Resolution for 2010

Be less grumpy.

Gifts

Parker got a Snuggie. He liked it.

Diane got me an ET shirt. I liked it.

Family Time

Spent a few days with Teri, Nate, Jon & Mom after Christmas in Seattle.

Highlights included

walking out on a nun doing improv

shopping downtown

watching the Hangover twice
skiing with Mom who hasn't skied in 25+ years

pre-bowling blowout between Teri and Jon
bowling
sharing the couch with Jon
a bitchy and dumb receptionist at the spa (that's my mom, not the bitchy employee)

pictures on the beach with the siblings

passing time in Tully's

a false alarm mad rush to the airport
a blowout so fierce on my part that the dog started to bark
mom forgetting to separate her liquids out at the airport
a redeye
Ho ho ho!

It don't snow here, it stays pretty green.

2.5 miles on Christmas eve with Barb

Hohoho

Running against the clock

Barb and I wanted to run together today. Originally we were going to go in the middle of the day but work got the better of both of us. So, around 4:30 we tried again. We were thinking, "Hmmmm, how long are we doing to have the light?" and then we realized it was Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year. So we scrambled out there and did a quick two miles as the sun went down. Neat.

Running With Weather

Barb launched her 50 mile training program this week. I'm going to run with her as often as possible. Not as long or as fast. We make it easier for each other to get our there.

Barb and I planned to run over lunch at work. Then it started to snow. Now, here's why I love Barb. She's more excited to run b/c it's snowing. I was too. Of course, it stopped snowing during our run and then started up after the run. We wanted to be hard core but the weather didn't allow it.

Saturday morning was rainy and cold. When I left my apartment to drive a pal to the airport my first thought was "Er, don't want to run in this" but then I thought about Barb on Marathon Day, and skiing and was fine with crappier weather. If you're ready for it (apparel) it can be fun.

We had a muddy run on Lake Johnson. And then read up on running in the cold and rain. We need track suits.

Er, is my car now more of less valuable?

Pretty Rain Boots Make Everything Better

Have you ever opened up a pot of rice and watched the steam come screaming out? That's pretty much what happened to my car this morning. So I pulled over, got out of the car and stared at it.

Before I could figure out what to do next someone had pulled over to help. This nice guy helped me open the hood. Using the manual we figured out where to find the coolant container was and then we determined it was empty. While said guy was helping me with my car I put in a quick call to my boss. He made a joke about John Silverman driving by. "John Silverman," I said. "How do you know John Silverman?" What I didn't realize what that the person who stopped was McKinney coworker. Hey, there are a ton of new people at the place and I was gone when most of them came in. And here I thought he was helping a pretty damsel in distress.

He stayed for a bit until I had a call into Rod who knew I was going to be late and also car me car advice), Swedish Imports (the repair shop), Roadside Assistance and pal David who was going to come wait with me (David just drove 14+ hours from Chicago last night, but he and his puppy Parker were happy to come join me).

I'm told the tow truck will arrive 40 minutes or less. An hour later I get a call. The tow truck got in an accident on it's way to me. David said "That's like hitting an ambulance." An accident isn't funny, it isn't, but this situation, well, it really was. We had to laugh. I don't think Parker was as amused. Poor boy wants out of the car.

Finally the second tow truck arrived. At this point, David has escaped for coffee in downtown Durham so I rode with the Tow Truck Guy to Swedish imports where David met me with a bagel and juice and drove me to work.

It was raining this morning so of course I had on my snappy rain boots. Either Diane or David noted "Good thing she has her rain boots. Make waiting for the tow truck much more fun."

It did!

A date which will live in infamy

indeed.

River

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace

Parking Spot

For the first time ever there wasn't a parking space in the lot by my building. So I had to park one lot over. When I got to the apartment I said to Diane. "Ok, here's what going to happen tomorrow morning. I'm going to leave the apartment and then come back very frantic and wake you up because someone stole my car." You just need to remind me that it's in the other lot, ok?