Did You Ever Notice ... ?

Andy Rooney passed away this week. He's been on "60 Minutes" longer than I've understood the significance of nightly news. Well, perhaps it's more accurate to say longer than I've come to believe the american news is nothing more than fear mongering and gross speculation - without actually saying so, of course. But I digress.. I've always liked the way Mr. Rooney poked fun at our culture starting with "Did you ever notice ... ?" Granted, I didn't always agree with his perspective, but I appreciated the way he stood separate from common public perception, choosing instead to let the bandwagon roll by in all its glory and call out the ridiculousness of it all. I could always relate to that feeling of wanting to be in a news commentator's face and say "Really?!? Seriously?!? And you're not at all embarrassed by what you're saying?" I still feel that way watching any of the morning news, the nightly local and national news shows on television, or the abundance of tainted news articles all over the internet. American news is nothing more than glorified soap operas being played out to meet individual agendas... Sure, there are some facts peppered in there to "validate" the smarminess (can I patent that word?) being spewed, but by the end it's gross distortion and Orwell's "1984" in real life.

"Political language - and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists - is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." - George Orwell

Today's "news" is not objective conveyance of fact, but mainly all "Political Language." There exists, in my mind, a clear connection between Orwell and Rooney publications that is critically necessary to keep independent thought from completely dissolving into Newspeak. Who will take up this pen next, I wonder?

What a Difference a Day Makes

....And it's freakin' ridiculous what can change in a year!! A few weeks ago I finished the Pennsylvania Ragnar Relay Race with my better half and 10 friends.

Our team was named "Couch Potatoes Gone Wild", affectionately known as "the Potatards". Read about it - 200 miles, 36 hrs - it's insane. I ran further than I'd run yet: 15.5 miles within 30 hours. The first 3 runs felt good. The first two were back-to-back legs that were fueled by adrenaline and fear. The 3rd leg was down from a fire tower in the middle of the night. Okay, THAT was pretty awesome. The darkness was like going-outside-after-a-heavy-snow-quiet. My headlamp illuminated my immediate world, and I hoped no deer (or bear) would wonder into my path. It was an excellent run. My last leg, however, S U C K E D. And by that, I mean it really sucked. Others had run worse, but still, it sucked. My team hung with me, feeding the ego within that didn't want to die in front of them, and I lived.

We were led by Captain Potatard (above) - he was an awesome leader. I think we'll be doing it again. It was a huge challenge, but for me it was the culmination of "I think I can." Now, I know I can. Cool stuff. So now I run.

I Want Out

On Jan 21, 2011, I missed the last step coming down a set of stairs and hurt myself. You probably all know what I was doing - I had the crackberry out and I was preparing to dial into a conference call. Imagine that. Yea, I know. The odds were just there.

Luckily, I have an awesome coworker who blew off the rest of her work day to ensure I got the attention I needed. She drove me to doctors who basically said, "Yes, I believe you broke your foot and sprained your ankle," and gave me xrays in case I needed more convincing. I didn't. I knew. And when she took me to the orthopedist 4 days later, we both knew before we walked in that it was going to be the same answer. But at least it was confirmed. I was given 6 weeks of "Das Boot."

I find I dream about running now. I honestly miss it. I was starting to really get into the whole running scene. Now I just read about it online and think about what it's going to be like getting back to where I was with it while I sit here eating pizza and watching the idiot box. I have mixed emotions. But I believe I've caught up on most of the NCIS episodes I've missed over the years!

I'm not going to waste time complaining about this. After all, I did it to myself. I am certainly looking forward to being around people again. I feel like I've been cooped up so long that even the poodles are over it and wish either I get the hell out or they could go to day care more. I'm slowly venturing out to do things because it's a big pain trying to do everything I need to do just to "be". For me AND for others. But the little excursions really do help, even if just for a few hours. I'm aiming for the balance between fighting off crippling boredom (yes, that's dramatic - I am feeling a bit dramatic about it) and yet not doing so much I hamper the healing process. Not that I really know what that means - I can't believe how LITTLE information was given to me by trained professionals. I guess I'll know when I've gone too far when I feel it.

Nope. Cabin Fever doesn't agree with me. I want out!!

