chrisequious

Taking Chance

2009-07-04T23:47:00.001-04:00

Happy 4th of July. You should watch "Taking Chance".

Putting the "Tri" in "Philatriphia"

2009-06-25T23:17:00.017-04:00

Last weekend was the Philly Tri. Decided to do it with some runner friends who apparently have also lost their senses.

Here are some reflections:

MJ died last week. Sad, yes... what is sadder? We had to drive out to Philly with NOTHING BUT MICHAEL JACKSON ON THE RADIO. We rocked out to Smooth Criminal the first time... by the 8th time, there were almost more deaths.
This was my first trip to Philly itself.... I found it better than I expected. It has Potbelly's, which is by far the home of my favorite sandwich and cannot be found in PGH, it also has a museum to which I must take Cheezy... When we needed to be picked up there, I may have referred to it as the "touch me" museum, but I believe the locals call it the "please touch" museum. eh, whatev. Also, lots of car horns... and sirens.... and I ate dinner under an honest to God manhunt... helicopter with giant spotlight and all.
So, the tri itself.... hard to put it into words... Marathons are so easy. Well, not easy... but they're simple. You lace up your shoes, wait for the gal in front of you to start running, and then don't stop until someone is hanging a medal around your neck. Simple. Enter the triathlon. Holy crap. I need three separate pairs of shoes!! I packed more for this weekend than I have packed for trips three times this long. Bike stuff, swimming stuff, running stuff, regular stuff. Oy.
First up, the swim. I don't know if you know this about me, but I enjoy being able to see my feet when I swim. I can't explain why, I've never been so much as kissed by a jellyfish... yet I am terrified of open water. So what do I do.. sign up for an event that requires me to swim in the Schuylkill River. Awesome. It was an in-water start, so I didn't have to run in, I was able to freak out on a dock for a few minutes before taking the great leap. The rest went well... 3/4 of the distance was toward this bridge. That was both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it made spotting easy, bad because the damn thing didn't seem to be getting any closer. It's waaaaay harder to break up the distance in the water than on land. I had a brief moment of panic in the middle that took me by surprise, when it sort of hit me that I was in the middle of a river and there was no stopping at a water stop or coasting for a minute or anything like that... I just had to keep going. It passed quickly though and I made it out of the water faster than I anticipated.
That led me to a special hell they call the "transition area". Chaos, people, chaos!! There are so many rules! first of all, you had to navigate some sort of maze to even get from the water to the transition area (hence my silly long transition times). Once you go there, you had to find your stuff among the 3000 other bikes and pairs of shoes and whatnot. THEN, you had to navigate your way back out with your poor bikey without killing someone.
The only thing I have to say about the bike portion is that you have to kind of not care if you die a little to successfully ride in a pack. Also, I'm a horrible climber... I have no idea why, but I'm an embarrasment to Western PA. Bike took way longer than I wanted, wasn't prepared to be riding with 3000 of my closest friends. Will be better prepared for this next time.
Oh god, back to transition!!! Nooooo!. Easier this time, no major wardrobe changes (effing wet suit), just a shoe change and lots of praying for my legs (you try biking for an hour and a half then talking your legs into a 10K.... seriously, try it... it's interesting....).
Luckily, I'm somewhat experienced at running tired, so by the time I got to the run, I was able to just zone out and put one foot in front of the other... until the medal part ;). I have never before and will never again be so happy with maintaining ten minute miles.

The executive summary is this: weekend was fun, triathlon was harrowing and terrifying and awesome. I feel like a rock star.

Waterfront

2009-06-10T10:22:00.009-04:00

I hate the Waterfront. This is a retail mecca in which they tried real hard... and failed. It's a pain to get to, it's crowded and.... and I think it's hard to explain, but I'm pretty sure it's a unanimous feeling. Anyway, it's sadly also the closest place for me to shop if I want something besides coffee, art, antiques, or handmade and tres expensive fashion... or adorable stuff penguins (sadly, no photo is available, but they're awesome).

Because of all this, I wait until I need about a zillion things before I venture over. Sometimes I am more successful than others, this trip was particularly funny to me, so I thought I'd share.

Dick's. I went in to get a pair of Tri shorts and some essential bike supplies that I used to have but don't have anymore *ahem*, such as chain lube and tire levers. What did I leave with? Nothing I had come in for. Only purchase was a new sleeping bag. Can't help but think was-ster would be pretty stoked by it, seem to remember references to my old sleeping bag including "surplus WW2". It was time.

Bed Bath and Beyond. Not a store I normally frequent, but I was given a gift card as a house warming gift and have about 60 wedding gifts to buy this summer so I ventured in... I don't know if you've been in a BB&B lately.... but it seems to have turned from the land of the unitasker and things I cannot live/sleep/shower/cook without into the "horrible infomercial product store"... maybe that's what they mean by "beyond"... but still. Aside from the zillion kitchen gadgets I wish I could use... I found little of interest here and wondered why everyone continues to register there for weddings? Can anyone help me out with this? Anyway, I left with my gift card intact and no gifts purchased, easily bypassing the pedipaws, aquaglobes, and the "slap chop" (oh, it's a real thing).

Lowe's. I have a love/hate relationship with Lowe's. Since buying a house, I have become a frequent flier here, and now find myself browsing... at a home improvement store... seriously? The hate part comes in because there is so much that I want to do that just isn't a one-chrisie operation. Oh man, the plans I have... I just need a small army of husbands, contractors and really really really good friends to make it all happen. So I leave here with enough paint samples to pretty much just wallpaper my house with them, several ideas for a new fire pit and... a hammock. There are not words for the love I feel for my new hammock. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I think I'll go lay in it now.....

Irony

2009-05-19T13:37:00.005-04:00

I was at a Pirates game the other night. I don't know how they do things in your city, but here in Pittsburgh, we like it when our mascot launches meat at fans.

I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of some of this meat... a hot dog to be specific. Why me, I ask you?? It was pretty funny though. I would also like to point out that the actual thing I caught was a gross and moldly hot dog with a coupon for a hot, fresh dog attached. Ew. I gave it my friend for his birthday. Seriously. Chrisie = worst. friend. ever.

Chipped Purple Nail Polish

2009-05-17T09:31:00.000-04:00

So we're now two full weeks past the marathon. The paint that outlined the course is starting to fade, the last lingering aches are healed, and my lovely purple marathon polish job is chipped and silly looking... but I refuse to take it off because it makes me happy every time I look it... plus it's slightly less obnoxious than still wearing my finisher's medal.

I've been working lately on letting go of the place, the event, the experience, the whatever, but keeping the lesson. It's time to let go of this marathon, and take off the stupid nail polish, but I want to make sure I have the lesson before I do that.

I've run 3 marathons, and each of them under wildly different circumstances. I've learned from all of them and I think the lesson from this one has to be my friends; I have such amazing people in my life and I got so hung up on the one that was missing, I almost missed the lesson: who cares if he doesn't care? I have so so so many people who do and I'm so thankful to you all!! I really couldn't have made it through this one without you guys. Thanks to those on the course, those on the side of the course and those in other cities who still knew my time before I did.

This chapter of my book starts with a huge acknowledgments page: First has to be to Margo, Erin(squared), Stephanie, and Kim. The pictures that are worth the thousand words are on Margo's blog, but man, there was nothing like seeing that sign with MY name on it!!!! I can't tell you without being sappy and cheezy how much it meant to me to see you guys there at the bottom of that hill, but since you've all been there, I don't have to tell you, and that's a beautiful thing!! Next time, you bitches are running with me though!!! =)

For being the only person who knew that this race, while still a ridiculous time, was also a PR for me, I send love to Haddy.

Mick, Carolyn, Steph, and Jay. I fed on your excitement and am so so so proud to have been part of your first half marathon. Big congrats to you guys!!!! (Jay - I was promised a chocolate donut at the finish.... I'm still waiting)

My crazy brave family who opted to leave the role of "spectator" this time around and move into the world of "volunteer", working at the 4-mile water stop. Sure you were covered in red gatorade by the end.... but... um.... yeah, I got nothing here. Thanks to you from me and the other 9,999 runners.

Justin, Jay, Celeste, and Vicky. My partners in crime. Who won the "who can high 5 the most uniformed officers" challenge, anyway? Vic - thanks for pinching me somewhere in Oakland and promising me that I'd at least remember that part of the marathon ... you were right, I do remember.

Sarah. Thank you for the one-second nap at mile 23, which I had been talking about since mile 19. Thank you for hugging me even though I was gross. Thank you also for the "keep running, bitch", without which I might actually have stopped running. Thank you for talking me down the night before and checking on me the day after. You're about the best there is.

The guy who tried to pick me up in Homewood. You kept us laughing for at least 3 miles. For that, I thank you... creep show.

Having captured that, I'm ready for the polish remover. I'll try not to make it another 2-month hiatus.

Have some coffee with me?

2009-02-19T08:58:00.001-05:00

Haven't been by in awhile, sorry about that. Here's something to tide everyone over, a cup of coffee, on me:

43 and 44

2009-01-20T23:27:00.010-05:00

When I wake up tomorrow morning, I'm pretty sure it won't have been a dream. The Steelers will still be President and Obama is still going to the Superbowl!!!! Oh wait, that was a dream....

