I am currently in Dallas, on the 7th floor of the very lovely and quite swanky Hyatt Regency Hotel. Below me is the Texas Council for the Social Studies Conference, and to my right is my co-worker, who is putting the finishing touches on the presentation we'll be giving tomorrow. But that's not what I want to talk about right now. Right now, I want to talk about rain.
It is raining in Nacogdoches. Like, a lot. Like, the local weatherman, who I happen to follow on Twitter, is tweeting up a storm (har, har) with updates about road closures, flooding, and tornado warnings. I called Nathan to see what was going on and he told me, "I'm in the middle of something. I'll call you later." Either my apartment is flooding, or he is attempting to make dinner, from scratch, for our friends. Both those scenarios are scary in different ways.
In the meantime, I am in my hotel room, wishing I wasn't missing the rain, and working on an essay about love and the apocalypse. It's pretty terrible so far, but that's what first drafts are for. I hope my friends in town are staying warm and dry and enjoying the storm on my behalf. See y'all tomorrow, unless you're under water!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
friday +/-
+ The gorgeous weather that blew in and caused me to bust out my scarf collection for the first time this season. Oh Autumn, I've missed you!
+ Resting and relaxing with nothing but short, easy runs. My reward for the half marathon. :-)
+ Lunch dates with friends that I don't see nearly enough.
+ My department seems to be climbing slowly out of our black hole of despair. I'm exaggerating, yes, but things are looking up. I even got to drink a soy latte at the coffee shop with colleagues as part of our Professional Book Club. Too bad I haven't started the book yet. ;)
+ Watching Wolverine with Nathan, on my laptop, in the parking lot of the laundromat. Bad movies are better when you can share them with someone you love.
+ Working a half day so I can start my weekend early by heading to Austin with Mary T., for two days of lady times, a baby shower, and delicious food.
- Our washing machine needs a piece replaced, and the fix-it guy can't do it until Monday. Thus, spending too many quarters and one long evening at the laundromat.
- Having an existential crisis, which involved major contemplation of a PhD and a career in professorship, of the English variety. Still contemplating...
- Feeling guilty for taking an exercise break, and then feeling guilty for feeling guilty.
- Falling behind on my reading for creative nonfiction, even though I really, really like the books we're reading.
- Knowing I'll miss Nathan and Seamus while I'm in Austin, canoodling with lady friends and eating delish food. I promise to bring back a vegan cupcake!
As usual, I appear to come out on top. Yay! Where did you end up this week?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
fun with pumpkins
On Monday Nathan, Seamus and I headed to the local pumpkin patch to pick the perfect gourd and snap some seasonal photos.
Speaking of charms, check out Seamus indulging our random whims by putting his head through the hole in the large, orange pumpkin. Nathan looks pretty weird in this photo, but I am posting it anyway because my dog is so awesome. Also because Nathan rarely reads my blog. (Whew!)
Pumpkin Spice Ale to reward our photo-posing, pumpkin picking efforts. So delicious!
My next step will be to carve the pumpkin and then use the innards to make toasted pumpkin seeds and pumpkin puree, which will then be added to homemade granola and delicious baked goods, respectively. In other words, stay tuned for more pumpkin-y posts.
Here we have the whole family together. I like how Seamus' collar matches the pumpkins. I also like how nice and still he is sitting. It took about seven tries to get this right. The secret to photographing a large, black and overstimulated dog? Use your camera's sports setting. Works like a charm.
Speaking of charms, check out Seamus indulging our random whims by putting his head through the hole in the large, orange pumpkin. Nathan looks pretty weird in this photo, but I am posting it anyway because my dog is so awesome. Also because Nathan rarely reads my blog. (Whew!)
I won't say I dressed up for pumpkin picking, but I will say that an autumn themed color scheme - all the way down to the shoes! - is a very lucky coincidence. ;)
Pumpkin Spice Ale to reward our photo-posing, pumpkin picking efforts. So delicious!