The DeToothing of Willie

When I first brought Willie into the family, he was about 5 yrs old, approximately 7 lbs, totally neurotic, and because of some unknown abuse was found with broken teeth that had to be surgically removed. That was almost 7 years ago. Since then, his demolition of hard foods and chew bones has never once been limited, and he has played up his charming little lisp to win the hearts of all he meets. Last year, due to the onset of hair-curling bad breath, I brought Willie to the vet for a teeth cleaning. After a year's worth of complications and just plain poor veterinary care, Willie's severe periodontal disease was successfully conquered this past Tuesday. We received a recommendation from a new, and might we say awesome, vet at our local animal hospital for dental expertise at the Center for Veterinary Dentistry in Gaithersburg, MD. It seems that because of the severity of damage to his teeth and gums, and the potential for his fragile jawbone to fracture during treatment, these folks were THE people to see. Post-treatment, I am in whole-hearted agreement. When his blood-sugar crashed, they caught it immediately and added dextrose to his IV. When his blood pressure rose too high, they stabilized him right away. In between monitoring his vitals and treating them as necessary,taking x-rays and pictures, they also removed 12 teeth that had progressed beyond salvage. TWELVE TEETH! I didn't even think he had twelve teeth in his little head! They called me when the surgery was complete with an update, and again a few hours later when he woke up. I brought him home around 2pm, and he groaned and cried for the next few days as he recovered. They gave me plenty of drugs to ward off infection and keep the pain as tolerable as possible, but for such a little guy, the trauma still rocked his world.

He stayed just like this for about 2 full days, and then his eyes cleared and I could see him getting back to his old self. Today, 5 days later, he is almost completely back to normal. The stitches are dissolving, his appetite his back in full force, and he's even started munching a piece of hard food here and there. He was able to retain his molars and 3 of the 4 canines, so he should be crunching up a storm in the very near future.
He doesn't seem to mind that his tongue now slips out of his mouth and just hangs there. Nor does it make much difference to him that his lisp is now extremely pronounced. He is well on his way to full and successful recovery, and I attribute much of that to the absolute phenomenal care he received from both vets. The rest is all him - he may be detoothed, but he cannot be deterred...

An Identity Crisis Revealed

First let me say it's a challenge typing with poodle ears draped over the keyboard.

Now, about this running thing... I think I finally had a glimpse of what it's all about yesterday. It's been on my mind ever since. Yesterday was the first time I'd run nonstop for 30 minutes. As the C25K program guidelines suggest, I start with 5 min of up tempo walking to warm up. This time, I didn't start my tracking app until after the warm up, and in anticipation of a hard run after a week away I set my C25K app back to the week 6 day 1 routine. I honestly didn't think I'd do well with such a lapse in time between activities.
Again, my newbieness is showing.
As it turned out, when the first "Now Walk" prompt came, I was no where near winded and didn't want to stop. I was in some sort of groove, and it was comfortable to be jogging. It was almost - zen.

My mind was calm, my shoulders weren't up around my ears, my posture felt right, and even in the cold my breathing wasn't in gasps. In fact, I might have even been able to carry on a conversation for a short time... A short conversation..

As it turned out, I never lost my breath once for the duration and just kept on truckin'. 2.59 miles in 33 minutes. I had my phone (with tracking app) in my jacket pocket, so when I reached my predetermined stopping point was the first time I realized my distance. I know I could have done the entire 3.1 miles given how good I was feeling. Next time I'll plan the appropriate distance. And the strange thing is, I'm excited about the next time. I never thought I would feel this, but there it is.. I can't help but shake my head in amazement. Who AM I?

Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk

Believe me when I tell you that I'm just as shocked as you are to see a post here about me running. Honestly, I just never imagined that would be a topic on my mind. But here it is - the first running post.

I began telling myself 8 weeks ago that I was just gonna do it. There's no pressure. I don't have to "race". I just have to get healthier - that's really the crucial driver here - and I added a requirement to finish whatever event I enter. Why not run? Indeed. A friend turned me on to the Couch-to-5K (C25K) running program. In 9 weeks, the beginning runner can learn how to develop running skills and endurance in very small increments. You start by walking/running intervals that build you up without overdoing it. It seemed even more possible when I found the C25K app for Android hooks me up with walk/run prompts based on the program schedule. I could listen to music or audio books and not have to worry about keeping track of timing. Sweet! The first goal would be a 5K run, or 3.1 miles. I can walk 3.1 miles, so this seemed reasonable. After a few weeks of being amazed at myself that I was improving and my lungs hadn't exploded yet, I treated myself to new sneakers and some running clothes. Okay, so far so good. I started noticing my clothes were fitting differently. NICE! I was so excited about my ability to conquer this running thing that I agreed to sign up for this December 4th 5K - officially paid an entry fee and received a runner's number and everything.