Most days, my lack of eloquence doesn't really bother me - I'm cool with being kinda clunky and a bit verbose - but today, I wish I could express how cool this is. The media is trying, really, but they're so trite and cheesy. Blah blah historic, yadda yadda photosynth. I guess I feel better that they're having trouble coming up with the words as well. I can't wait to read what everyone else has to say, but in the interim, here's the chrisequiousidity of the day:

There are so few fresh starts in life, and maybe this isn't even one of them, but it sure feels like it. I sat there and watched the Bush family get on a helicopter and head back to Texas - I think I felt the physical weight being lifted from our collective psyche. Did you?? It's the end of a horrible relationship. No more cringing through speeches, no more undeserved arrogance, no more Old West platitudes being passed off as policy - Does this mean the Dixie Chicks can come back??

And how cute was it when he flubbed the oath a little bit?? Seriously - could it have made the moment more real, could he be more human? I'm gushing, I know, I need to a little bit. We'll get serious tomorrow. Today, we celebrate! Today, we are cheesy and trite and dance in the streets. What? The dancing is for the Steelers? We'll take that as well.

GO STEELERS!! GO OBAMA!!!!

Trifecta

2009-01-15T21:31:00.020-05:00

So, I'm pretty sure the following three things have never appeared together in a single blog post before now: Sesame Street Live, Pierogie pizza, Frigid 5-miler. Come on, find them anywhere else together; I dare you.
So last Thursday, the wonder parents and I took Cheezeball to see Sesame Street Live. That was great and all, but we went out for dinner beforehand. That wouldn't be noteworthy had it not also been Cheezy's first experience with fried cheese:

He just couldn't quite get it. Sesame Street live did not disappoint. I feared for my life going into this whole debacle - I don't really get kids. BUT, those muppets did the impossible: they kept an arena full of 2-8 year olds mesmerized for more than 6 minutes. More than 60 minutes, actually:

Amazing. Carson got to hug Elmo - shame that he reached the pinnacle of all things wonderful at such a young age. Here's hoping the rest of his life isn't anticlimactic now ;).

Saturday brought a delicious dinner out with a bestest friend that managed to incorporate two of my very favoritest foods, pierogies and pizza, into one fantastic concoction. Um.. not sure that I have much else to say about that, but damn does it bode well for the uniqueness of the trifecta, plus it was a really fun night out.

Sunday - the frigid 5-miler. All I can say about this is: brrrr. It certainly lived up to it's name. Temps in the low 20s, a ridiculously hilly course and ice galore. Finished though, and did partake of the pancake breakfast awarded us for surviving. Should also be mentioned that this race officially kicked off.... MARATHON TRAINING!!!! That's right, 16 weeks until the triumphant return of the Pittsburgh Marathon. Somebody is going to need to remind me how excited I am about it sometime in March or early April.... throwing that out there now.

Not part of the trifecta, but it's freakin' freezing here! High is about 5 tomorrow. I have some fleece jammies and some hot chocolate that say I'm not schlepping into work tomorrow! Snow day for this girl!

Score one for 30

2009-01-05T10:46:00.004-05:00

As any runners in the audience will know, my turning 30 put me in a new age category race-wise. Saturday was my first such outing with the larger than life 30 in bold print right there on my bib. Ouch.

So guess what? This chickie placed second in that brand new age group of hers. Sure, it wasn't with the fastest of times, and sure it was a smaller field (only a few hundred runners), but still... it's some hardware for something other than finishing without dying.

Next weekend is the frigid 5-miler. Who's in?

Recap

2009-01-02T12:06:00.002-05:00

I'm spending today reading a lot of retrospectives on 2008. I'm not really into reminiscing, so I'm going to put my 10010 10100 brain to work and just make you a list, the good with the bad, in no particular order, of the top 10 things that happened last year in my life. By "top 10", I mean the first ten things that occur to me to write ;)

I got a brand new, kick ass little brother
We welcomed Madigan and Andrew
I managed to stay in one apartment for more than 6 months
I ran another marathon, badly
I raised a crap ton of money for the LLS
I got to visit both Boston and Seattle for the first time ever
I got dumped for a blonde
We lost our beloved Kathy and our Uncle Bob (and our Myron and our Chip)
I turned 30, my friends helped with that
We all got a brand new, kick ass President

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, 2009.

Better Things (I have no idea what the hamsters are all about, but it's the theme song anyway)

Shut Out!!

2008-12-29T18:45:00.005-05:00

Apologies to the Cleveland expats I call friends, but for this 'Burgh gal, there is nothing better than a good old routing of the Brownies. This year, I was lucky enough to be in attendance, good stuff.

If the score (*ahem* 31-0) wasn't enough to put a smile on your face, there is my favorite part of being at the game - you can't get this watching at home:

Just in case it isn't immediately clear what's happening in this photo, whenever the Steelers are within 20 yards of the end zone - "the red zone" - the two giant bottles of Heinz ketchup atop the scoreboard tip and create the scene you witnessed above. Favorite. part. of. the. game. Enjoy.

Playoffs start January 11th, mark your calendars now!

Peace

2008-12-24T10:39:00.003-05:00

Happy Christmas to all. May you survive the weather and crazy families and endless food and all the other joys of the holiday season. It'll all be over soon *grin*.

The Universe Celebrates my 30th

2008-12-15T17:04:00.009-05:00

I would like to personally thank the Powers the Be, Karma, and any other entity who had any hand in the two fantastic gifts the cosmos presented to me on the occasion of my 30th birthday - this:

and this:

Happy Birthday to me!

Womyn

2008-12-07T22:12:00.015-05:00

Every once in a while, the universe seems to know that I need a little extra and this past week, it sent me a very strategic, early birthday present, with the help of the many fantastic woman in my life.

First I find out that my two bestests from college will be making the journey for my 30th. I imagine I'm not the first to be less than thrilled at entering my third decade - but in one fell swoop, these two have made me look forward to it like nothing in recent memory. I. Am. So. Excited.

Then, I got the most amazing bit of introspection from one of my favorite moms; she turned my whole attitude around in approximately 2 sentences. Remarkable.

Finally, happy hour with some of the bravest and funnest women I've ever met. My TNT gals have all accomplished some amazing things in the past few months and I am so proud to count myself among them. We had the most wonderful kind of ridiculous fun the other night, which parlayed right into the most ridiculous and fun 5K the next morning. Love you guys!!

Thank you to you all; for better or worse, I wouldn't be the Chrisie I am without all of you.

All smiles, as it should be:

"Knitted Bag"

2008-11-25T00:10:00.008-05:00

It will go down in history as the worst, most terribly and awkwardly knitted article ever... but I made it and it's the greatest (and only) thing I've ever made:

The picture really doesn't do it justice. It's really, really bad. It makes me laugh every time I look at it. I see how the end is 11 stitches wider than the beginning... because over the course I picked up 11 stitches... it seems physically impossible to me to invent stitches out of thin air, but I've been assured it happens. I also see the dropped and otherwise jacked up stitches where Oedipuss wanted to be sure and leave his mark (and pull the entire work off the needles on more than one occasion). I also see the middle part where I mixed up a knit and a purl and may have invented a new stitch.

Suck it, rainy November.

(Here's a pic from the book, in case you were wondering what it is supposed to look like):

Yeah, I don't get the whole "cable" thing... or the "seed stitch" thing...

Travel apparently makes me angsty

2008-11-18T03:24:00.000-05:00

I feel I need a disclaimer. I don't mean for this post to be as bad as it likely reads, and I'm not feeling sorry for myself, it's just an unexamined part of my life that I'm trying to get a better understanding of... on the web in this most public of forums.... because I hear that's how it's done. ;)

In the past 10 days, I have been in three time zones, five states, six cities and on eight flights. No, I am not touring with Pearl Jam (though Seattle is one of the cities).

I hate traveling (for work) - Yet I've been on the road more than I've been home lately. This thought occurred to me on my 7am flight this morning. Thought I loathe it, i'm now the office road warrior... and much of it is by choice.

It used to be that I refused to travel. When I was in a relationship, I hated being away and would risk much to ensure I wasn't. One of my greatest anxieties has always gone something like this: "I only have a certain number of days on this planet, and no one is promised tomorrow". Therefore, why would I want to waste even one of those numbered days alone in a hotel room when I had so much at home and someone with whom no number of days would ever be enough? It was something I could never reconcile... so I drew a line in the sand and was completely prepared to take a career hit for it. I felt like I had my priorities completely in order.

Needless to say, life is much different now. Whereas I used to hurry home from the airport, or better yet, have a ride waiting for me and more than willing to stop at the Mad Mex nearest the airport for a fantastic reunion meal, now I dwaddle at the airport because I know I'm going home to an empty apartment. Do I mind that? Yes, immensely. But why? I used to love living by myself, and I do have a comfy bed, a loyal, loyal cat and usually a Tivo full of House, Law and Order and M*A*S*H to catch up on. Those are all thing I look forward to. Maybe it's the other things it still takes me away from; last week it was a TNT alumni meeting and a Happy Hour to catch up with my running buddies. This week it is running the lights, one of the greatest parts of the holiday season. I guess that while I appreciate Hugh Laurie and half price drinks, neither of them make me want to rush home from the airport.

So if there is a takeaway in all of this (too many meetings) - I guess it's to try and get excited for the next thing that's going to make me want to stay... which is kind of a cool thought.

