of courage. I think I may need to learn to live in that moment.

My Lunch Date

News, Views and Lose(AThon)

2012-01-20T17:30:00.000-08:00

Much like blogging, I've had a hard time getting back on the fitness and healthy eating track.

I started getting back on track with workouts, but then my shins started hurting again on runs. Randomly. Some runs were still great and sometimes it was so bad it felt like I had wooden legs from the knees down. Then I got sick, and while I did still work out, I was significantly limited by my lack of oxygen intake ability.

I'm trying to drag my lazy ass back out of the lazy hole. I've had some success. And some not so much.

And then some guys I know on twitter started this LoseAThon Challenge, so I signed up. Maybe I'll fail miserably, but whatever. I'm hoping, at least, it provides some motivation to get my ass back on track.

I'm tired of fighting with the scale. I'm tired of giving back progress because it really pisses me off.

So there it is. LoseAThon. We'll see.

In totally unrelated news, tomorrow I start on a journey that will change my life.

That might be a little melodramatic.

Maybe it's not.

I haven't talked about this a lot and I'm not going to. For several reasons. Not the least of which is that I'm of the superstitious sort. Or maybe it's just because I don't want to hear anyone ask me what the hell I think I'm doing. Or who I'm trying to kid.

Because I just don't fucking know.

What I do know is that I've been thinking about this for awhile. An opportunity arose that actually could be made to fit within what I have to give and I landed on that shit.

The fact that I could swing it and the fact that it terrifies me really make me feel like I'm headed in the right direction.

I guess we'll have to see.

Until then, enjoy this little dog. I'd love to do something like this with Bixby. Except that I don't ride and he don't mind.

Yoga Radio

2012-01-19T05:30:00.000-08:00

Apparently there's some sort of "controversy" over this video and its "sexualization" of yoga. Because she's in her underwear? I don't really get it. All I see when I watch this is power, grace and fluidity. Some day I hope my yoga practice looks this stunning.

Wordless Wednesday - Future Desk Jockey Edition

2012-01-18T05:30:00.000-08:00

Sugar Skull Art

2012-01-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

Does it make me completely a dumb ass that I didn't know sugar skulls were actually made from sugar? Yes? Moving on.

Given my total ignorance, I'm sure you can understand how the sidewalk display for Sugar Skull Art stopped The Cohort & I in our tracks this past Second Saturday.

Not only were the pieces simply amazing, but we got to talk to the artist, who was passionate about his work, where it's been and where it's going.

I hope at some point to be able to add one of his pieces to my collection and I would definitely suggest checking his work out if you get a chance.

Internets Radio - Kind Of

2012-01-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

I love love love this! And, yes, I very very much want to go to Burningman.

One day.

PS: 5:45!

Internets Radio

2012-01-12T05:30:00.001-08:00

I really do love these goofy guys.

Wordless Wednesday - Climate Change Edition

2012-01-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

January 10, 2012

Internets Radio

2012-01-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

I'm actually embarassed to admit that I like this song. But I really do dig the sound and I think she has a pretty mature voice for a pup. But maybe that's the autotuning?

Internets Radio

2012-01-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

Well you know I like those girls with the smoky voices.

Internets Radio

2012-01-09T05:30:00.000-08:00

I'm guessing it's by the power of association that this, to me, is a late springtime song. It makes me think of that snip of evening when coolness steals in after a warm day and you're driving with the windows down & your hair up and the whole world smells blue.

Internets Radio

2012-01-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how I should feel about the frequency this song is playing in my head. Most excellent wordsmithing.

Genderqueer - Beyond Boy Clothes

2012-01-07T05:30:00.001-08:00

Considered one of the "10 Hottest Butches of 2011" by SheWired, here's Jenny Shimzu. You may notice that she's wearing a tutu over her tuxedo.

Because, yes, Virginia, it is still genderqueer when it involves a skirt.

Internets Radio

2012-01-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

This song came on the radio as I was driving in this morning. It's been so long since I've heard it. I have the album, but I stopped listening, in part because of this song. I love it, but it digs into the dark places of my soul.

Like a redemption.

And a condemnation.

I have big love for the Evanescence sound. Amy Lee's voice, whether soft & delicate or full throttle belting, backed by that big, driving sound makes me ridiculously happy. It's like heartbreak, pain, power, loss, reclamation set to music.

It was exactly what I needed to hear this morning.

PS: For various reasons, including a necessitated introspection into my musical tastes, prepare yourselves for a litany of Internets Radio posts. You're welcome. I'm sorry.

Track 7 Brewing Company

2012-01-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Eve, SweetPea and I headed down to Curtis Park to visit Track 7 Brewing Company on their opening day.