And then it got cold.

I slowed down, started carrying an albuterol inhaler for the first time in over 15 years, and my lungs hurt when I ran. Damn cold. When Dec 4th came around, I hadn't yet completed all phases of the 9 week program. But with the encouragement of good friends who told me this event was at my pace however I wanted to run/walk it, I went. And I'm so glad I did! It was cold, but I didn't die. I lost my breath a few times, but I didn't die. I asked to walk a little longer interval in our 4 min run/1 min walk routine a few times, but I didn't die. And when encouraged to kick in a little extra at the end, I was able to find the energy and do just that, and I didn't die. It was the furthest and fastest I've run/walked yet. 3.1 miles in about 42-43 minutes (no clocking out at start line, only in at finish, so it's a guestimate based on Kerry's GPS watch and my Runkeeper) and I DIDN'T DIE!!!

I also learned some things. First of all, I'm okay running with others. I can't talk when I run yet, but once I unplugged an ear from my music and could hear others, I found it was nicer to be tuned in to their discussions than in my head alone. I also learned I can do their 4/1 routine if I just practice it. Lastly, I know what it feels like to push a little harder than I have and that I can recover fairly quickly. Maybe not in a minute, but in less than 2 minutes. I think eventually the recovery times will be less. I am still going to try to keep with the C25K program and get myself to the point where I can run the entire 30 minutes, but I'll alternate with this new-to-me 4/1 routine, too. I think I like the personal challenge of this running thing.

Stay tuned - I've already signed up for two more 5Ks!! [Sorry Anne - I couldn't wait the week before deciding!! ;0P ]

This is our post finish shot. I am thankful to have such awesome friends who waited and ran the Granny Shuffle pace with me so I could finish with them. It was AWESOME!!!! :0)

A Feline Victory

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I won't say cats are evil. I know too many people (seriously - entirely too many) who have beautiful and loving felines in their homes. They find huge amounts of comfort and joy from them. But for me? Cats are toxic. They are really super cute, and I wish I could benefit from those cats who love to be rubbed and snuggled. But as it happens, if I stand next to you and you have cat hair on your clothes, I'm gonna react to it. If you hug me and I breathe more in, I'm going to react more. If I enter your house and cat dander enters my system on a regular basis (it takes about 10 minutes), it's gonna get ugly.

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If you expect me to stay longer than 10 minutes, please preplan by mapping the quickest route to the closest ER because that's where we will be spending our quality time together..

In the past, my strategy has been to seek out and avoid. Friend, "Hey, you wanna come over and meet the family?" Me, "I'd love to! Do you have cats?" Friend, "Yea, we have one. She's great!" Me, "Oh. Sorry. I can't ever visit your house." Friend, with stupified look, "Oh. Well that sucks." And the friendship is now defined with an explicit boundary. Ugh. Have I mentioned yet just how many people have cats? Trust me when I tell you - an enormous amount.

But there's hope for me in this war against all things cat. Knowing I am allergic to the elements in cat saliva that attach to their dander when they groom themselves, I was interested immediately when I first heard that corn-based cat food amplifies those excretions. Cats are meat-eaters, so feeding them grain-based cat food causes THEM to react, and people with cat allergies then react to that reaction. Isn't this fun? In other words, feeding cats (and dogs) grain-based foods as their staple diet just ain't natural.

My neighbors have two cats and a dog. I love their pup, Hazel, and she comes over to hang out when her parents have to be away. Unfortunately, she also has come with cat dander on her and I've always reacted to it, which forced me to not pet her as much as I want to. Until this last time. Her parents decided to try changing the cat food from the grain-based food to a meat-based food. After a few weeks (and a bath for the pooch) I was able to snuggle up with Hazel when she spent the night without reacting.. !!! ... Holy crapola - is it working?!? I tested it further and sat inside their house for about 20 minutes... They had cleaned and opened the windows and OMG I was able to sit there be fine! It's hard to fathom that after 43 years of waging this war, I might actually have a small battle under my belt..
THIS, my friends, is sooooo newsworthy!!