My next step will be to carve the pumpkin and then use the innards to make toasted pumpkin seeds and pumpkin puree, which will then be added to homemade granola and delicious baked goods, respectively. In other words, stay tuned for more pumpkin-y posts.
Monday, October 19, 2009
weekend recap - racy edition!
The biggest news from the past weekend is that I successfully completed my first half marathon! 13.1 very hilly miles, and in just under two hours and ten minutes. My goal was a ten minute per mile pace. My actual pace for the race? 9:54. As you can imagine, I've been on cloud nine ever since I crossed that finish line Saturday morning. You can read a full recap of the race on Long Distance Vegan. If racy details don't push your buttons, know this: if you had told me a year ago that I would run a half marathon, I would have told you that you were crazy. Also: there is nothing more exhilarating than doing the impossible. I highly recommend it.
After the race (which Nathan also ran, coming in 35th out of 295 runners, with a time of one hour and forty minutes!) we hauled our tired and sore legs into the car and drove two hours back to Nacogdoches, where we had just enough time to shower, eat and repack our bags. We had to be in Conroe, Texas, by 7pm in order to watch as my co-worker married his lovely bride. After a hiccup with our hotel, we were re-routed to a different hotel 30 minutes away and made it to the wedding with three minutes to spare. Whew! I am an awesome boss.
At the wedding, there was much drinking of wine and dancing (which is what happens when there is much drinking of wine). The wedding was a lovely affair and I wish I had brought my camera, but alas. I'm lucky I was there, let alone taking photos.
We drove back to our far away hotel at around midnight, and promptly passed out. Drove back to Nac bright and early the next morning and I spent the day attempting to be productive, stretching my (very sore) legs, and failing on all accounts. Oh, well. I'd earned a lazy day.
Today my legs are just about back to normal, and I'm planning to do a short run and a yoga class tomorrow - two days without exercise is more than enough for me! I also have to do my homework for Wednesday, catch up on Mad Men, make split pea soup in the crock pot for cozy lunch dates with my love, and stay on top of a million and one things at work. Which is fine. I know I can do it. I can run a half marathon, and that means I can do anything!
race report: tyler half marathon
I did it! 13.1 miles, in 2:09:43! Here's how it happened.
My adventure began on Friday, when Nathan and I left work early and drove the two hours to Tyler. We stopped at Academy to pick up our race packets before moving on to Tyler State Park. At the park, we quickly set up came, made a cozy fire, and cooked up dinner - pre-race pasta with Newman's Own sauce and crumbles. It was filling and delicious!
The next morning we woke up at 6:00am and climbed out of our hammocks. We brushed our teeth, packed up the car, and were heading to the race by 6:45am. Once we got to the university where the race would start, we checked in, got our official timing chips, and ran a few laps to and from the car, both to get our blood pumping and to keep warm. It was cold!
The race was supposed to start at 8:00am, but it seemed to be late. I'm not sure - I was nervously standing in line next to Nathan, trying to quiet the butterflies in my stomach. Finally, the gun went off and as I crossed the start line I made sure to step extra hard with the foot my timing chip was attached to, in order to activate it. Nathan planned to run much faster than me, so I didn't see him again until the end of the race. For the next two hours, I was on my own.
The first three miles were pretty tough. I kept thinking, I have to do this ten more times? Oh, god. But by mile four, I got into my groove and felt pretty good, like I could run all day. That feeling lasted until mile six, which was literally one long, steep hill. I passed a number of people who were walking up the hill, and I was glad that I done so many hill sprints these last few weeks. While I slowed down considerably, I never had to walk. I was proud of that!
