Page One

 "Some day, will be learn to think through and outline bigger pieces. Until that happens, I will just type until it becomes writing."  David Carr Tweet 4.5.11

Another reason why I love Taboo

Sometimes, if I'm talking about something, er, tricky?  nuanced?  touchy? I struggle to find the word best suited to describe what I'm talking about and take a long Harold Pinter like pause to access it (let's just say it's because my inner-dictionary is a big fat book).

One thing (among many) I love about Taboo is that I can take pause to find a word and people just assume it's because I can't say the word I really want to.

What the hell is aTurkish Get-Up?

At first I was confused when I previewed the Cross Fit workout of the day.
What the hell is Turkish Get-Up?
The mall rat in me beat out the gym rat and I thought "Wardrobe?"

Then I watched a video and was thrilled.
Here's a still of this move in action (is a still of a move in action an impossible object?)

I haven't been able to do any swing dancing aerials this year (UNC class conflict) and I'm antsy to fly.
Having someone lift me off the ground and hold me over their head would be close enough.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I walked into the gym and people were lifting kettlebells, not people.  Well, as soon as someone is ready to lift 125 pounds of something many times the size a kettlebell with no handle (or love handles for that matter) I'm game.

Compare the image below the the image of me to your right.  The similarity is striking, no?

Tri-Tri

I already have three triathlons on the books (= registered and paid) for the season.

I'm curious how Cross Fit (there will be other blog topics, I promise, but this is my blog) will affect my performance.  In describing it's many attributes, Cross Fit indicates it improves performance in activities/sports you don't necessarily do at CF. Like, biking (and dancing?).

The first Tri is Ramblin Rose (ladies only) in Raleigh on May 22nd.  I will do some swimming, riding running in advance but for the most part I'm going to focus on cross-training via Cross Fit.

The second Tri is the Doughman with the famous fourth leg.  Eating.
It's a relay race (me and my food aggression will just have to deal with it).
I'm the bike rider.  I also have to eat the most.  Let's just skip the question of why I was asked to do this leg.
I'm not sure how to train for a tri that DQ's you if you puke.

The third tri is Smile Train Sprint Triathlon in Wake Forest.
This is actually the first Tri.  My first Tri.
Two years ago a pal quit smoking.  Decided to do a triathlon to get through it.
I said "I'll do it with you."

And here we are.

You know you're hungry when you don't realize this isn't actually a bakery storefront

Until you see this

The lifecycle of a haircut

In college, a male friend explained the life cycle of guy's haircuts.

Week One - Overly Shorn
Week Two - Nirvana
Week Three - Shaggy

I have short hair and have experienced the same life cycle, perhaps in two week increments. I thought I was having bad hair days and then I just realized I needed a haircut.

Short hair, it took some time, but I like you. People compliment you. You look good with big dangling earrings. But, you are not easy. I need to blow-dry you, occasionally use product and cut you every other month, at least.

Short hair, if we were in a Facebook relationship I would have to change our status to "It's Complicated."

Jamie and her mesmerizing skirt of two colors

I attended (and sorta organized) a dancing "Feedback Session" tonight.
Pretty informal.  Dance, record, discuss, watch, discuss, repeat.

What did I learn?  That my black and white "house skirt" is moving to the "Swing Dancing" section of my closet.

If I ever compete I will wear this skirt to make my opponents dizzy.

You betcha

I'm nearing the end of the "Philosophy of Religion" class at UNC. Today we reviewed Pascal's Wager. I was already familiar with it but after weeks of thinking about the existence of God I know I "took it in" differently.

It doesn't take long to explain. So Instructor was pretty funny about it. She drew "the matrix" and said "Ok, so believe in God." One student raised his hand and asked "So, what was the point of this whole class?"

My so called life in Ohio

For the first time in nine months, I actually had to buy toothpaste.


To be clear, I have been using toothpaste this whole time with 2x daily frequency at least. I just wasn't paying for it as I had stashes courtesy of the Hyatt.


Maybe this marks the official end of my so called life in Columbus?

Nah, when I lose all my hotel/airline points and status, that's the end. Those were perks, and I'm still enjoying them.

Perhaps if I return to the State Street Hyatt and Shuttle Dave doesn't recognize me - that would be the end. He was the Hyatt driver who took Helen and I to the Client site almost every day and was very welcoming and friendly and remembered the nature and structure of our lives out there. I miss shuttle Dave. Now, only NPR keeps me company on my way into work.

Michael WOD - my hero or nemesis?