On the Road to Recovery

A little background: This summer, my beloved Z3 was totaled.

The timing was inconvenient to say the least. I was pretty bummed about losing my car and was not prepared to choose a replacement. After some cursory searches of late model convertibles, I found I was spending too much time shaking my head in disappointment. At some point I decided to just stick with what I knew. Prior to the Z3, I owned an 87 BMW 325i sedan. It was a strong-willed tank that saved my hide from being crushed by an f250 love tap into my driver side door. I had really loved that old car! Like all BMWs, it just had a unique character about it. So I decided to search in a new direction: backward. I finally found the right model in fairly decent shape down in Raleigh, NC. A 1991 BMW 325iC. It came with documented updates that included new front and rear seats, an MTECH II kit, a working convertible top, and a few other mechanical improvements. It also came with a set of issues. I talked with the owner, crossed my fingers, flew down and bought it - not without some complications. We worked them out, and I drove it home.

As we became more acquainted on the drive home, the list of immediate needs grew. These were only minor things that I was able to notice with my untrained eye/ear. Luckily for me, I have an outstanding mechanic who went over every square inch of her when I showed up the next day. My list grew exponentially. Here is an example of one of the bigger items:

What a flex disc is supposed to look like to hold the driveshaft together -

What the flex disc that came out of my car today looked like -

Yea. No rubber left, only shredded braiding from within. The mounts were flat and rotten. Fortunately, I made it home from Raleigh without incident. Also topping the fortunate list, this was the only real big item to contend with that made my mechanic freak out when he saw it.
Today, the flex disc has been replaced, the lowering kit removed (thank goodness!), there's a new windshield and muffler, and I'm waiting on a refurbished speedo to come back from BMW.
I am totally in love with this car already. Bringing it back to premium condition will be exciting!

Politics...Geesh

I'm tuned into CNN right now. Lots of projections. Lots of "what if" scenarios being tossed around. Silly conjecture and arguments based on conjecture - not substantial enough to be called a debate. Rude behavior justified by bipartisan passion. Nothing really of substance. I was pleased to have flashed my voter's card today. Now, my phone keeps ringing from an "800 Service" originating from one political rep or another's automated cold-calling systems. About 5 of the calls tonight resulted in dead air on the other end. I wonder if the automation is simply rebelling against the insanity on its own.
My fault, I know. I'm a registered voter.
They have my number. I get emails from the political party I identify with. They usually are asking me for money. They have my email. Of course they do. I'm so twisted up over our political environment that I'm constantly fighting the rising sense of disgusted dismissal (denial?). Does it make me unpatriotic that I feel ill listening to people of supposed stature trash-talk one another, banking on the train-wreck mentality of our culture to raise their popularity with outrageous behavior? Ugh.. Ridiculous expectations, criminal exploitations, and media sensationalism. Individuals who sincerely are "for the people", who may actually cherish a constituency to keep safe and make proud, are eaten alive and left broken and humiliated. And we, the people, foster this process. I am too naive, I'm told. A dreamer. Not realistic. Right.
My fault, I know. I'm a registered voter.

I Am The Converted

Recently, I've had someone whom I did not previously know look literally into my mind and soul and go "Hey - I think I know you!" Ironically, at the same moment, I think I did the same. I turned to my partner to ask what she saw, and she smiled and nodded, saying "Two peas in a pod" and "Just alike" as her descriptors... Huh... Weird. They say everyone has a twin, but I never really put too much stock into that as anything other than myth or old wives' tales. So now I'm perplexed. Is there some truth to it? Does every single person on earth actually have a twin somewhere else in the world? I believe in "categories" of people, people who share similar physical or personality characteristics, like red hair and freckles, or almond eyes, or gaps between their front teeth, or deep dimples (yes, I know they are creases, but this is for the general folk).. Some people share logical thought processes, while others deal very well in the abstract. Some people are born with musical talent, while others are athletically gifted. But a "twin" born of another mother? Seriously? And not even like broussel sprouts? (nodding) Yes, it's true. I have become a believer. Look out world, there's another me out there, and you're all in trouble ;o)