"I feel like such as asshole for crying over an asshole like you"

On Feb 6th, 2006 I interviewed with a "Rod Brown" at McKinney. I had no idea his title or department and he kind of looked like he could be in IT. Given how many people I had to interview with for this position nothing would have surprised me.

This Rod fellow wanted to take a walk. So, we did. I was wearing dress up a clothes and heels and negotiating the stepping stones of the "river" through the American Tobacco Campus was a touch challenging. Then, this Rod fellow decided we should sit. On a brick wall that was about 2 feet off the ground. Easy for a short guy wearing pants. Not so easy for a tall woman wearing a skirt. Rod had interesting questions but I thought he was a bit odd.

When McK made the offer I was under the impression there were two possible spots for me and I delicately expressed a preference for the one not on Rod's team (I don't remember how I expressed it but it wasn't "That Rod guy is weird" - mind you.

For most of my McKinney career, Rod was my manager.

He is also friend. And he's "good people" through and through. I could fill pages with Rod stories and I just might tell a few stories later. For now, let's fast forward.

Rod left McKinney at the end of March 2011. There was a little "roast" for him on his last day. Much to my surprise I got a little teary (I wasn't the only one).

After the little gathering I full on cried.

I went into Rod's office, still sobbing and said "I feel like such an asshole for crying over an asshole like you." And we hugged.

Rod was part of the heart of my McKinney. I miss that grump.

Pseudepigrapha

Attended a reading and talk at UNC with Bart Ehrman.

Foehl, like a baby horse.

This is how I spell my last name
"F as in Frank, O-E-H-L.  Like a baby horse."  Today, Foehl meets a foal.

 My Little Pony.  No pink plastic.  This is the real deal.

What's with the look?  It's 1923 and I'm at Dog and Pony Show.

 I'll leave it at that.  For now.  In mid-May, this will make more sense.

Blindness

Another one of upbeat Netflix pics. 

Incidentally, a few hours after I watched this movie I danced with a blind lead.  It wasn't very different from dancing with a sighted lead, but inspiring nonetheless.

I often dance with my eyes closed (hardly comparable to being blind, I know).  Most of the information I need from my lead is through feel - not visual.  Closing my eyes helps me focus.

Nastar Nascar

I have friends skiing in Alta this week.  When they relay the "ski report" I have repeatedly mistaken "NASTAR" for "NASCAR." 

I've been in North Carolina too long.

Tried out some science fiction

Professional Professing in Greensboro

I guest lectured at A&T today.  

On February 1,1960  four A&T freshman went to a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter and ordered coffee.  On July 25th, the order arrived.  The next day, the entire Woolworth's chain was desegregated. 

Death By Jump Rope And Then Pull ups and Sand Bags

I've been doing CrossFit for about three weeks now and feeling it.

One popular CrossFit move is a double under. It's jump roping except the rope goes under you twice before you jump. Like this:

I am afraid of being anywhere near someone doing a double under.  Listen to the sound of that rope.

(if you are viewing this via Facebook, please "view original post" to see videos)

On the rare occasions I've jumped rope I typically jump twice. I don't think that's the "opposite" of a double under but I'm going to have to jump much higher and much spin faster (that's all in the wrists).  Easier said than done:

The "ah!" was because I tripped myself with the jump rope. I think it might have been caught between my toes (wearing Vibrams). Barefoot Double Unders. Oh, my poor calves. This is Thursday.

Crossfit involves a "WOD" (Workout Of The Day). On Friday, day after jump rope, the WOD was affectionately called "Death by Pull Up." In the first minute you do one pull up, the second minute two, and you work up as far as you can but then you have to work down (meaning, if I can't do seven pull ups in the seventh minute then the next round I do six pull ups, then five and so on). With the assistance of a band (an elastic band, not music from my i-Pod) I "died" at seven as per my example.

The next morning when I woke up my arms did not seem to hang straight down by my side. I opted not to go swing dancing that night although given that one's arm is rarely (ever?) supposed to be fully extended I wondered if this might help my form. The possibility of yelping out in pain during the first swing out kept me home that Saturday night (I did go dancing a few days latter and found myself grimacing every time my arms went over my head.  Sorry leads).