 Some of the Cross Fit WOD's (workout of the day) have names.  I think they are called Hero WOD's.

This morning I met Michael.

3 rounds for time
Run 800 m (just a shade under a half mile) around the neighborhood
50 Situps
50 Superman's

I did this in 30 minutes and 16 seconds.  Rx.  Slow in comparison to the others and quite far from the "time to beat" but I'm competing with myself and my goals were to run the whole 800 (instead of take a walk break) and just push myself a little harder than I have been.  Also, this is the first WOD I have done RX - exactly as prescribed (no modifications).

Kurt Cobain set the pace for my first 50 situps (they have music in the background).

On my last 800 I saw a guy take a leak - Was that Michael?

The last 50 sit ups were a bitch (or maybe bastard, since this is Michael's workout).  My head felt really heavy like a bowling ball but I cranked them out.  Not much grace.  I think I might have grunted.  And I know I cursed.  I got the occasional "C'mon Jamie" from the Coach (who used to be a marine) and I channeled a little inner GI Jane.

Someone counted out my last 50 Superman's and I know I would not have gone that pace without that.  Whoever (whomever?) you are.  Thanks.

I can't wait to go back tomorrow.  I guess you could say I'm drinking the Kool-Aid.

There's something else playing into my desire to push myself and own how I move.  I watched 127 Hours last week.  It's the story of Aron Ralston - the adventurer who amputated his own arm to escape from a boulder that had him pinned in a canyon in six days.  I was inspired by his psychological and physical strength.  I don't know that I could summon the former under the same circumstances and I'm sure I don't possess the latter.  

Pasty and Pale

I'm a fan of Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer. It's about as close to foundation as I'm ever going to get. I ran out of it a few weeks ago but only today was able to summon the energy for the make-up area in Nordstrom.

I didn't think my skin could be any paler than it already is or that there was a shade lighter than "nude."

I thought wrong.

You've got to learn how to fall before you learn to fly

Indeed Paul Simon, you do.

So, I took a bailing class at Cross Fit.  To learn to fall and to get the barbell (and yourself) out of the way if you think you might drop it on your head.

Unless I'm falling into water (surfing/diving) I do have some anxiety about hitting my head (for good reason) and it makes me a little more cautious than I might be.  Having the Coach push our backs on his own timing to practice the front fall made me laugh (lots of Cross Fit things make me laugh, like being upside down) and alleviated some of that anxiety.

I did notice an almost twinkle in the Coach's eye when he was leading this exercise.  He waited a really long time.  I have the attention span of SQUIRREL! and got distracted by what was going on at Motorco across the street. Then pow, I'm down and my wrist bore the brunt of the fall.  Exactly what you're not supposed to do.

Throwing a barbells around also cracked me up.  It was especially enjoyable in that throwing barbells seems like something you're not supposed to do (like jumping on the bed) but damn it's fun.

DAUGHTER: Mommy, where's Daddy?
JACKIE: Running.
DAUGHTER: From what?

We were there

NC/OC

There's a hole in the plane, dear Southwest, dear Southwest.

Did people actually put on their own masks on before assisting others?
They always say that. I'm not a parent but I can imagine the instinct to get your kid air might override the logic that you can best assist your child if you are breathing yourself.

Also, have they revised the safety scripts?
I don't know that the airline attendants, especially Southwest ones, could say "In the unlikely event of the loss of cabin pressure" without giving themselves away.

"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.

Bouncing Balboa Baby

Baby likes to bounce
Balboa involves a bounce (pulse)
Jamie likes to Balboa
Baby likes Jamie

Baby's parents are in a Bluegrass Band.
Nature (Bluegrass) or Nurture (Swing)?


I might just have a maternal bone in my body.

This week I learned Anthropologie has a wedding dress line. I'm amused that's what made me think "Hmmm, I could get married."

My apologies for doing Balboa to "Lindy Hopper's Delight." If you're going to start them young, start them right.

Glimpses

I know you can't really understand what it means to be a parent until you are one. This read, however, quite a glimpse.


Most of the "physical drama" is that of the son. Even when the father suffers a cerebral hemorrhage his thoughts focus on his son's whereabouts.

Reading about brain bleeds makes me a little anxious. One passage brought me relief and concern.

"In the immediate aftermath of my brain hemorrhage, I complained that I had missed out on what I imagined might be a benefit of surviving a near death experience - that is, beyond the ultimate perk: still being alive. That said, I have often heard and read survivor's describe the epiphanies that came from tragedy. Their lives transformed, became simpler, with clearer priorities."