Potty Humor

2008-11-16T13:44:00.006-05:00

Last time I was in Seattle, I had many lovely things to say about the fair city. This trip, I have found something even lovelier:

Seattle is a very green city. Lots of LEED certification, lots of recycling, lots of composting, not a lot of paper cups to be had. NOW, they have smart toilets. Up for #1, down for #2. Genius. How would you like to be the one tasked with writing this sign (found in a public restroom): "push the handle in the direction which best suits your needs". Suits your needs? I also appreciate the inclusion of the #1 and #2 as clarification, in case "liquid waste" and "solid waste" were unclear to some people.

I'm off to Texas next week, you can bet I'll be reporting on the potty situation in the Lone Star State, stay tuned.

Why Keith Rocks

2008-11-12T23:59:00.001-05:00

Tagged

2008-11-09T22:12:00.006-05:00

Margo tagged me. Here are the rules - list 6 things I value and 6 things I don't and then pass this award on to 6 people...

What I value:

1. My true true true friends
2. Finding an absolutely perfect song to fit your mood
3. The way I feel after a tough run
4. A really good conversation
5. Individuality in all its forms, including my ever-evolving definition of myself
6. pizza and vanilla ice cream with a huge dollop of peanut butter in it (not to be eaten concurrently)

What I don't Value:

1. Fashion
2. Traveling for my job
3. The flu on marathon day
4. Boredom
5. Having to put up a tough front when I'm totally not feeling it
6. Fast Runners =)

Now I'm supposed to pass it on. Alas, I don't know that many people who blog, or who read my blog, but:

Knitty
Matilda
Kendraspondence
Peter Lemonjello

Have at it. Or don't, that's cool too. I value the right to choose blog topics as well ;)

20 ounces

2008-11-04T11:20:00.002-05:00

This was not a good idea this morning, it's a large:

I'm freaking out, how about you??

Don't forget to vote!!

Marine Corps Marathon, Part 2

2008-10-28T20:08:00.007-04:00

I've decided to forgo the relating of the story of the marathon. It went; it certainly wasn't what I expected or was hoping for, but in the end, I have this to show for it:

AND, if that weren't cool enough, several times throughout the race, I was treated to this sight:

Yeah, that's right, not only did my family manage to make it to three different spots along the course, they were all sporting adorable "Go Chrisie Go" T-Shirts, it was pretty much the coolest thing ever.

So now it's on to the next thing, whatever that may be.

Marine Corps Marathon, Part 1

2008-10-27T19:13:00.019-04:00

I have a love/hate relationship with "Once a Runner", but this weekend can best be summed up in a quote (paraphrase really) from that book: "you can be so good, but then you have to be so lucky". (Thanks to Dev for those words, though not saving my weekend, they helped).

This was not a lucky weekend for me. I guess it all started Thursday morning at 3:55 AM. I was awoken from a glorious night of sleep to a cold. I woke up with a stuffy nose, a very sore throat and an achy body. I took some ibuprofen and a zinc and went back to sleep. I got up in the morning and went to work, feeling quite like crap, but having to go to work since I wouldn't be back in my office until the following Friday. So, I got everything done that I needed to, went home, and immediately crashed into my bed, still with nothing packed for marathon weekend. I get up that night and pack, not even sure I have everything, but lacking the energy to make sure. I set my alarm and go back to bed. Friday morning I'm to meet my team for the drive to DC. I get everything gathered and head to my car. Won't start. dead battery. A breakdown ensues. It was too much. Sick was one thing, but sick and with a dead battery for some reason I couldn't handle. Don't know if you've ever had a breakdown on a city street in a car at 7:30 on a Friday morning when you're sick.... but I can't really recommend it. It was awhile before I could even get it together enough to call AAA.

The guy who came to jump me could not have been nicer - he was a highlight of this miserable weekend. Here is an except from our conversation:

AAA guy: are you headed to work?

Me: If you can believe it *sniffle sniffle*, I'm running a marathon this weekend and I'm headed to monroeville to meet my team and I'm going to be late and and and....

AAA: Wow, I can't believe anyone can run 26 miles

Me: I can't believe you know that. Every time I tell my mom I'm running a marathon she says "and how long is this one"

AAA: well you have to get your mind on that race; I'll have you out of here in 2 seconds.

He was an angel. Kudos to the fine people at stuckert's auto body!

Meet the team, head to DC... no more major catastrophes. Meet up with Dev on Friday - for his birthday extravaganza (or as much of an extravaganza as I can produce with nothing at my disposal and whist sick). Friday also a highlight of the weekend, we had a fantastic night out in DC and got really really good pizza.

Saturday (while the rest of my team is relaxing and not leaving their hotel beds) I am to meet my family for a strategy session (where were they going to stand, where were we going to meet up afterward, etc etc). No location had been set for this so we decided to meet in Germantown.

Dear readers, there are two Germantowns in Maryland.

I won't tell you exactly how long it took us to establish that we were in cities over 50 miles apart, nor will I tell you some of the exchanges that were made upon said realization.... but I'll pause a moment to let you imagine how that might have gone.

So, there I am... already sick, freaking out about the marathon, and on the wrong effing side of the stupid state.

By the time I finally find my fam (in Silver Spring, which there IS ONLY ONE OF!!!), we barely have time to scarf down some soup at a Panera before I have to return so I can be back in time for the team meeting.

The rest of Saturday is survived but is rather a blur. I go to bed Saturday night sick as hell, but hopeful for a miracle recovery.

Tomorrow, the disaster that was my MCM race..... you're excited, I know.

If You're Gonna Play in Texas...

2008-09-16T10:29:00.007-04:00

... you gotta have a fiddle in the band.

I always bitch and moan about the state of Texas, but I had an okay trip there last week and feel it's important to highlight this trip, to avoid getting a reputation...

1. The rental car had XM. I've never really gotten into this whole satellite radio thing, I have an iPod and therefore want for nothing, music-wise. But I have to say, commercial free radio was good times. I found myself driving around just to listen to it (i need to find a Kinko's..... in Irving!)

2. DJ. A dear dear friend and former co-worker of mine whom I see far to infrequently. DJ was a fellow liberal in a company built on conservatism; a fellow tech geek in a land of engineers and was always and continues to be my corporate role model. He managed to work for a giant, potentially soul-stealing company while hanging on to his faith, his sense of self and was always the first to remind me that "we're not saving lives here". I miss him terribly in the day to day and am always grateful when I get to spend some quality time with him - he gives me perspective.

3. Pappasitos. Finally, I didn't have to eat at a steakhouse. Those always turning into meat-based pissing contents... people damn near kill themselves to see who can eat the biggest piece of meat. It happens every time. Pappasitos is a Mexican place and the cheese enchilladas were to die for (after I requested that they not put the meat sauce on top. Yup, it comes with a meat sauce.)

Hang in there, Texas, there may be hope for you yet. Blue would be a really good color on you, look into that.

An open letter to September

2008-09-14T15:15:00.005-04:00

Dear September,

First, let me say that I'm a big fan. Sure, you're no October, but I've always admired the way you are able to take us into Fall without really missing summer. You bring us Football, Homecoming, Hockey Training Camp and some all-star running.

All that being said: what the hell, September?? I survived the misery of August only to be bitch-slapped by you.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes are calling out to me but I can't enjoy them because it's still too damn hot. And the humidity... you're killing me! Recent runs have felt more Amazonian than Western Pennsylvanian. I'm still running my air conditioning (stupid 4th floor apartment).

Do us all a favor, kick in here and bring on some fall. I want some colorful leaves, some hoodie weather and some kick-ass runs, crunching through fallen leaves.

Sincerely Yours,

~Chrisie~

Ikea Half

2008-09-09T13:35:00.004-04:00

In eager anticipation of the Marine Corps Marathon next month, I ran the Ikea Half Marathon this past weekend.

The first thing to know about this whole thing is that I am a terrible racer. I so want to have that killer instinct, that ability to run until death is a reasonable possibility... but I just don't. Soooo, try as I might to look on the bright side, I'm still fairly disappointed with my time - I really really wanted to go sub 2-hours, but it was not to be. However, I still had a really good time with the TNT gang, as evidenced by the stolen pictures below:

Less than 7 weeks until the real thing. Oorah.

Also - anyone looking for an excuse to come to Pittsburgh next spring...

Princess

2008-08-28T21:43:00.011-04:00

I'm the first to admit that I can be kind of hard on my sister. Truth is, I've never really understood and rarely find myself to be on her wavelength. My sister is the girl who never got over her love of pink (and I have a bubble-gum colored bridesmaid dress to prove it), loves to shop, actually wears fuzzy track suits (pink ones), hates to fly and flies off the handle at a moment's notice. She worries worries worries. Oh yeah, and she teaches kindergarten.

Now, I'm assuming that if you're reading this, we've met. I have a restraining order against the color pink, I wear the same clothes until they literally fall apart to avoid shopping for new ones, I am in the air at least a few times a month and a room full of 6-year old children is my recurring nightmare.

But back to my sister. She has always been the Princess, and this did not stop being true when she got married. I was concerned for her, concerned that as the adage goes, she was preparing to be a bride and not a wife. She's not much on compromise and she can be tough to please. She is perfectly at peace with her high maintenance level, I can only assume her husband (my beloved brother-in-law) has made his peace with this as well. Still, I worry for them.

My sister's mother-in-law passed away this week and I am writing this from Ohio where we will attend her funeral tomorrow. Tonight was the viewing and I have to say that I saw my little sister in a whole new light. She was a wife. She stood by her husband's side and greeted family and friends. She talked to the funeral director and made decisions for the family - for her family. She wasn't anyone's princess, she wasn't concerned one bit with herself, only with her husband and her family. I was so very proud of her.

