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?

Howard is Hired.

So, Barb is on for the ultra. Today, we '"interviewed" a potential coach - Howard Nippert. He's hired. JFK50, Maryland, November 2010. Here comes Barb. And Jamie, her manager. And Howard, her coach.

I've been watching some Gilmore Girls over the holiday. Enjoying it. It's no West Wing but hey, everyone is from CT!

Dullllll movie.

Nate lasted ten minutes. Teri forty. Jamie forty five.
.
Now, my walking tour. That's excitement. That lasted for hours.

Sweet dreams and flying machines

In pieces on the ground.

Nice Day

Eyebrows threaded. Lunch Buffet. Lunch Coma. Walk/Run.

Was going to take a bike ride with Barb. Until she called that her cat was missing. I had posted printed promising a reward within minutes of her phone call. Then she found her cat. We walked around Lake Johnson. And then hung out. And researched ultramarathons. And I ended up staying for dinner prep, dinner with Barry and Josh and a few card games where the loser had to wear a funny hat.

It was a nice day.

I had lunch with Ellen today

I miss her. And the goats.

I finally got to making the enchiladas.

Diane ate soy crumbles. Yum, yum, yum.

Recipe

It's time for a few small repairs again.

Just a bulb.

Lunch

Welll there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come

Run, Bengt, Run

Coach Foehl gets her runner ready.

Nice to see you again

Whoosh

After almost four years down here I finally got to a basketball game. Duke. Season opener. Really good seats (got them from McKinney CEO). I enjoyed the game but I think my favorite part was the Cameron Crazies. Student fans. When Duke makes a basket they all say whoooooooooooooooooooooooooosh. Loved it.

One of my favorite childhood films.

I must have these. Need to find them in my size.

Happy 40th, Sesame Street

And "Happy Fall" to me too.

Berlin wall news.

I remember the news coverage of the Berlin Wall coming down. My dad said something along the lines of "Pay attention to this. You might not realize it now but you're witnessing a historic moment."

Carleton Cooking Series: Chinese Food

Bubble Soup. Yum. Involved a lot of stirring, but so delicious.

Happy Alumni! We've lost track of the courses.

I played Woodstock in a school play years ago.

I wore yellow feety pajamas.

"It's time for a few small repairs" she said.

Sunny came home with a mission.

Marathon Day

It's Marathon Day! And I have pictures. Sadly, I did not participate in this marathon. I had been training with Barb and was planning on doing the half for sure, the full perhaps, depending on how my body dealt with the longer runs. But then, you know, the whole brain thing and no running.

So, I embraced the role of Cheerleader Coach for my pal Barb. Organized friends to cheer for her at several locations along the route. I had a spreadsheet. We broadcast her location and progress on Facebook.

Met Barb at the start (got there before she did so I got in line for the bathroom). Here's the thrilling pre-race interview.


It would not have been a worse day for a marathon. Cold. Windy. Rainy. Barb smiled throughout the whole thing.


She made a friend along the way. Meet Dana (with Barb at Mile 10).


After filming this clip, this is me at home, doing a wardrobe change before I drive to the finish.

And here's the big finish.


Overall it was a really exciting day and I was beaming with pride for pal Barb. It was, however, in a teeny tiny way a little bittersweet. I set a goal for myself that I was not able to achieve due to circumstances beyond my control. So, new goals I guess. Right now, I'm working up to a really solid 5K pace. Then I'll start training for a 1/2. Maybe do the Tobacco Trail Marathon in March, do some Triathlons through the Spring and early Summer and then train for the Raleigh Marathon. Working that out.

Trick or Treat or Gum

Another Halloween Party tonight. Adam went as Dexter. I went as one of his victims. Adam wore a Henley and carried a garbage bag, I wrapped my torso in plastic wrap and then we did a blood stain with nail polish.

Another funny Halloween Story.

It's about 600 in the evening. We hear a knock on the door. We wonder who in the world it is.

Trick O Treaters.

Duh.

But not really. We live in an apartment. We have nothing on hand. Well, Diane is making beef stew but that's worse than the dentist who gives you toothpaste on Halloween.