The hills did not end at mile six. Oh, no. Mile ten was just as bad and I found myself looking for the mile markers like a woman in the desert, searching desperately for water. (Actually, I was also looking for water. I'd carried Gatorade with me, by after the first seven miles it got warm and warm Gatorade? Gross.) There were two photographers at mile twelve, and as they took my picture they said, "You're almost there!" I took that to heart, and since I was still feeling strong, I decided to pick up the pace. I managed to pass about five people during that last mile, two of which were women that I'd been trailing during the whole race. It felt so good to finally put them behind me! I tried not to be too competitive during the race - I kept telling myself, this is YOUR race. You are doing this for YOU. - but come on. Passing people feels good!
That last mile was the longest one I've ever run. When I finally saw the finish line, I ran towards it, hoping my legs would not fall off at the last minute. My legs held out, and Nathan tried to take my photo as I crossed the finish line. He did a pretty good job.
That's me on the right, in the black pants and gray shirt. I like how neither of my feet are touching the ground. So awesome.
After the race, we got in our car, drove two hours home, showered, ate, dressed, and then drove two more hours to a wedding, where we drank too much wine and attempted to dance despite our tired and sore legs. But that's a story for another time. What's important here is that I RAN A HALF MARATHON, something I never in a million years thought I would do. Next week, I begin training for my full marathon, and I'm looking forward to it. The half marathon has given me so much confidence in my ability to do anything and everything. To Austin, I say bring it on! Give me your steepest hills! And have my medal waiting for me at the finish line!
PS - Nathan finished in an hour and forty minutes, and came in 35th out of 295 runners. Isn't he awesome?
My adventure began on Friday, when Nathan and I left work early and drove the two hours to Tyler. We stopped at Academy to pick up our race packets before moving on to Tyler State Park. At the park, we quickly set up came, made a cozy fire, and cooked up dinner - pre-race pasta with Newman's Own sauce and crumbles. It was filling and delicious!
The next morning we woke up at 6:00am and climbed out of our hammocks. We brushed our teeth, packed up the car, and were heading to the race by 6:45am. Once we got to the university where the race would start, we checked in, got our official timing chips, and ran a few laps to and from the car, both to get our blood pumping and to keep warm. It was cold!
The race was supposed to start at 8:00am, but it seemed to be late. I'm not sure - I was nervously standing in line next to Nathan, trying to quiet the butterflies in my stomach. Finally, the gun went off and as I crossed the start line I made sure to step extra hard with the foot my timing chip was attached to, in order to activate it. Nathan planned to run much faster than me, so I didn't see him again until the end of the race. For the next two hours, I was on my own.
The first three miles were pretty tough. I kept thinking, I have to do this ten more times? Oh, god. But by mile four, I got into my groove and felt pretty good, like I could run all day. That feeling lasted until mile six, which was literally one long, steep hill. I passed a number of people who were walking up the hill, and I was glad that I done so many hill sprints these last few weeks. While I slowed down considerably, I never had to walk. I was proud of that!
The hills did not end at mile six. Oh, no. Mile ten was just as bad and I found myself looking for the mile markers like a woman in the desert, searching desperately for water. (Actually, I was also looking for water. I'd carried Gatorade with me, by after the first seven miles it got warm and warm Gatorade? Gross.) There were two photographers at mile twelve, and as they took my picture they said, "You're almost there!" I took that to heart, and since I was still feeling strong, I decided to pick up the pace. I managed to pass about five people during that last mile, two of which were women that I'd been trailing during the whole race. It felt so good to finally put them behind me! I tried not to be too competitive during the race - I kept telling myself, this is YOUR race. You are doing this for YOU. - but come on. Passing people feels good!
That last mile was the longest one I've ever run. When I finally saw the finish line, I ran towards it, hoping my legs would not fall off at the last minute. My legs held out, and Nathan tried to take my photo as I crossed the finish line. He did a pretty good job.
That's me on the right, in the black pants and gray shirt. I like how neither of my feet are touching the ground. So awesome.