On a lighter note, this is my very favorite picture from her wedding, I feel it captures our relationship beautifully:

Love you Princess!

Happy Hour!

2008-08-27T10:06:00.017-04:00

I haven't felt like blogging lately - I'm in one of those ruts where nothing about my life seems worth even typing out. I can't seem to get anything to rise above the level of.... of.... if I type "blah" here, will you know what I'm saying?? Can't seen to rise above blah.

The one exception to this, as it often is for me: running. Joining Team in Training continues to be one of the better decisions I have made in recent memory. I have been blown away on so many occasions by the generosity of people I do not know, or at least do not know well. When I got into it, I knew I could hit up family, close friends, and some people I've worked closely with for donations. However, I questioned whether or not that would be enough to get me to my goal ($100 for every mile of the marathon). I definitely didn't expect my message/request/plea to spread as far as it did; I have received donations from people with whom I have spoken to on the phone but never met, and people who I didn't realize they even knew who I was. In as non-trite a way as I can say it - I've been really inspired by the fundraising process and it's added a dimension to the running that I would never have expected.

As way of a slightly less esoteric TNT update, I offer you party pictures. I know, it doesn't look like we're preparing for a marathon in most of them, especially the ones in which I am stuffing my face with fried cheese sticks, but I assure you that we are. My fellow TNT-er Margo and I hosted a Happy Hour this past weekend to raise money for our marathoning endeavors:

Here is our happy hour crowd. We had a fantastic mix - parents, friends, co-workers, former hockey players, random Pittsburghers. It was really a happening scene. As if the chance to hang out with Margo and I weren't enough, we had some pretty sweet raffles to, including an autographed MARIO hockey stick!!

Here are your adorable hosts... even inadvertently sporting our hometown colors, we are such loyal Pittsburghers. Should you see Margo out and about, please thank her; she has more than once been the reason I have finished a long run.

We raised just under $1000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, all while enjoying my new favorite drink - mandarin and tonic. Look into it, it's delicious.

Go Team!!!

Bluetooth or Crazy

2008-08-10T18:13:00.003-04:00

After running a very long, very slow 16 miler today, then promptly falling asleep, the only thing not cramped up on me today are my fingers and since I cannot watch any more olympic handball, I will tell you about the game I made up. It's called "bluetooth or crazy" and the rules are very simple. When you see someone walking down the street talking to themself, you have to guess if they're wearing a bluetooth, or just crazy. It's a fun game. It's also a very different game depending on if I am at home or at work. I work downtown, so in that case, it's often "bluetooth". However, I live in the finest ghetto in Pittsburgh (thank Kendra) and when I'm there.... well, it's anyone's guess.

I invite you to try it out and see if it doesn't make your people watching adventures that much more exciting.

Also, on an entirely different note, this is the funniest thing I've seen all day:

1013

2008-07-29T10:36:00.006-04:00

You can't imagine how excited I was for the X-Files movie. I was an X-Phile before it was cool to be an x-phile (okay, okay, it was never cool). I know everything about that show - go ahead, quiz me. I know everyone's birthdates, death dates, licence plate numbers, badge numbers - I know about every storyline, every character, ever bit of black ooze ever conceived of by Chris Carter. My email address is the production company responsible for the creation of the x-files (you always wondered about that, I'm sure).

Oh my stars was that movie bad. I refused to listen to the critics; I put my fingers in my ears, sang quietly to myself and thought "they aren't real fans, they just don't understand the complex nature of the franchise like I do, how could they like it?". Friends, I could not have been more wrong. I suppose there's no point in getting into exactly what all was terrible about this movie, but let me at least pick a few things that I found to be particularly hideous:

No lone gunmen. Yeah, I know, nothing.
Not even the hint of any conspiracy. That's bush league, Carter, bush league!!
I knew what was going on the entire time. There wasn't a single episode where I knew what was going on the entire time, that's not the x-files!! I except to be thoroughly confused and feel slightly dumb.
Skinner had a cameo? Are you kidding me? It was a pointless cameo at that, he didn't even bring anything to the table - not that he had much to work with....
Scully and Mulder - they toyed with the idea of them being together brilliantly for 8 seasons.... then they got together and broke up more times in this movie than I did with my 5th grade boyfriend. Ugh.

I'll bet Krycek is somehow behind all of this....

Boilermaker

2008-07-17T11:34:00.006-04:00

I ran the Boilermaker this past weekend. You may recall I had some lofty goals heading into the weekend. So where to begin....

...I guess you have to begin with the beer. The Boilermaker is hosted by Saranac beer (The F.X Max Brewing Company, actually). Some races have mile markers... this race had signs that read "you're only x miles away from the beer". Nice. Also, no finishers medal, no t-shirt.... just a pint glass as a runner's gift. Again, nice. Here are some other notables, in no particular order:

Team Meat. I have no idea what was up with these people, but there were a whole crew of people with giant slabs of steak on their shirts - I definitely drafted off of one of them for a good mile. When I finally passed her, I wanted to let her know that she'd been towing a vegetarian, but I refrained.
I beat the Governor of New York.
The crowd was crazy; there were people drinking and grilling and otherwise rocking out... all at 8:00 am. that is one dedicated town.
I would like to send a personal thank you to all the homeowners who came out with garden hoses to help us on our way... mucho appreciato.
I would not like to thank the person who gave me the pina colada flavored popsicle around mile 6. Just kidding, it was my fault, not yours.

In the end, I didn't make my time; there was a screw up with the chips so I don't know my exact time, but it was 1:23:something. I'm okay with that.

Thanks to my parents for making the 6+ hour trip with an almost 3-year-old in tow to watch me run for less than an hour and a half. Hope the free beer afterward was worth it. You're champs!

Dr. Horrible

2008-07-15T11:32:00.000-04:00

Why you haven't talked to me

2008-06-19T14:40:00.006-04:00

If you can believe it, the loss of my beloved Chippy hardly makes the top of the list of terrible things happening lately. In fact, his passing was but the cherry on the crap sundae that has been my June. I've had a hard time trying to write about it because I try to keep my blog light, if a little bitchy at times and some pretty serious stuff has been going on. So, I will try to capture it without trying to make it quirky or funny and without bumming everyone out too much.

First and worst of all is that my darling brother-in-law's mother has been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer - glioblastoma. It is pretty much the scariest thing ever - there are no genetic links to it and it has no yet been traced to any environmental causes (smoking, cell phone use, etc.). Nobody knows why you get it!!! Anyway, she is going through speech and physical therapy now and will start radiation soon.

The same week that we got this terrible news, my sister and brother-in-law's (yes, the same brother) house was hit by a tornado. *insert munchkin joke here*. They are both fine, but Princess was alone when it hit, as brother was in Ohio with his family. They had to wait just to get an insurance adjuster because of the amount of damage caused in their area, but the house will be fine once everything gets sorted it.

My adorable little brother has not been spared by June either. He was holding a routine chatter-fest with my dad after a session of lawn-mowing when he gestured wildly about something and hit his hand off the still-hot lawnmower. Ouch!! He burnt his little hand fairly badly and spent some time in the pediatric burn unit. Oy. He's doing better now and has started to use it again and is back to modified hockey playing, so that's perhaps a ray of light.

Lastly, my pretend grandmother (she's not technically mine, but next time her family isn't looking, I'm stealing her because I adore her so much) had a nasty run-in with the ground and broke a hip. This led to an unpleasant hospital stay and much pain. She also has been released from the hospital but is slightly worse for the wear. Gets harder to shake things off at 89 I'd imagine. Still, she's about the toughest cookie I know, plus, she's Irish. She's golden.

*sigh*

All that being said, if you celebrated a birthday, anniversary, birth of a child or other event in June, I likely missed it completely. I'm sorry for that. I hope you had a great birthday, a happy anniversary, your child is adorable and so on and so forth.

Hopefully I'll be back soon with some happier news. Until then, keep Kathy, Grandma and family in your thoughts and hug everyone you love. You just never know.

Necessary Hedgie Pic

2008-06-17T10:04:00.005-04:00

Little Chippie Hedgehog has died. I buried him in the backyard next to Potato. I’m sure they are somewhere now rolling their hedgie eyes over the stupid names I gave them. Chip is survived by the girl who fed him (chrisie), the black monster (Oedipuss), the builder of forts (Devon), and his hedgie companion (Russet). He will be missed terribly by the girl, but not so much by the black monster – who always secretly knew Chip was eating *his* food.

Chip enjoyed cottage cheese and hoodie pockets. He liked to play in forts and torment the black monster (from the safety of his cage). He was known as an adventurer, often forging new trails into the unknown territory under the couch and behind the TV.

Penguins on bikes

2008-05-29T06:14:00.001-04:00

So many things of note, so few actual blog entries. This one is about 2 months old: I got my bike back!! You may remember something about the bikenapping of poor bikey a while back. So how about this - let me take you back to PA Primary election day '08. I was driving back to cranberry to stand at the polls and yell at republicans (not really) when my dear dear friend Emily calls to tell me that she and her beloved have spotted bikey on.... wait for it.... CRAIGSLIST. Yup, the brain trust that took my bike - in Pittsburgh - tried to sell it - in Pittsburgh. For those of you not familiar - it's a small city. So I call the cops, convince them to join me on my sting operation, and set up an appointment to purchase my dear bike. It. was. crazy. I IDed bikey and next thing I know badges and handcuffs are being whipped out of nowhere and that was that. Bikey is down some pedals, but other than that seems no worse for the wear. He and Bikey II seem to be getting along swimmingly.

