Il Neige!

It is April freakin' 18th and it is snowing! What the hell?! This is not OK. I would like to lodge a complaint. No run for me tonight. I refuse to run in this shit.

The Long Run

I completed my longest consecutive run on Tuesday night. I did 11.2 miles on the Burke Gilman. My pace was positively sloth-like but I am perfectly fine with that since I am so pleased with the distance. The half-marathon shouldn't be any problem now.
The long run never ceases to amaze me. I usually think "wow, this is going to be far and I will have trouble finishing" but once you get going it just all clicks. I dread going out there but I always end up loving it. The first three miles are a little tough for some reason but then it all becomes easy and the rhythm kicks in and you just start reeling in the miles. I almost get giddy in the middle of the run.
I had never been on that section of the Burke Gilman before (Matthew's Beach south to the UW Hospital and back) so it was nice to see some new scenery. Also nice to be in a little more populated area since I knew I was going to be pushing sunset by the time the run was completed.
Chuckles along the way: passing the dorms at the UW, which were a long way up the hill, I smelled the distinctive stench of patchouli wafting down on me (such a college cliche) and a groan inducing sign for a dentist's office "Fiddler on the Tooth"; the office of the Dr. Fiddler. I really wish I was kidding about that last one.

Happy Hoogen Day!

Four years ago today I walked into the Humane Society for Seattle/King County looking for a new kitty to add to my home. While in one of the back rooms full of cages, looking at eye level cats, I heard a meow like a question. It actually went up at the end and was possibly the cutest meow ever. I looked down and there was this little black and white paw sticking out through the bars trying to touch my leg. I filled out paperwork, interviewed and spent time in the tiny get to know you room with her. This was my kitty.

I am incredibly lucky to have this darling, affectionate, playful, gregarious, wee little bundle of black and white fur. She is always ready to play but never keeps you up at night or wakes you up in the morning. She has become a cuddler and charms everyone who walks in the door. She makes me smile to just look at her. Even Oliver seems to kind of tolerate her. Here's to many more years of Jackie and her perpetual kittenhood!

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today

My how things have changed. Then:

• junior in high school
• hair color : various shades of red
• about 115 pounds
• career aspirations to be the editor of "Rolling Stone"
• thought hippies were cool

Now:

• junior in college
• hair color : various shades of blonde
• let's just say "significantly more than" 115 pounds
• career aspirations to be an accountant and only occasionally read "Rolling Stone"
• thinks hippies should shower
  

Eating Our Way Around The Bay

I had a fabulous time in San Francisco. It was 20 years ago to the month that I visited there. It was for a high school journalism competition/conference and I remember loving the city then. Our four days this time were a whirlwind. We got into town and went to Berkely to tour the Scharffen Berger chocolate factory and eat an amazing lunch and did a little tourist walking around downtown. Since I was operating on about seven hours of sleep for the last two days this was more than enough for me that day. Friday was a trip to Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate Park for a ride on an antique carousel and a walk through the flower conservatory, lunch at Magnolia's, shopping for unusual artisan chocolates (I bought three that involved bacon!), one of the most amazing dinners of my life at Frescati and a fabulous performance by three visiting ballet companies at the Opera House. Saturday was cable cars, Fisherman's Wharf, the aquarium where we got to touch a leopard shark, tour of the three ships at the Maritime National Historic Park and another amazing meal at a little hole in the wall in Chinatown called Chef Jia's. Sunday Kevin had a class and I needed to study so I holed up in the hotel room reading about equity securities until the afternoon. Then we took a tour of Alcatraz and had yet another fabulous meal at some gourmet Mexican place whose name eludes me now. I came back never wanting to eat again.

The city is much as I remember it but I have definitely changed since 1988. Good thing. Who wants to be like they were at sixteen? I have a significantly lower tolerance for large crowds, the homeless, the crazy, and the grime of the city then I did back in the day. I was happy to get back home to my relatively small little city where there is a little more breathing room. San Fran is a great place to visit, can't wait to go back but there is truly no place like home.

Time Begins On Opening Day

What a glorious thing it is to be driving home from school with the sun shining and the sounds of baseball on the radio. All is right with the world.