Monday's WOD involved holding a sand bag over your head and walking uphill 100 meters, doing 35 squats (with sandbag, though it can "rest" on your shoulders) and then walking downhill, doing 35 squats. Twice (some WOD's are "Do this much exercise, report how long it takes" versus "You have this much time, how many rounds can you do?). WOD's like the former will make me late for work.

He's got the whole world in his hands. OK, maybe just Hollywood.

We're all in our thirties but we're still "the kids."

Looks Like A Shoe, Feels Like A Shoe.

To hell with the heels.

2 resolutions in 3 days

I made a few resolutions at the start of 2011.  Checked off two of them in the past three days.

 Enter a Novice Jack & Jill Why not?
I entered a first timer's contest - not Jack & Jill format but same difference.  We placed last but probably had the most fun (and, I met my lead the day before the contest and decided to enter with him about 45 minutes before the competition).  And, we weren't unanimously last - 5 judges - three of them put us in 4th place but two of them put us in 3rd place.  Really, entering it and just doing it was a big win for me.

I worked in "high-five" to one of the judges (Falty) during the dance.  Clips to follow but for now, a screen grab.

Ski

West Coast Pops

If there had been a "Smiley" Award, I would have won it.

I also would have won the "Stiff Shoulders" contest.
But alas, it was a dance contest.

Note that I cut the video right as we move into Charleston. In different directions.

Adam, on the other hand, made it to the Jack and Jill and Balboa Finals.

Total fail when Jack tried to throw Jill around the world. Really funny though. But again, these contests are not about funny or smiley. Second in the Bal competition. It was a bit of a dark horse win. Have those smooth moves been kept under wraps?

Inspriration Weekend Contest - Funny Clips

If you're looking at this as a note on Facebook you'll have to click on the original post to see the videos

Giving a judge a high five

And a little wave goodbye too.

Just watch the back of the head of the judge. He's laughing as we pass by. We're funny and jumpy and are traveling like ballroom dancers. We're having a great time and are laughing too.


If you're looking at this as a note on Facebook you'll have to click on the original post to see the videos.

What's with the tilt? Where we in the midst of an earthquake?

If that really was the case then let's keep dancing.

CrossFitting

One of my 2011 New Year's resolutions was not to lose any weight but to gain muscle, tone & definition.  I think I've found a way to achieve this resolution - CrossFit - a workout program that really jives with my own personal philosophies about wellness.  I'm most intrigued by the variation, focus on movements and the "groupness" of it.  Folks motivate each other and compete.  The coaches push.  I took me a while to be "okay" with this aspect.  I've always prided myself on motivation from within but the truth is it's just not there right now.

Several of my dance pals are already enrolled in this program and it was hard to ignore their rave reviews.  I'm starting with something called Foundations.  Just learning the basic moves.  I'm working with Ashely and she is all about form.  I love that.  

There is so much variation.  One activity is hitting a tire with a sledgehammer.  I can't wait for that.  In the meantime, it's all about squats.  

There's nothing too bad-ass about the video below but visuals are good, so here you go. 

Note my socks.  You're supposed to be on your heels for squats.  Sneakers don't help with that.  I'll be busting out the Vibrams next time.

In 2008 one of my New Year's Resolutions was to do a pull-up.  Never got there.  I think I will.  Curious how or if this will affect my dancing.  There's a gymnastics aspect that might help with aerials.

CrossFit Durham is located in the Trotter Building in downtown Durham.  This is also the same building where I take a dance class on Wednesday nights and social dance on Thursday nights (Hot Club).  So, it might be a home away from home.  Heck, that's better than a Hyatt in Ohio.

I did a morning workout and evening dance class the same day this week.  The term "squat" was used several times during both occasions.  I might reach a max on the number of times I can respond to that word in the Trotter building.  Incidentally, I also had my UNC class that same day.  My brain and body were good and tired at the end of that day.

Excited about this venture.