What else has happened that I've likely failed to mention to everyone....

OH YEAH... the PENGUINS ARE IN THE STANLEY CUP FINALS!!!! Sadly, I was in Dallas for the game tonight, but managed to convice a whole bunch of Stars fans (and one stubborn Ranger fan) to get behind my boys. Hockey truly brings people together. I know you're wondering, and I can't really explain what happened in the first two games... lulling them into a false sense of security I guess, but we're on our game now and the Red Wings should be shaking in their little space boots.

I was camping all weekend and am now in Dallas, so if you've sent me messages or otherwise tried to get a hold of me (Pete) I will be in touch, promise.

Here's to Lord Stanley!! Game 4 - Saturday!!

Think Purple!!

2008-05-09T12:33:00.005-04:00

I know, no updates for some time; I've been so busy I haven't had time to post to tell everyone how busy I am. However, the thing I am most excited about is this:

I joined Tean in Training!!!

Team in Training is the brainchild of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The basic premise is that you train for an endurance event (The Marine Corps Marathon in my case) and raise money for the LLS. A lot of money.

I know that most of you reading were friends with, or at least knew, Knapper. We lost her nearly 2 years ago to AML, a form of Leukemia. I would like to run this event and raise this money to honor her memory, and to honor and support everyone who is fighting a blood cancer.

If you'd like to support me, you can here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wpa/corps08/cambrass, but what I think I'll need is the other kind of support - good thoughts, good wishes and a well-placed "GO Chrisie". Those can be left on my fundraising page as well, or thought anytime between now and October.

"Put little bit water on my forehead"

2008-04-17T09:37:00.010-04:00

The title is what Carson will tell you if you ask him what "Baptism" is. He practiced in the bathtub for a week beforehand. he picked out his own tie. He was promised pancakes afterward. He was so. excited.

Little Carson has four godparents and I don't think a one of us is actually Cathollic; however, everyone else seems to be fine with that, so I won't puzzle over it.... much.

The day of the Baptism arrives:

Carson is so excited, moreso for breakfast and his balloons, but still. We get to the church and show him the baptism pool thing... he's more interested in the Easter flowers. Okay, no problem. THEN, the priest walks in. The man, though very nice, was easily 6' 10:

Carson = scared to death. He starts saying, quietly and church-like at first, and the progressively louder "I don't want to go see him". Even after beinga assured that we would all be with him, he was still having none of it. Turns out, it was a good thing there were four of us, because it took all of us to hoist him over the pool/fountain thing while his original sin was deftly washed away.

Pancakes followed. Then, a party. Now, I don't remember my own baptism, but I have many little figurines, savings bonds and 10 different children's bibles to commerorate the occasion. My, how the times have changed. This kid got toys, stuffed animals, gift cards (savings bonds for his generation, I suppose) even a card that sings, and not a bible or ceremic cross in sight!

Carson by the end of the day:

8 Mile

2008-04-13T17:07:00.005-04:00

So my test worked. Check it out today. 8 mile long run. I registered for the Boilermaker this week. This is the first race where I am determined that my goal not simply be "to finish". I want to finish in 1:20. There, I said it. Now pretend I didn't.

All that being said, I'm leaving the log right there, over on the right-hand side. Don't let me slack. It'll be your fault if I don't race well. It will have nothing to do with me. (I can't see your face, are you buying this??)

I still owe a story about Carson's baptism, it includes a giant priest and multiple snow globes. Stay tuned.

This is a test....it is only a test

2008-04-12T13:12:00.005-04:00

I found a way to link in my running log, this is supposed to automatically update...

NOT a post about Carson's Baptism

2008-04-08T16:36:00.006-04:00

So, I wanted to blog about Carson's baptism this past Saturday. And I will. Unfortunately, I first have to report that someone has stolen bikey. Yup, that's right, he brought me faithfully to work yesterday, I tied him up carefully at the bike rack, and when I returned from yoga to head home..... nothing. the rack was empty. I immediately went into self-doubt mode: "did I even ride my bike to work today?" "Did I park it here?" Of course I rode my bike and of course I parked it there, I park it there every day, I have never parked anywhere else.

*Sigh*. I miss bikey. He was more than a bike... he was a friend. Okay, that's not true, he was just a bike. But he was a good bike. He got me to work every day. One time he got me to Meadville and then to Lake Erie, and he's gotten me all over Western PA (and parts of Ohio and Ottawa).

Whatchoo got, 3/20

2008-04-02T21:41:00.003-04:00

So it has officially been Spring for nearly two weeks now, but I rode my bike to work for the first time today and I officially have blisters on top of other blisters, IT'S SPRING!!!

Gross, huh? (Kind of awesome though too, right??)

The aforementioned "land of the living"

2008-03-31T22:20:00.016-04:00

Two most exciting of events to report today. The first is a hockey game, the second, a lecture.

Yesterday, my parents and I took Carson to his very first Penguins game. I waas terrified. Now, I loves me some hockey, and I don't get to go to games very often, so though I love cheezy dearly, I was afraid he would watch approximately five minutes of the game and then need to be otherwise entertained for the next 2 hours and 25 minutes. I could not be more wrong. he loved the game:

he loved the jumbotron, he loved the zamboni, he loved the music, he loved Iceburgh, he especially loved the nachos:

He clapped, he danced, he wooed the ladies. It was a great game (a win), I had twizzlers, my parents got to have a good time, what more could a Chrisie ask for?

I'll tell you....

Tonight, Anthony Bourdain. Man, I love this guy. I will admit, he took some time to grow on me but I'm convinced he's a genius. He's far more introspective and intelligent than I originally gave him credit for. My bad. His lecture was great, he talked on topics from Rachel Ray to Vietnam and managed to be funny and insightful about all of them. The only thing of note, other than Tony, were the boneheads in the crowd. STOP ASKING HIM TO GET A BEER WITH YOU. The man is cooler than you and doesn't want to hang out with you. Ugh.

Good times. Good times.

Hedgehog Taxonomy and Dr. Wang

2008-03-29T21:23:00.008-04:00

I've been hiding. I didn't really even realize it until recently, but I've been doing it for weeks. Lots of reasons, I suppose, but I was feeling particularly anxious, crazy, drained, and a little beat down... not necessarily in that order.

I think at first it was a good thing, I needed the chance to... how to say this with the least amount of hippy overtones... reconnect? Find some inner strength? Remember myself? Yeah, there's no good way to say it, it was kind of a hippy thing. Sometimes I do that. Anyway, it got out of hand. I stopped doing everything: blogging, gChatting, emailing, calling, running, enjoying things, and eventually, even leaving my apartment. Whoa. Luckily, I think I'm on my way back to the land of the living.

I threw an impromptu party Friday night, and who knew, it was exactly what I needed. I invited everyone I know over (everyone in the same state, that is) and had a crazy Rock Band party. It has been so long since I have felt a part of something, felt loved. It was great. And even if we never got through "Green Grass and High Tides", and even if my snack food offerings sucked (I told you it was impromptu), a good time, much beer and many almonds were had by all.

Today, I ran. Outside. Five miles. It was beautiful. I think I needed to prove to myself that I can make my own heart beat faster. =) I feel so so strong when I run, even when I'm slow and out of breath.

So, I'm back. I'm taking Carson to his first Pens game tomorrow and will be playing the role of Godmother at his baptism next week... Updates to follow.... slightly less esoteric ones, I promise.

... and you don't even have to cross the street

2008-03-05T13:34:00.018-05:00

I am in Seattle this week for the Microsoft SharePoint conference. I must say that although I have not heard any Pearl Jam, didn't get to see the Space Needle, and amazingly have only had one cup of Starbucks coffee (tastes fresher here) I am enjoying myself.

The plane rides to get here were harrowing. First a flight to DC then a 2-hour layover. THEN, a 9.5 hour flight from DC to Seattle, via Phoenix (it was like a bus, we landed, people got on and off, but I didn't get to leave the plane). Ugh. I watched "Million dollar baby".. THREE TIMES!! Don't show that movie on the plane, people, there aren't enough kleenex around! I thought the movie was sad, until I started talking to a guy who lost both legs in Iraq in 2006. Amazing guy, won't get into it, but he's having a hell of a time. If nothing else, he solidified for me that opposing the war IS supporting the troops, and if one more person tells me I'm disrespecting the troops and minimizing their sacrifice by opposing the war, they can expect a deeply felt reply. You've been warned. =)

The flights were otherwise uneventful.

The conference is a conference: lots of speeches, even more sales pitches, lots of tchotchkes, schwag... call it what you will, I'm bringing home six million pens, three bottle openers, two frisbees and a dozen or so golf tees. I love vendors!! Oh, and since it's a Microsoft conference, I got to meet this guy:

The highlight of the conference, for me, was the keynote speaker: Greg LeMond. Did you know he was shot before winning the Tour de France? I did not. They're raffling off a few LeMond bikes, keep your fingers crossed for me.

Oh, the title. I was also speaking with a native about the whole Starbucks phenomenon and he assured me that in Seattle - you do not have to cross the street to get to a Starbucks. In my limited travels through the city, I have not yet been able to disprove this statement. No kidding.