After the race, we got in our car, drove two hours home, showered, ate, dressed, and then drove two more hours to a wedding, where we drank too much wine and attempted to dance despite our tired and sore legs. But that's a story for another time. What's important here is that I RAN A HALF MARATHON, something I never in a million years thought I would do. Next week, I begin training for my full marathon, and I'm looking forward to it. The half marathon has given me so much confidence in my ability to do anything and everything. To Austin, I say bring it on! Give me your steepest hills! And have my medal waiting for me at the finish line!
PS - Nathan finished in an hour and forty minutes, and came in 35th out of 295 runners. Isn't he awesome?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
nano no-no
I thought about the other four "novels" I've written - novels that I never looked at again past December 1st, novels that did not, in fact, lead to more productive writing habits in later years, novels that didn't teach me anything except that yes, I can do anything I put my mind to, which would be great if I used that knowledge to write something worthwhile, something that I was proud of because it was well-crafted and honest and not simply because it was a whole lot of words.
I'm in a good place right now as far as writing goes. I have a community of writers that I can send work to, bounce ideas off of, and trade critiques with. I'm experimenting with nonfiction. I've slowly started to submit to journals, and have gotten a few acceptances. The Literary Reading series at the yoga studio is taking off - we already have five readers signed up for December. What I'm saying is, I love NaNoWriMo. I love the chance to blow off everything and dive, wholeheartedly, into an impossible pursuit. In the past, I needed November, but today? Right now? I need something else.
This year, I'm not going to write a novel in one month. I'm going to continue with what I've been doing - writing, reading, taking classes, hosting events, making time to put words on paper, experimenting with form and subjects - and I'm going to become a better writer. November was the beginning. I'm ready for the next stage.
Good luck to everyone and anyone who is participating in NaNoWriMo this year. You're in for a wild and thrilling ride, and it is going to be amazing. I can promise you that, because I know that it's true. I'm with you in spirit! And thanks to NaNoWriMo - those Novembers have made me a braver person and, as we all know, there is no such thing as a cowardly writer.
Monday, October 12, 2009
reading recap
On Saturday night, Amy and I hosted the second Literary Reading at the Yoga Studio. We are hoping to make this a bi-monthly event, and from the success of our first two readings, it seems we are well on our way to establishing this as a go-to event for Nacogdoches' literary circles.
We had a total of nine talented readers, who shared a mix of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, and included English professors from the college, undergraduate and graduate students, and one lone librarian (that would be me). We offered free snacks (vegan cakes and cookies, baked by Amy and I) and fresh coffee from Java Jacks. We accepted donations for the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter, and raised $175. We rented 60 chairs and filled each of them with a supportive and appreciative audience. It was, in my opinion, a perfect evening, and I'm looking forward to many more.
Since the reading, I have received emails from four people, all of whom already want to sign up to read at December's event. This, more than anything, excites me and shows me that yes, people had a good time, they appreciate the work we put into this event, and they want to support it and be a part of it. In a world where people fill their lives with the Internet, video games, television and a million other distractions, it's amazing and heartening to know that so many people can still make time for good, honest literature. Also amazing is the depth and breadth of talent that exists right here in Nacogdoches. I'm proud to be a part of this community, grateful for it's existence, and humbled by the chance to showcase it at the yoga studio.
Thanks to everyone who came, supported, read, and advertised on our behalf. December is going to be amazing!
Friday, October 09, 2009
friday +/-
Every Friday, Ramsey posts a +/- list on her blog. I think this is a neat way to review the week and put things into perspective. Enjoy!
+ I made it to two yoga classes this week, which is my modest (and lately, rarely achieved) goal. Both classes were wonderful, so I think next week's chances are looking good.
+ I made Eralda's weeknight noodles with marinated Asian tofu for dinner last night. Both dishes were easy and delicious. I love adding new meals to my regular rotation!