They had a pretty good turnout for the grand opening. After spending some time in line, I was able to get their Alkali Wit in a signature pint glass.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for a witbier.

The Alkali Wit did not disappoint and I can't wait to get back & sample some of their other selections.

I think what I like best about Track 7 Brewing Co. - or, more specifically, supporting Track 7 Brewing Co. - is that these guys all have day jobs. This is what they do because they love it, are passionate about it, and maybe have a vision where they can follow their dreams instead of working for The Man.

Or maybe I'm projecting.

Regardless, I believe we all know our share of people attempting to walk that line between following their passion and keeping food on the table.

So to Track 7 Brewing Co. and all the intrepid risk takers and leap-of-faithers in the world, Salud! and best of luck to you.

The "safe" desk jockeys of the world (ok, me) are pulling for you.

Wordless Wednesday - Version Tippity Tip

2012-01-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

Taken at Rick's Dessert Diner

California State Parks - A Christmas Gift

2011-12-28T05:30:00.000-08:00

My second favorite Christmas gift. I think I may need to institute a new feature on the blog, exploring the California State Parks where I can use this pass.

My plan is to use the pass mostly for trail running in local parks. Once the weather warms back up, I hope to use it for BBQ's and trips to the river and maybe even for - gasp! - rafting trips!

I'm pretty excited.

Which parks do you think I should check out?

Moo Poo Kitty!

2011-12-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

You can always tell it's winter at our house because at least one cat has taken up residence in our bed. This year, it's Moo Poo Kitty, who has an uncanny knack for knowing when it's bedtime.

Bixby Goes to Wendy's

2011-12-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

Bixby is a lot more hopeful (and pushy) because he's been to this drive through before (*ahem*SweetPea*ahem*).

SweetPea got him nuggets, but Mom's is infinitely more interesting.

Finally!

The good shit!

And then we had to have a freak out barking at another dog. In another vehicle. Um. 'Kay.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

From our insane asylum...

to yours!

Holiday!

2011-12-19T05:30:00.000-08:00

I won't be seeing this view for two weeks. I'm pretty sure I'm excited about that.

Race Planning

2011-12-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

As you all know, I am an obsessive overplanner.

For a couple of months now I have been perusing potential races to add to my 2012 calendar. In fact, at one point, I threw everything that looked interesting on the calendar so I could have a visual of where everything fits with everything else.

When I finally got down to selecting the races I was most interested in doing in 2012, I came upon something interesting. The race calendar I'm building contains races on consecutive weekends as well as at least one weekend with a race each day.

And I'm not that worried about it.

A few weeks ago, I came across this article about the mechanics of running & started utilizing the "100 Ups". While I'm not going to say it had the miraculous affects it maybe had on some of the other runners in the article, what it did do for me was give my legs a muscle memory of what proper form should feel like.

My very next run was nothing short of fucking amazing.

All the pain and struggle I'd been having was gone. Just like that. I did the three mile 'hood loop without stopping or walking. I even did it faster than I've ever run three miles*. Then I did the loop again. Without stopping. In the same amount of time.

Any time since then that a run has gone less than awesome (regular worn out aches aside), I've discovered it's because my hips and glutes aren't doing their fair share. Once I get them back into action, I'm fine.

Maybe this sounds stupid or weird, but runs had become for me a serious battle of stubborn. I will complete this run. It wasn't fun anymore. It was painful and made me question myself time and time again. Because of this, the only reason I completed the Four Bridges Half Marathon was my stubborn refusal to ride back on an Arctic Cat.

The fact that, suddenly, running doesn't hurt more than it reasonably should? The fact that it's become a joy again? That is amazing and I am really, really grateful.

I feel like, as long as I maintain my form and do all of the ridiculous, painful training (hi hill repeats!) I'm supposed to be doing, I should have no problem building a strong enough base to make running three half marathons in one month a perfectly reasonable thing to do.

What?

To supplement "normal" road races, I really want to get in at least one really good, challenging mud/obstacle run. Now y'all know I'm indecisive as shit, so maybe you can help me out by letting me know which one you think I should do.

Here are your choices:

Tough Mudder September 8th & 9th, 2012

Merrell Down & Dirty Mud Run October 28, 2012

Survivor Mud Run April 21st, 2012

Weekend Warrior Games April 29th, 2012 - Oh, wait. That's right. I've already registered for this one. And, yes. It is, in fact, the day after a half marathon I'd like to run. Crazy?

Maybe.

so what do you think? Which one should I run? Am I completely insane, or just a runner?

*As far as recorded times go.

Internets Radio

2011-12-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

Shamelessley theived from Drunk Cyclist because y'all know how much I love wheelchair athletes. These guys are straight ballers.