So, the hotel. I'm staying at "W Seattle". This place is so hip it doesn't even have a name, just a letter. I swear Dracula is staying here. There are no lights in the lobby/registration desk/bar... only candles. Seriously:

The hallways are lit by eerie blue lights:

My room contained a $28 bottle of water, a selection of relaxation CDs and a "Whatever" button on my phone which when I pushed it a voice answered with "good evening Miss Ambrass, what can I do for you". Whoa. This certainly must mean that the dream I had was true and I am, in fact, a rock star. Now if my entourage would just show up....

I'm out on the red eye tonight (coach class, so much for the rock star), bound for a layover in Charlotte tomorrow then home. Only to leave again on Saturday for visits with friends in Boston. (there are not words to describe how excited I am for that... but that's another blog). For now, I will continue to pretend to pay attention to the breakout session on "Governance and Administration" and look forward to one more Starbucks before heading for home. I'm sad to be leaving, we simply do not have views like this in Pittsburgh:

"This is Myron Cope, on sports"

2008-02-27T22:17:00.010-05:00

That's how Myron Cope ended every broadcast that I can remember. He died today and I believe I am safe in saying that my city's heart is collectively broken. This whole city mourns on Monday mornings after a Steeler loss, you should have seen it today.

My entire life I watched Steeler games with the TV volume off and the radio on - my dad and grandfather loved him. He has the most grating voice you have ever heard and Pittsburgh COULD NOT get enough of him. Everything he said was gold. I think he drove members of my generation kind of crazy, but even if you hated him, you loved him.

In 1976 he swam the Mon river (in DECEMBER) to make good on a bet and he is the only broadcaster in the football hall of fame.

Myron Cope brought us the terrible towel. Please tell me that you know what the terrible towel is... please??

He invented the towel - but the story behind it is that Myron gives all money raised from the sale of towels, over 2 Million to day, to an Autism school in Western PA. He has been doing this for over a decade now. very quietly.

If you don't know of him, there is no way for me to capture him.

I can only say that talking about him today has brought back many wonderful moments from my childhood. He encapsulated so many things that I love about this city - generosity, humor, devotion to our Steelers, loyalty, passion, brutal honesty and a fair amount of chutzpah.

How exactly do you hang a terrible towel at half mast? Yoi.

10:00

2008-02-20T09:00:00.001-05:00

I honestly can think of few things as intimate to me as my running log. Is that weird? I think that's weird.... I would sooner show someone my scale reading or my diary or my eighth grade school picture than my running log.

I am acquainted with an above-average number of really really good runners... we're talking olympic trials material, so me and my 10:00 minute miles are easy discouraged.

Not any more!!

I'm reclaiming my slowness!

the other day I bumped the treadmill up to level 2 (9:05.. with an incline!!) and I was so stoked... then I stopped and realized that speed was still a joke to most other runners I know and my bubble was quickly burst. That's crap!! It was damn fast for me.

That doesn't mean I don't want to be faster, I'm not taking my 5K time off of my 101 list, but I also won't bad mouth myself for my speed, regardless of what it is.

I'm feeling so good about it, I may try and find a way to link my running log into this blog... how's that for accountability?

Stay tuned... I have a feeling this isn't the end of this particular rant...

President's Day Rant

2008-02-18T11:31:00.004-05:00

Since I've been ranting more than blogging lately, I decided to at least give running a break and rant about politics for a bit. It's President's Day and seems somehow fitting. I'm also off work today and have lots of time for CNN and Anderson Cooper (I wonder if he ever calls Rawley Valverde or Lisa Ling to talk about the good old days in the "hacienda").

Since I live in Pennsylvania and we obviously don't care about politics, we haven't bothered to hold our primary election yet. This means I haven't yet had to decide for whom I shall cast my vote.

I'm still waiting for one the candidates... any of them really... to come through with some actual information. I'm so sick of everyone standing up and saying "fix the economy, fix education, fix healthcare".

HOW??? I want to see your plan. I want numbers, I want pie charts, I want details. We let our candidates off too easily. We let them off with lip service and empty promises and we focus on things like how many times they cried or what they did when they were 18. We let ourselves get caught up in the nonsense, just like they want us to, and we forget about everything that's important.

I demand more! I demand to know not just that you're going to fix it, but how you're going to fix it. nobody is going to stand up there and say "I have no intention of doing anything about healthcare". So they aren't really saying anything useful by promising to fix it.

Where is Ross Perot when you need him? Say what you want, but the man went on TV in a half hour special, and went through every aspect of our government, explained what was wrong with it, and FURTHER EXPLAINED HOW HE WANTED TO FIX IT. Come on, the man had pie charts!! We need more pie charts!!

Marine Corps Marathon II

2008-02-15T09:47:00.001-05:00

In an attempt to not be full of $h1t, I am working on some follow through to this post.

Though there are many things I love love love about Larryville, my inability to run after work (in the dark) is not one of them. I have used this as an excuse to not run for far too long.

I joined a gym. It is only a few blocks from my office and I try to get there everyday. So far, i'm averaging about 3 days a week.... but i'm running again!!!

Running is my single favorite activity and yet it is so easy for me to get away from. That never ceases to boggle my mind. I have never ever return from a run thinking "man, why did I do that?" I always feel great, it makes me feel less anxious and happier and.... the list goes on really, but I still make excuses to not do it.

So why am I telling you all of this? Accountability, my friend. It's new and fun now, but can I make it more than a few weeks? If I keep talking about it, I feel I have a better shot. So stay tuned, and if you don't hear me talking about the miles I'm logging... call my bitch ass out!! =)

1 TB

2008-02-11T08:52:00.001-05:00

I need a moment for a short, but necessary geek rant.

*begin geek moment*

One Terabyte. That's how much you can (and roomie did) buy in exteral storage. Don't tell anyone, but My inner-geek just died and went to Seattle.

One Terabyte is exactly 1000 Gigabytes. Does anyone else remember when there was no way in the world civilization would ever need more than ONE GIGABYTE?? It happened, I remember.

One Terabyte. It doesn't even sound real. It sounds made up. Oh, friends, I can assure you: it is very real:

Dost thine eyes deceive thee? NO! You saw correctly:

One Terabyte. Do you know what you can store on one terabyte? You could store 262,144 songs. Or 56,21,684 Documents. Or 1,062,059 Photos. The possibilities are endless when you have, at your disposal, One Terabyte of storage.

Do you know what is bigger than a Terabyte? It's a Petabyte. Yup, 1000 Terabytes is a Petabyte. After that we have Exabytes, Zettabytes and Zottabytes. It's true, I'm not making this up.

One Terabyte. Just imagine.

*end geek moment*

Thank you for your indugence.

Messin' With Texas

2008-02-06T11:56:00.001-05:00

Greetings, ya'll, from (not so) sunny Dallas. I again find myself in this land of steakhouses and fake succulents and am still lamenting this state's forcable separation of me from my bed.

I am here to facilitate a training session about our corporate university. My presentation is one hour. Yup, sixty minutes required me getting out of my warm and toasty bed and away from my warm and toasty beloved at FOUR AM and will prevent me returning until after midnight (and that's only if everything goes well with my flight situation... I HATE being on the last flight out of the evening, but that's another story).

Sure, it was my choice to make the 3 hour flight twice in one day instead of just staying here a night or two. But, I ask you: have you ever been to Dallas?? If so, I think that question answers itself.

So I'm off, to deliver my soul-numbing power point (not that it's a bad power point, per se, but it is still power point) and my slightly less soul-numbing scavenger hunt and anxiously await the baording of my flight back to the homeland. While not presenting, I will pass the time by passing out mini snickers to people I find interesting and trying all of the creamer flavors on the beverage cart (Did I mention that my day started at FOUR AM!?!?!)

There's no place like home, ya'll.

Madigan Joelle

2008-02-02T22:21:00.000-05:00

Anyone needing to see the most beautiful baby to come along in some time should promptly head over to www.kendraspondence.com and say hello to Madigan Joelle. While there you can also read the engaging tale of how Wee Lee kept her momma on her toes even from the womb.

Beautiful.

Love and blessings to Kendra and John.

Baby Brother

2008-01-25T13:18:00.000-05:00

*horn fanfare*

Without further ado, I would like to announce the arrival of my "new" baby brother. Though he has been with us for over two years now, my parents officially adopted Carson today.

In one bang of the judge's gavel, my sister became a middle child and I went from older to oldest. I feel it's an honorary title, but still.

To Commemorate the occassion, some of my favorite things about Carson:

He gives me an excuse to build forts in the family room and eat pickles and cheese for lunch.
At night he sings the "ABC" song until he falls asleep.
He used to call me "Spiderman" because I taught him the "Itsy bitsy Spider" song and he had a stuffed Spiderman doll that sang the same song.
He's like a parrot; he'll repeat back anything you say. Anything. It's hilarious.
He likes The Shins almost as much as I do. I use it to sing him to sleep all the time.

Must send non-sappy love to my parents. It is a remarkable thing they have done and I am monumentally proud of them and hope that I have inherited even a small portion of their capacity to love.

The hearing was unceramonious and yet exciting. Some lawyer gibberish, some paper signing and lots of gavel banging. Then, the presentation of the stuffed Elmo doll by the judge to Carson. It was very sweet.

A delicious lunch followed at one of my very favorite places.

Welcome from the bottom of my heart to my new little brother!

