March 1, 2012 • 2 Comments
I dislike training. It makes me wonder how I ever enjoyed running to begin with. But, I refuse to believe I was insane for 6 years, so I shall forge onward.
Over the past several months I have had a myriad of excuses which have gotten me to this point. The first was legitimate; severe joint pain lasting from July 2011 to October 2011. Then an irrational fear that if I began exercising, I would induce a flare up and have to admit once-and-for-all that I had arthritis. A month later, I finally accepted the fact that I was in the clear and began to run. This resolve lasted for nearly a week, then came December and the rationale that I would “never” be able to keep up my stamina between traveling to New York and the busyness of the holidays.
Come January I was so out of shape, I didn’t even want to begin. However, discussion began amongst my relay team to register for the Deadwood Relay Marathon for the 3rd year in a row, so after signing up, I resolved it was time to begin. And yet I didn’t.
For those who don’t know, I use the Couch to 5k plan, which takes approximately 12 weeks. Thus, come February, I was running out of time. However, it turns out I am so out of shape my ankles couldn’t handle the strain of running, so I’ve spent the last couple of weeks walking, lifting (a little) and doing Pilate’s.
Today was my first official training day. It went OK, but it definitely wasn’t pleasurable. I am still in the infancy stages of the program, so I won’t be using my Nike+ for a couple of weeks. But soon, yes soon, my little widget shall be happy again. It’s been a long time girlfriend.
December 25, 2011 • No Comments
A few months ago, Mike and I were having a discussion regarding family heirlooms and how they have begun to slip away from our generation.
This discussion sparked from the recent passing of our grandparents. For him, a grandfather and for me, my last grandparent; grandma Rosie. Not a happy beginning to a Christmas post, I know, but I’m setting the scene…
This year my mom spent the holiday in town and came over Christmas day. She brought along with her a nativity full of gifts for our exchange. Since the nativity was unwrapped, I had an inkling of what was in store for me. However, I did not realize it would be so sentimental in nature.
She wrapped each piece individually, and as I opened them, she told me the story of how my grandfather bought a single piece each year. Each is hand crafted and truly beautiful. I’m not sure how many pieces are available in the collection, I know there are more than I have, but at some point my grandparents must have elected that ‘their’ set was complete.
Inside the nativity my mom tucked away a few pictures of my grandparents and one of the nativity scene, set out in their home. I can’t explain how precious it is. All I know, is I will do my due diligence to keep it safe so that I may one day pass it along to my hypothetical children.
December 24, 2011 • No Comments
While you may have read about the Christmas prank on Mikes blog, here are the events from my perspective.
Facts:
- I love (love, love, love, love, love) Christmas.
- I hate missing family events.
Timeline:
- I woke up at 4am to travel to the airport so I could depart at 7am (and be home at noon).
- I spent 9 hours at the NJ airport before I got to board my first plane.
- After determining that I would not make it home in time for the an annual gift exchange, I instructed my darling sister-in-law to send me text messages of the festivities, so I wouldn’t feel so far removed.
- After an endless series of layovers, I finally reached my destination (it is now 9pm).
- Upon landing I receive the following string of text messages.
Conclusions:
- All hope of salvaging this day is gone.
- Christmas officially sucks.
Timeline upon arrival in Sioux Falls:
- The airport tried to steal my luggage.
- Mike arrives at the airport to collect me and bring me to what’s left of the family gathering.
- He furthers my disappointment by siding with the in-laws stating they were bored and questioning what else would I have expected them to do?
- I declare I am no longer in the holiday spirit.
- Upon arrival to the family gathering I am informed this was all a hoax and they did not, in-fact, open my presents on my behalf.
Final conclusion:
- My family is comprised of a bunch of bungholes.
Merry Christmas.
December 23, 2011 • No Comments
Several years ago, Annie and I took a cruise to the Bahama’s, on which we met 3 brothers from New Jersey. 12 years later, we’re all grown up and reconnecting over Facebook. Fast forward 4 years and the eldest brother is getting married. Enter trip to New Jersey/New York.
Apart from the wedding, catching up with friends whom now live in the city, shopping and dining, we also saw:
- The Radio City Rockettes
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- New Jersey Devil’s Game
- 30 Rock: Top of the Rock
- A great alternative to the Empire State Building. It’s less crowded and you can reserve viewing times, which makes scheduling other activities easier.
- Discovery Channel Museum: Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit
- Amazing exhibit for history buffs. I wouldn’t consider myself this, but I still found it to be awe inspiring.
- Broadway: Phantom of the Opera
- I wish I could take a trip to the city on an annual basis just to see a new play each time. Absolutely outstanding production.
- 9/11 Memorial
- Quite an impressive memoriam. It will be an amazing place once the museum is complete (projected for fall of 2012). The memorial they had set up in the gift shop moved me to tears. I can’t imagine the impact of an entire building.
- Central Park
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Apparently this is a donation organization, so it would be an excellent stop if you’re traveling on a budget. Note: it is massive. We only made it through about a ¼th of the wings; that was about 5 hours. Tired feet.
Just a few pictures from our week (click to enlarge).