+ Work, which has been stressful and wrought with drama, conspiracies, and tough transitions, somehow remains enjoyable. I like being a manager. I like taking care of others and making things run smoothly. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I'm catching on fast and this is a good thing. I am also lucky to have an excellent supervisor who has been more supportive and encouraging than anyone deserves, let alone me.
+ I finished and handed in my first piece of creative nonfiction Wednesday night. I wrote about dreadlocks - having them, what they meant to me, how they changed me. Here's the weird thing about writing - when I am crafting my essay, I spend so much time carefully choosing each and every word, and editing and revising as I go, that it takes me weeks to finish my "first" draft. When I am done, I think it's perfect. Then, after a day or two, I think about it some more and decide that it is terrible, the worst thing I've ever written, and that I should do the world a favor, burn it and start again from scratch. Luckily, I chose to submit it to my classmates instead, and eagerly await next week's workshop.
+ In the meantime, I plan on reading the essay at the bi-monthly Literary Reading that Amy and I are hosting at the yoga studio tomorrow night. We have a really great group of readers signed up and I think this event is going to be just as good - if not better - than the first one.
+ Jim and Pam got married, and I missed it. Luckily, I can watch the episode on Hulu. Those are my big plans for Sunday and I am possibly looking forward to that more than the Lit Reading. Shhh....
- It has been terribly humid in East Texas all week. Like, stay up all night because you're sweating too hard to sleep and are too stubborn to close the windows and turn on the AC humid. It's been causing me to cut short my runs, which is a bad thing to do less than two weeks before a half marathon. It's been raining all day, so hopefully the winds will blow some cooler weather our way. I really miss having four real live seasons.
- I was trying to do VeganMoFo over at Long Distance Vegan, but had to give up. I'm just not a very good food blogger and I need to stop pretending like I am. (Don't worry, admitting defeat won't stop me from taking yellow-y photos of my dinners.)
- Speaking of month long challenges, I've decided not to do NaNoWriMo this year. I'm sad, because every November for the last three years has seen me churn out a crappy novel and why would I want to stop now? But the fact is, I need to write a quality novel (or at least a quality collection of stories and essays) and NaNoWriMo, while fun and crazy and a great exercise in sitting down and writing, has never produced those particular results. So have fun, my friends, and best of luck. I may see you again some November in the future.
How was your week? Give me some +'s and -'s in the comments!
+ I made it to two yoga classes this week, which is my modest (and lately, rarely achieved) goal. Both classes were wonderful, so I think next week's chances are looking good.
+ I made Eralda's weeknight noodles with marinated Asian tofu for dinner last night. Both dishes were easy and delicious. I love adding new meals to my regular rotation!
+ Work, which has been stressful and wrought with drama, conspiracies, and tough transitions, somehow remains enjoyable. I like being a manager. I like taking care of others and making things run smoothly. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I'm catching on fast and this is a good thing. I am also lucky to have an excellent supervisor who has been more supportive and encouraging than anyone deserves, let alone me.
+ I finished and handed in my first piece of creative nonfiction Wednesday night. I wrote about dreadlocks - having them, what they meant to me, how they changed me. Here's the weird thing about writing - when I am crafting my essay, I spend so much time carefully choosing each and every word, and editing and revising as I go, that it takes me weeks to finish my "first" draft. When I am done, I think it's perfect. Then, after a day or two, I think about it some more and decide that it is terrible, the worst thing I've ever written, and that I should do the world a favor, burn it and start again from scratch. Luckily, I chose to submit it to my classmates instead, and eagerly await next week's workshop.
+ In the meantime, I plan on reading the essay at the bi-monthly Literary Reading that Amy and I are hosting at the yoga studio tomorrow night. We have a really great group of readers signed up and I think this event is going to be just as good - if not better - than the first one.
+ Jim and Pam got married, and I missed it. Luckily, I can watch the episode on Hulu. Those are my big plans for Sunday and I am possibly looking forward to that more than the Lit Reading. Shhh....