101 in 1001

2008-01-16T22:07:00.001-05:00

Okay, Knitty, I'm in.

The point is that you make a list of 101 things you want to do and then you do them in 1001 days. I shall not belabor the point, full details here: http://www.triplux.com/dayzero/.

My list:

Run the Marine Corps Marathon (why start small??)
Go vegan for a week
Run a sub 21:00 5K
See Maine
See Seattle
Complete a sprint triathlon
Be excited to turn 30
Read "Infinite Jest"
Make a scrapbook for Carson
Become a certified ASL translator (may not be able to finish, but would like to have started)
Take my parents to a Penguins game
Publish a paper in a refereed journal
Cook dinner for myself every night for a week
Go to Italy and eat and bike and eat and bike (repeat as time permits)
See Pre's Rock
Throw a pot on a wheel (am I even saying that correctly???)
Visit Shakespeare's grave
Buy a home (*gulp*, this is getting serious)
Go on an honest-to-goodness picnic (checked tablecloth optional)
Eat bagels in Ottawa
Buy myself japa mala beads
Use aforementioned beads to find a mantra I can use when anxious
Keep aforementioned beads with me to remember that I have it within myself to be peaceful and calm, regardless of my surroundings
Go on a girls-only vacation
Eat/drink 3 servings of calcium every day
Try running in the morning at least 3 times
Learn to perl
Go camping with my dad
Attend a service at a UU church
Unplug my TV (and tivo) for one week. Repeat
Organize my photos (pitch the blurry ones, you won't miss them!!!!) =)
Go out to breakfast on the weekends more often
Run a marathon as part of Team in Training (see #1)
Make a will
Talk to a financial advisor
Qualify for Boston
Teach Carson to ride a two-wheeler

Well, I was going to wait until I had a complete list to post it, but I guess this will do for now. Suggestions are welcome.

Marine Corps Marathon

2008-01-15T19:21:00.000-05:00

10.26.08

I want to run it.

Now, as I sit here, typing this, from my bed, I have just received confirmation that I have pneumonia and I haven't run in.... yeah, I think it can be counted in months at this point.

But still, I want to run it.

Moreover, I want to run it as part of Team in Training. Great organization, more on them later.

(Stay tuned)

"Crumby Weekend"

2008-01-07T10:08:00.000-05:00

Holden Caufield would have called this a crumby weekend. I am inclined to agree. My beloved transcendentalfish, Emerson, passed away this weekend. Dear Emerson began his fishy life in a drawer as a practical joke and has been with me for no fewer than four moves. He has been a constant in an otherwise tumultuous two years. He will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to "goldfish for Obama", a cause near and dear to Emerson's fishy heart. I tried to get him to at least hear Edwards out, but he refused.

As if the loss of my fish were not enough, the Steelers had to go and lose. And not just lose, but lose in a knock-out drag down fight to the death. The victory would have been sweet, my friends, it would have been sweet. It's amazing what one fourth down conversion can do to a city.... At least my Pens have a nice little winning streak going for them. There's a lot riding on you, Armstrong, you better not let me down.

The last straw, the very last straw, was the end of the pumpkin spice latte for the season. I know you're all feeling the same pain, so I won't belabor the details; I guess I should thank the vanilla latte for taking me back every year after I spend months cheating on it with a superior latte. Until next Fall, my dear pumpkin, fare thee well. (Apologies to Holden, I go and steal his sentiments, and I somehow doubt that he'd approve of my latte addiction, so I'll just throw that out there now).

A final note to those who love and care for me. When I die, please do not flush me down the toilet and then go out for pizza. Thank you.

Happy New Year!

My birthday gift to you all

2007-12-14T11:15:00.000-05:00

The Precautionary Principle

2007-11-29T09:34:00.000-05:00

I attended a lecture last night called "Making Prevention the Cure for Cancer". It was given by a very intelligent women, a scientist, who is the director of the University of Pittsburgh's Environmental Oncology Department. She offered some of her suggestions for reducing your environmental cancer risk.

I realize that every day someone is telling us that something else is bad for us, but this women is a scientist, a PhD, and has spent her life studying the correlation between cancer and environmental factors - good enough for me. She herself recognizes the onslaught of information about products that are bad for us, but explained to us her adherence to something called the precautionary principle. Briefly stated, her belief is: "it doesn't take a lot of data to convince me to be cautious". It is in that spirit that I now offer some of her suggestions*.

1. Plastics numbered 3, 6 and 7 are bad. Avoid them when possible and stick with 1,2,4 and 5.

2. Do not, under any circumstances, use Gladware (any plastic, really) in the microwave. "Microwave Safe" just means it won't melt, not that it won't leech toxins into your food.

3. Throw away your Nalgene (especially if, like me, you tend to wash it in the dishwasher) and buy a stainless steel bottle.

4. If you buy these items organically, you can reduce something around 90% of your exposure to pesticides and other nasties: Apples, Bell peppers, Celery, Cherries, Imported grapes , Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Raspberries, Spinach, Strawberries, meats, poultry, eggs, dairy, Broccoli, Cauliflower.

5. Watch out for too many members of the paraben family in your health and beauty products. Parabens are thought to be endocrine disrupters meaning that they disrupt cell function and reproduction - a known cause of both breast and ovarian cancer. A chemical in the Parabens family will usually have a methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, or propyl- prefix. They're in everything, but again, employing the precautionary principle, limiting them (or at least being aware of them) can't be a bad thing.

Also, she said the single best thing you can do for yourself (other than eating your crucifers), is to maintain a healthy immune system. Get enough antioxidants and don't stress out too much!! She said to keep a positive thought in your mind at all times. Cheezy, maybe, but she is a professional.

* Although she had data to back all of this up, I have no included it all here. If anyone finds anything to the contrary of what is here, please let me know...

Randy's Lecture

2007-11-02T15:04:00.001-04:00

Dr. Pausch is a professor at CMU who has terminal pancreatic cancer. He gave a "final lecture" at CMU recently and you need to watch it:

http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/multimedia/randy-pausch-lecture.shtml

Paperback Swap

2007-10-22T10:35:00.000-04:00

Under the cateogry "useful uses of the internet", please list: Paperback Swap. You sign up, you list books you want to swap, then for each book you send out, you get to request on. You do have to pay to ship the books media mail, but then when you request, the person sending it pays the shipping, so no money ever changes hands... it's the only place to get books cheaper than half.com. Genius!

Click here to sign up... for free, of course.

In the interest of full disclosure, I do get credit if you follow the link and sign up... so.... feel free to do so, then tell everyone you know because the more people who list books, the more books I can read. Yey books!! =)

A hockey night in Pittsburgh

2007-10-20T12:31:00.001-04:00

Five things I learned by attending last night's game betwixt the 'Canes and the Pens:

1. A hot pretzel and a root beer float are a perfectly balanced dinner.

2. Nobody has been able to master the wrap-around shot like Mario Lemeiux.

3. It took me awhile to "get" the following phrase, but once I did, it became the funniest referee heckling I'd ever heard: "Get off your knees, stripes, you're blowing the game!"

4. Cheerleaders simply do not work for hockey. Take note, Pen's Patrol

5. There is bad grammar EVERYWHERE...

... even on giant banners in the arena.

LET'S GO PENS!!!!

Brick Walkway

2007-10-08T01:58:00.000-04:00

I survived Homecoming.

Don't get me wrong, I was more excited about Homecoming than I likely will be for Christmas. I had a great time and am more grateful than ever for my friends, but still, it's hard.

Returning to Allegheny is like going home. Only, it's not my home anymore; it's somebody else's home and they've made it their own as much as I once made it mine. Though the attic of Brooks hall still bears my signature (along with some drunken proclamations), Someone else lives in my room, someone else has decorated the second mid lounge, and the fluffy couches that used to welcome me to GFC are long gone.

Beyond myself, there are weird green glass things on campus, "Cochran Hall" isn't called Cochran Hall anymore, and they now allow boys to live in Walker. The times they are a changin'.

Going back makes me homesick... but homesick for a place that doesn't exist. Even if I moved back to my room and decorated the lounge just as it was (Cathedral Purple, anyone?)... it still wouldn't be the same. Knitty doesn't live below me, I can't break into Pete's room, the path I wore over to Justin's room is long gone, Jay will not be on my couch when I wake up in the morning and Bekka won't be there for Sunday Brunch. I could read the duty log, but there wouldn't be any messages from Aubrey, Kendra, Melissa or anybody else in it.

What then, is home? What is it I'm missing? I know it's more than just the people, but whatever it is, I haven't figured out how to recapture or recreate it yet. I have not felt "at home" anywhere since leaving school, and I'm sure that's where my feelings of sadness and longing begin.

I think a lot of people go through that awkward, "homeless" phase between leaving college and starting their own lives, either with someone else or alone. You can move home after college, but your parent's house is just that... their house. It isn't yours anymore. You can rent an apartment, get a roommate or go on to graduate school... I tried them all, some of them several times, but none gave me a sense of "home".

I'm on my fifth apartment and seventh move since leaving college and I've yet to feel it. I'm getting closer though - I have a cat now.

Does it not start until you get married and begin your own family? When you buy a house? Get a dog? Have a child? I'm certain its none of those things. I'm certain its something that happens inside yourself that lets you know that you've found where you belong.

