One Hundred Miles. Wow.

Volunteered at an aid station "The Tavern" for a 100 mile run through Umstead State Park tonight. Cheered in the cold and tried not to eat too many of the runner treats.

Suited for a Suit.

McKinney is involved with The Triangle Battle of the Bands. Part of that involvement is shooting a TV spot. Employees were invited to participate and participate I did. I was in an office scene that required me dig to the back of my closet for a suit. The suit I am wearing here is the same one I wore for interviews out of college. In 1999. Go me that it still (mostly) fits.

Spring and summer, every other day

Creepy

Professional Professing

I had the opportunity to "play" professor at East Carolina University on Friday afternoon. There were students in the classroom but the Jamie show was also available live online for distance students.

I've always been drawn to education but one concern was content. What would I teach? I've been doing my advertising thing for about 10 years now and I was able to keep the presentation going for the entire class period (1 hr 45 min). Apparently I had some things to say.

Can you tell me how to get how to get to B's BBQ road?

I'm in Greenville doing some talks at ECU. I got a little turned around and ended up on this road. V. entertaining.

I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just right.

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Oh little red riding hood, shutup!

I forgot what plants are altogether

Enrolling in Joy School

We're all just people, Jamie

In 2003 (seven years ago today) I had the opportunity to see Art Garfunkel at Town Hall and I had an invite to the after party(I was dating a guy who's job gave him access to all sorts of cool events. He never seemed to enjoy going but he had to, I loved going, so it all worked out).

Note that I was obsessed with Simon & Garfunkel as a teenager. Obsessed.

The first person I noticed was a teenage-ish kid with curly blond hair. We started to talk and yep, as suspected, it was Art Garfunkel's son - James. So, we're talking and then Art and his stunning wife make their entrance. And who do they approach first? Their son. I am still talking to James.

James: Dad, this is Jamie.

Jamie (thinking): Dad! He introduced Art Garfunkel to me as Dad! Be cool, be cool. Don't gush, do not gush.

Jamie (saying): You're my hero, my friend and I wanted to be you and Paul when we were young, I don't even remember. Can I get your autograph?

Art (hugs Jamie) We're all just people Jamie.

Professional Professors

I'm leading a semester-long project with a Duke marketing class (Professor Foehl - I like the sound of that). On Wednesday the students submitted progress reports to me and today I came to class to review them.

I brought along some of my colleagues to assist with the review and we enjoyed our afternoon escape to academia (the UNC McKinney/alum especially) until one of the students defined 22-44 as "middle aged."

I celebrated President's Day finishing this book

Fascinating to learn the story behind my beloved sneaker brands. Most interesting cocktail party factoid -- Adidas was started by Adolf (Adi for short) Dassler. Adi-Das. By that logic my sneaker brand would be JamFoe.

A dream house I designed years ago

I think I was in New York City. At a diner or something.

Maybe advertising was my destiny

Dressed and ready for the Running of the Bulls in case any should wander into the Durham Armory

Girl Time During the Storm.

And Mary & Diane.

Play in the Storm

Prepared for the Storm

Vibram Five Fingers

Earlier this week, I purchased these.

Wore them at the gym a bit during the week just to get used to the feeling. They went out for their maiden run on Saturday around Lake Johnson and then again on Sunday. I love them. You really do feel more connected. And, when I ran up a hill I felt my toes grab onto the ground. It was so primal. Awesome.

2010 Resolutions

Less time online (there’s a reason I said no to a free iPhone at work)
Achieve pre brain fitness level. ½ marathon
Learn how to apply liquid eyeliner and put on makeup without looking like a clown
Be vegetarian

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.
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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.