- It has been terribly humid in East Texas all week. Like, stay up all night because you're sweating too hard to sleep and are too stubborn to close the windows and turn on the AC humid. It's been causing me to cut short my runs, which is a bad thing to do less than two weeks before a half marathon. It's been raining all day, so hopefully the winds will blow some cooler weather our way. I really miss having four real live seasons.
- I was trying to do VeganMoFo over at Long Distance Vegan, but had to give up. I'm just not a very good food blogger and I need to stop pretending like I am. (Don't worry, admitting defeat won't stop me from taking yellow-y photos of my dinners.)
- Speaking of month long challenges, I've decided not to do NaNoWriMo this year. I'm sad, because every November for the last three years has seen me churn out a crappy novel and why would I want to stop now? But the fact is, I need to write a quality novel (or at least a quality collection of stories and essays) and NaNoWriMo, while fun and crazy and a great exercise in sitting down and writing, has never produced those particular results. So have fun, my friends, and best of luck. I may see you again some November in the future.
How was your week? Give me some +'s and -'s in the comments!
Monday, October 05, 2009
weekend recap - hills and thrills
Friday After spending the previous week rounding up various ex-teammates, we finally met up on opening night of Whip It to watch roller derby on the big screen. I laughed, I cried, I cheered and pumped my first in the air. It wasn't a perfect movie, but it was good enough and it made me long for the days when I would strap on a pair of skates three nights a week and spend hours upon hours knocking over my very best friends and skating laps until I was dizzy. I don't miss roller derby that much any more - I've found new hobbies to take it's place, and I'm still friends with all the folks I once competed with. But watching Whip It, seeing a character on a screen fall in love with the sport that was my life for two years - it brought so many feelings rushing back.
My only consolation is that I am still young - especially in roller derby years - and that, should I move away to a bigger city in a Northern state, I will always have the option of skating again. For now, I'll definitely buy Whip It when it comes out on DVD and my extensive collection of knee socks and fishnet stockings isn't going anywhere.
Saturday
I woke up at 4:30am with butterflies in my stomach because it was the day of the Pineywoods Purgatory! After a breakfast of granola, a quick dog walk, and a final once over of the bikes, we headed to Lufkin to pick up our registration packets and line up with the rest of the participants.
It was a gorgeous day - cool and sunny, perfect for a 72 mile bicycle ride. Nathan and I kept a comfortable pace, averaging 15 miles per hour, and we refueled at all the rest stops, which were placed about 11 miles apart (including a rest stop manned by friends from the SFA Hospitality department - thanks for the pickles, Chay, Mary, Matt and student volunteers!). I felt comfortable and capable for almost the whole ride, even when climbing monstrously huge hills. The only time I started to really get tired was at the very end, and it was less because I was "hitting the wall" and more because my butt was sore and I was hungry. We'd been on the road for five and a half hours and I wanted a damn sandwich. You can only pedal so far on Powerade, Clif bars, bananas and pickles. Luckily, the end was not too far off and as we rolled across the finish line I was filled with such a sense of pride and accomplishment that I forgot how tired and hungry I was. Immediately after, I remembered, and we locked up our bicycles as fast as we could and practically ran to the free fajita lunch that was waiting for us.
Next year, I plan on actually training and doing the 100 mile ride. I will be sure to pack a sandwich!
Sunday
We slept in, ate waffles and took the dog to the park - the usual Sunday morning routine, minus a 12 mile run. I was taking the day off from exercise, and instead Nathan and I both spent all day on our respective computers, doing homework and listening to the sounds of the rain outside the window. Seamus also did a lot of lounging, as you can see from the above photo, despite the fact that he had not ridden any bicycles the previous day. Hmph. We capped off the weekend with a double header of Mad Men at Chay's, where we were offered cocktails and sweet potato fries while being endlessly entertained by both Chay's lovely daughter AND the best show currently on television. A perfect end to a wonderful weekend.
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