There is a beautiful brick walkway that connects Brooks Hall with North Main Street and the rest of campus. Standing on North Main looking down said walkway is one of my favorite views on campus. Here, see for yourself:

When discussing my feelings with a fellow alum, he said to me: "I'll bet people were pissed when they put in Brook's Walk - 'Stupid walkway, now I can't park my car there'".

Touche.

Purple Toe

2007-10-02T11:23:00.000-04:00

So, I ran a marathon in May. Stop laughing. It's true, I have pictures to prove it:

Ha! You didn't believe me, did you? Anyway, this particular post isn't really about the marathon, though I'm sure one will come, this one is about my toe. You can't really tell from the picture, but it rained most of that particular marathon. This meant that my socks got wet, which made them stick to my feet, which also meant that they got up under my toenail and pulled it off the bed, then kept it there for the four or so hours I was running... in the rain. The consequence of this is that my toenail died. It was awesome. Aside from my finisher's medal, it was my proudest moment coming out of the race. It was my battle wound.

It looked terrible. There was blood trapped under the nail and it turned all purple and gross. When people asked about the marathon, I had to but show them my toe; it seemed to tell the whole story: painful and gross, yet somehow amazing and cool.

I am sad to report that last night, at about 9:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time, purple toe* fell off.

Clearly this means that I need to sign up for another marathon. Who's with me?

* by "purple toe", I do just mean my toenail, not my entire toe, but "purple toe" has a much nicer ring to it than "purple toenail", don't ya think?

I'd like to see this in a different size..

2007-09-28T16:26:00.000-04:00

I have lost my ability to shop for clothes.

I don't really like clothes shopping that much to begin with, but now, I can't even do it without a trusted friend or a how-to manual. Clothes used to be easily identifiable. This is a shirt. These are a pair of shorts. This is a skirt. Also, each piece of clothing had a purpose: a sweater is worn over something and keeps you warm. A shirt is typically a base layer, a dress is a complete outfit on its own and is... well... dressier than other articles of clothing.

Not any more.

Now, I pick something up and it looks like a sweater, except when I put it on, it ends about halfway down my back. The only things being kept warm by this are my boobs, rendering it not a very useful sweater. I don't even understand how to wear it... if over a thin layer, it's probably not cold enough to necessitate a sweater... and if over a thick layer, you're looking for warmth, which this does not provide.

I'm the worst girl ever.

Shirts of a normal length are a thing of the past as well. Now I pick up a garment and do not know if it is a dress or a shirt. Those two items should, in my humble opinion, never be close enough in length to cause confusion. It's too long to be a shirt, but it's too short to be a dress. Shopping for clothing is already a truly traumatic experience for me, and now you throw this at me. Advanced Placement garments. I need the remedial class.

Through my research and a few "yahoo answers" posts later, I've come to understand that the shirt/dress phenomenon is where leggings come into play. Leggings. Come on people!! About 4.6% of the female population of the world looks good in leggings! I'm not looking to star in Flashdance here.

I think I've been spoiled by running clothes. They're so user friendly!! You tell me the temperature, I'll tell you what I'm wearing. Each item fulfills a purpose, there is nothing extraneous, there are specific clothes for every season, fashion has little to no place, it's perfect. If this unidentifiable clothing trend keeps up, I'm going to start wearing technical clothing everywhere.

Have fun in your stupid, short sweaters, world.

Two wheels of bliss

2007-09-25T12:06:00.000-04:00

Before July, my commute was 1.5 hours. I would leave my house at about 7:00 am, drive to the bus stop, hunt for a place to park, usually end up walking across several business' lawns, then riding the bus for 30-40 minutes to get to work by 8:30 (on a good day).

I moved in July (fairly unwillingly, but more on that later). Now, I leave at 8:00 (or so), I ride my bike to work and I still get here at about 8:20... and that's if I stop for breakfast.

The best part of this whole scenario, I've found, isn't actually the extra hour of sleep. That itself is remarkable as anyone who knows me will tell you there is little in this world I like more than sleeping in. No, the best part is in the "I ride my bike to work" part. Granted, it took awhile... for the first few weeks I was still a loyal bus rider, but once I got the nerve to get started, I was hooked. Having to pack my clothes and take a baby powder and blotting paper "shower" upon arriving at work are small prices to pay for the ride in. It's replaced my morning meditation and my morning (caffeinated) tea. It's a chance to slowly wake up, commune with nature (and by nature, I mean the industrial park I ride through, but still, it's fresh air), and enjoy my superiority to the suckers who are stuck on public transportation (it can't all be zen, people).

Now, to be fair I should say that I live approx. 3 miles from where I work and they are a very, very flat 3 miles; I don't want to give anyone the impression that I hike up the Pyrenees every day, but it is worth noting that the round trip burns me 200 big ones every day.

Jealous? For fellow travellers, who think that they too might like a two-wheeled commute, I offer this article:

http://www.wikihow.com/Commute-By-Bicycle

My Burnt Tongue

2007-09-14T11:39:00.001-04:00

Many of my friends and fellow bloggers have been waxing philosophical on our impending fallness. They have all written about it quite eloquently and while I probably can't say anything terribly mind-bending, I have just burnt my tongue on the first pumpkin spice latte of the season and therefore feel the need to add my thoughts to the fray.

1.) Pumpkin Spice lattes. Believe me, I am NOT a loyal Starbucksian, (shout out to Helen at "Perk Me Up" in Larry-ville) but I cannot pass up a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte... It is the one drink I haven't found satisfactorily replicated elsewhere. Curse you, starbucks, and your delicious everything-I-love-about-fall-in-a-drink.

2.) The Steelers. Seriously, is there anything better than pulling out your Steeler's hoodie, perhaps the rally cap for a particularly tough game, watching the game with any locals you can gather with, then heading to Smoking Joe's for fried Zucchini afterward (either in celebration or to drown your sorrows with anything and everything fried)? The best part? even when that's all over, it's still a hockey night in Pittsburgh... but that's another season.

3.) Running in the fall leaves. Not sweating to death. Not returning to find frost in my hair. Completely losing myself in counting the hundreds of colors passing me by and the crunching beneath my feet. Actually NOT wanting to stop. Running 3 miles further than I meant to.

I defy anyone to take a run or walk in the fall and not go back for seconds.

4.) Hoodies and Birks. It's a perfect storm of comfort and warmth - not yet encumbered by socks, but needing the snuggly warmness of a hoodie. It's by far my favorite outfit (or outfits since I have a hoodie for every day in October I think).

5.) My cat by the fireplace. It's how I define "contentment". I'm pretty sure the cat waits in as eager anticipation as I do for the first night when it is cool enough to warrant lighting the fireplace... or at least the first night where lighting the fireplace would not also necessitate turning on the air conditioning.

6.) Cheezeman's. A haunted hayride like no other and a night with my BFFs that I wouldn't trade for anything. Where else can you stand in line for (sometimes) hours, staving off freezing to death by taking turns making apple cider runs, only to find yourself facing a runaway forklift, weaponized couches and Osama himself. I know, you're jealous, aren't you? I look forward to it all. year. It's better than Christmas. seriously.

New soul in my charge

2007-09-10T11:43:00.000-04:00

Is it possible to have a maternal instinct for plants, yet not for people?

I have never thought myself much of a mother-figure, and, at 28 still have less than no idea how children might in some way or another figure into my life.... but give me a plant, and I'll water, feed, sing to, trim, turn, re-pot and otherwise love it with everything I've got.

All that being said, I have recently come across some Saguaro seeds. I did a little reading before planing them and learned that the Papago Indians believe that Saguaro's are old Indian souls and that they must be treated as such. How exciting!! I feel like a have some new little souls to plant and grow. Speaking of growing, I have also learned that in ten years, my little souls MIGHT grow three inches. Nature is crazy.

I have planted them today and will update on their growth and development, likely in this blog as well as in situations where people are talking endlessly about their children, I now have an in!

For your edification, here are some facts about Saguaros:

They are pollinated by doves
They live for 250 years
They can weigh over 2000 pounds
They often reach heights of 70 feet
They grow plum-sized fruits which are apparently fantastic in jellys, cakes and breads (I'll let you know in 50 years when mine fruits)

Happy Birthday, Cheezeball!

2007-09-06T23:43:00.000-04:00

I am the others

2007-09-06T12:08:00.000-04:00

I love going to concerts. I'll go to a concert even if I've never heard of the band or maybe even if I outright don't like the band. I like watching other people watch concerts... especially the die hard fans. I like to watch people at concerts for artists they like as much as I like Dar Williams.

I recently got to see the fantabulous Dar Williams perform live in a lovely, outdoor, evening concert. This video is for my dear friend Knitty, who upon hearing of the concert immediately stated: "I would've been screamin' "I"m not that petty, As cool as I am!!!" So, for you, Knitty M., the only song (my favorite song) that I managed to record amid my whooping and singing and dancing and general merry-making, compliments of my lowly but trustworthy camera:

By Definition

2007-09-04T20:40:00.000-04:00

I have a co-worker who insists on referring to me as "Chrisequious". I'm not sure if it is a reference to him thinking me a suck-up or merely my penchant for using big words, but either way, I do not take it as a compliment.

Main Entry: ob·se·qui·ous
Pronunciation: &b-'sE-kwE-&s, äb-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, compliant, from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to comply, from ob- toward + sequi to follow -- more at OB-, SUE: marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness

So, starting now, I'm reclaiming chrisequious. Fawning attentiveness can be a good thing, if aimed in the right direction. My life, for example - I think I could pay closer attention...