Gum! We have gum. Unopened. Wrapped. The kids get gum and Adam and I head to the Food Lion to get some candy. I know all this candy is going to be like a dollar tomorrow and I feel like a sucker paying eight bucks for it tonight.

Of course, we only get one more set of Trick O Treaters after that.

Marathon Pumpkin

I went to a Pumpkin Carving Party tonight and carved a Pumpkin that said 26.2 (for Barb). I forgot to take a picture of it. Unbelievable, I know.

Come play with us Danny

Awesome, right? Still, no win in the costume contest.

Come play with us Danny

Photo credit to Stacy Evans.

Funniest Brain Related E-mail of the Day

"Let's start a brain bleed beauty contest. You could be Miss Cavernoma, 2009."

Did Dr KL tell you what you have?

And it’s Tuesday. Appointment with Doctor L. I’ve got Diane in tow and we head to the office. We arrive and I’m told my appointment was at 9AM this morning and I was listed as a no show. Now, brain jokes about cognitive deficits and memory aside I am positive the appointment was at 2:00. Positive.

Later on I learned that they left a message for me at my work number asking me if they could move it until 9:00am. First of all, I don’t know how they got my work number as I rarely use it and rarely give it out (I use my cell phone) and secondly I never got back to them that this change was OK so they really should not have switched it without confirmation from me. Whatever. I was relieved I hadn’t made a mistake remembering the time. I do harbor a bit of anxiety about issues with cognition.

I’m told they’ll squeeze me in and Diane and I sit around for about an hour. Then we sit in an examination room for about 10 minutes. Again I admire the bamboo floors and appreciate the good use of my insurance dollars.

Doctor L comes in. Dressed to the nines, of course. I kind of like and dislike that about him.

Highlights from the conversation

L: How are you?
J: I’m OK, how are you?
L: Better than you (it was funny).
J: Did Dr KL tell you what you have?
D/J thinking – is this some kind of guessing game? Is there something I haven’t been told about? Fortunately, he’s just referring to the cavernoma.
J: Well, I got a diagnosis in a voicemail. I’ve researched it but I would like to discuss it without.
L: A voicemail? The health care system these days (grumble grumble)
J (thinking) At least I get a call back.
L: You have a cavernoma. It’s in a shitty place. Near the brainstem.

He goes on to explain that surgery would be very, very risky. But, he quickly indicates that it’s unlikely they would do surgery on me. It would be a last ditch effort if it bled again AND along with really bad symptoms.

He goes on to explain that pretty much my life goes back to normal.

Of course I have a million questions (Ok, not a million but I actually did have four printed pages of questions. Diane took notes). Most of my questions are along the lines of limitations, prevention and treatment.

L: We have seen the people who baby themselves are not more or less likely to have another bleed.

As far as I’m concerned that’s good news. And bad news. The good news is I can go back to doing whatever I want. The bad news is there’s nothing I can do to prevent a repeat bleed because if there was, I would damn well be doing it.

L: If you have any more questions, just give me a call.

And here’s the moment I’ve been waiting for

J: Er, you’re kind of hard to get in touch with

L (surprised): I am the most reachable Doctor ever. My home phone is listed.

Jamie explains a little. Diane mentions him going to China without any coverage.

L:
obviously not hearing the part of the sentence that included “without any coverage”
I’m entitled to a vacation!

D: Oh, absolutely. Vacations are great. I just got back from a vacation. It’s just not having any coverage when you’re gone.

L: There are five other neurosurgeons here.

D: Jamie called your office and was told she had to wait until you got back before any decisions could be made.

L: That doesn’t make any sense

D/J: That’s what we were told.

Towards the end of the conversation Doctor L described it as a "freak" that they figured out what it was. It was only diagnosed because the CT scan I had last week was the same as the CT scan in August, yet I could not have had another bleed. It is difficult to diagnose these.

L: If I were to chose something to be wrong with my brain. This, what you have, would be it.

Hm, comforting?

We leave and agree that Doctor L is alright but his office staff is kind of shitty.

As soon as I get home I go for a run.

For the first time in over two months I feel some genuine sense of relief. This is about as over as it ever really can be.

Eh. I thought about it afterwards. But not for that long.