No such epiphany following my hemorrhage. I don't ever think I felt near death. Mostly, there was uncertainty. Near death or not - a brain bleed is serious stuff and I wondered if my life would change in the aftermath of the event. It didn't and this has always had me wondering (and concerned) about my ability to reflect and change. On the other hand, radical life changes in the aftermath of "trauma" also seemed like a bit of a cliche or a merchandising of the experience.

"I was judging too early. Thing have shifted since then. Just as there are stages of grieving or dying , there must be stages after a trauma because the lessons of the neuro ICU sank in over time."

It's been a year and a half since my "trauma." My life is alarmingly similar. Does that indicate lack of transformation? Not necessarily. There are surface details and then there's gradual processing and related action. I haven't entirely realized (or even formed, for that matter) a new vision yet I do question that one I've held. I question why I haven't accomplished it and then wonder if it's the right path at all. A world of contradictions?


"If only life were easier. It isn't - nor is that my goal any longer. Once I desperately wanted things to be simpler, but my worldview was broken over the course of Nic's addiction and my stay in the ICU. From them, I learned another lesson: that I can accept - in fact am relieved to accept - a world of contradictions, wherein everything is gray and almost nothing is black and white. There is much good, but to enjoy the beauty, the love, one must bear the painful."

Some of the more random things I get paid to do

I've had plenty of moments at work where I've marveled at the randomness and goofiness of what I'm paid to do.  In the earlier part of the year the spokesperson (SP) for the account I work on was asked to do be present at kickoff meetings in a few different regions. 

My job?  Hang out with him.  I was some combination of being present to represent the agency other part being his handler.  His appearances were all surprises and so he needed to lay low prior to the events.  This individual is not a sit in his hotel room and chill kind of guy so in every market we set out to explore.

In Nashville we enjoyed a visit to The Hatch - a classic printing press shop I had actually used for an ad job.  They actually remembered that job.  I wondered how annoying we were.  Turns out it was just very high volume for them relative to other jobs at the time.

We had lunch at Sam's - a classic Nashville BBQ establishment and then took a tour of the Ryman.  Even though said spokesperson was in a baseball cap and not looking much like his character the woman who took his ticket recognized him and exclaimed in a delightful southern accent "You're that guy on TV!"  Another woman in the tour group also figured it out.  Her husband had no clue and commented "I feel like Elvis is standing in front of me and I don't know it."  Instead of paying attention to the tour guide, he looked up the spots on You Tube.

In NC, we passed a billboard featuring SP.  We were headed to the airport and he was texting his wife.  He took a quick look up and returned to his phone.  SP has a great sense of humor and humility so I made a funny remark about his indifference at his larger than life image.

One of the appearances was at a resort outside of Atlanta.  We contemplated horseback riding or a boat ride.  Somehow Scrabble came into the conversation and I mentioned my mad skillz.  So, on a beautiful day in a summer camp like setting we sat inside playing Scrabble.  It actually turned out to be a little bit more of a tutorial.  SP has fantastic improv & acting skills but Scrabble - not so much.  Here we are, posing as if we're in the midst of an intense play.

SP has three children.  My dad traveled a lot and I am familiar with the traveling parent needing to bring something back to the kids upon returning home.  SP's kids had some unusual requests (a doll that looks like a grownup and talks) and it was like a scavenger hunt trying to find this item (and others) during the trips.  We never located the requested items but based on what was purchased, I think SP was going to be let back in the house upon his return.

Pre Rolf

Rolfer: So, what's hurting?
Jamie: Have you heard of CrossFit? Well, I've been watching some videos and...
Rolfer laughs
Jamie: What's so funny?
Rolfer:You're in pain just watching the videos?
Jamie: (laughing too)I've been watching some videos and practicing the moves. Ahem.

Um, thd song goes "If you go to San Francisco" (not Orange County) then you wear flowers in your hair

Unless it's National Flower In Your Hair Month or you're Adam.
What has California done to this boy?

I was definitely at the right Super Bowl party tonight

Chit-chat during game.
Hushed during commercials.
Dead quiet during Glee.
I was definitely at the right Super Bowl party tonight.

There was some sort of pool where you wrote your name in any old box (the corresponding football scores would be determined after you placed your bet). I put my name in a box with a chili stain. I won $5.

Right party, for sure.

I rooted for the Steelers. Only because NW is a proud sponsor of the Steelers and I've met Hines Ward.

Usually I take bath products from my hotel room. But here, the key card sleeve.