Monday, October 31, 2005

Pumpkin Carving


Last night I had some friends over to carve pumpkins in preparation for tonight - Halloween.

I have done this a couple of times in the past and I just love it. As adults, we forget how much fun it is to carve pumpkins. We're so busy going to costume parties and getting drunk we forget the pure and simple fun of plunging our bare hands into pumpkin guts.

There weren't many of us, which is often what happens, but we sure were creative. When the pumpkins were carved and lit it was really beautiful. We had three "traditional" jack-o-lanterns: one had a bat-shaped mouth, one looked like a samurai, and one was your CLASSIC cut. We also had a spider and a kitty cat (yes, that was mine, in honor of Beatrice's first Halloween). We set them out on the deck, all lit up, and oooed and ahhhed over them.

Then we dug into some FABULOUS food and wine and watched Silence of the Lambs. I had also rented Rear Window and The Ring, but we had two Lamb virgins so we opted to go for the suspenseful serial killer. It's such a great movie - no matter how many times I've seen it something surprises me.

Sadly, tonight I have to work, so I can't hand out candy and see all the neighborhood kiddies in their costumes. I'm disappointed. But at least I was able to get in the spooky spirit last night!

Sunday, October 30, 2005

MCM

This morning I strolled down to the National Mall to join the throngs of spectators cheering on the Marine Corps Marathon participants. I had a blast.

I meant to follow my good friend and previous training partner's progress and catch up with him at a couple of points. When I didn't see him at the 12 mile marker in the time I expected him, I made a phone call to a good friend who was nice enough to check his status on line. His map marker had him at the 6 mile mark without passing the first time update. I was surprised, but perhaps he was having a bad day and made the decision not to run any further. I'm hoping he is okay and that I'll hear from him soon about what took place.

However, I decided to stay and cheer the rest on . . . having been there myself 5 times, I know how important it is to hear the people on the side giving you words of encouragement. It's the fans that help see you to the finish line. It was awe inspiring to be cheering people on who, despite their great effort, I knew wouldn't "beat the bridge" and therefore not finish officially. These people who were going to be on the course for upwards of SEVEN or EIGHT hours! Those who finish in just over two hours are truly amazing athletes, but those who participate for seven-plus hours and don't even get the benefit of finishing are truly amazing people.

Watching marathons makes me emotional. I think of how I have felt each time I've crossed the finish line: exhausted, relieved, and so happy. I usually cry I'm so overwhelmed.

As I was walking away after watching the last of the last with bus and police escort pass the mile marker, I began to get the excited and nervous feeling deep inside my gut - and a little choked up. Hawaii is just over a month away. Am I ready? Will it go well? Will there be plenty of people, besides my friends, there to get me to the finish? These questions can only be answered on December 11th, but I am hopeful.

And for those of you cheering me on from the mainland, pray my map marker doesn't stop at mile 6!

Saturday, October 29, 2005

8 Mile

Ran 8 miles this morning - the coldest morning we've had since March, I'm guessing. Brrr. But it was a good run and I'd rather run in the cold than the oppressive heat.

Not much else to update . . . I've been busy, but it hasn't been very exciting.

I just wanted to let you all know I'm still in the game and running hard.

Monday, October 24, 2005

What's In A Name?

We named Kitty today.

Beatrice Yatima - means "bringer of joy" "orphan".

Beatrice is also a great character from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and . . . I hesitate to say it . . . my grandmother's name. The Shakespeare element seems appropriate since I work in the theatre as does the new daddy in NYC. It's also works with her new step-siblings: Ariel (The Tempest) and Harald (who they call Prince Hal I believe).

I was given the go ahead by the future parents in NYC since she will be with me for a couple of more months and I didn't want to call her "Kitty" for that length of time.

At least her vet record won't say "stray" anymore!

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Big City Kitty Delayed

Well, it looks like Kitty's trip to the Big Apple and her new home has been delayed . . . for who knows how long.

I took the dear thing back to the vet today and she is now believed to be a MERE FOUR WEEKS OLD. That means I rescued her off the street as young as two weeks! Poor BABY. She was weighed for the first time today - she's not even a full pound of kitty.

She still has her respiratory infection, and because she caught the herpes virus (the cold culprit) at so young an age, it will probably be with her forever. Which means it may flare up throughout her life. SIGH.

She was dewormed again and the vet also suspects she has ringworm, so she has been tested and needs to be shampood daily for THAT. I also need to continue her antibiotic eye gel twice a day. WHEW - this sweet stray is labor and cost intensive! When she is finally healthy and old enough, we begin her vaccinations.

I have to go BACK in the next couple of days with a fecal sample (oh joy oh rapture) because she didn't have anything in her this morning. The dear girl was brave and quiet throughout the treatment - just shivered due to cold or nerves (or maybe both). She is now sleeping off the morning's trauma all bundled up and will once again go to work with me today.

I am torn about the delayed trip to NYC. In one way I am happy she'll be around a little longer, but in another way I am worried that I will grow even more attached over her recovery time and giving her up will be very difficult. Sandy is quite fond of her, and though Zoe has relaxed some and tolerates her better than before, it would be a long battle to have them co-exist peacefully.

But I remain open and positive. For whatever reason the universe felt it necessary this kitty be in my life right now - for the life of me I can't figure it out, but am willing to live with not knowing. I find it fascinating that my housemate and I applied to foster a Katrina dog and have not heard anything . . . at the same time this kitty comes into our home. Things that make you go "hmmmmm."

For now, it's off to launder the dirty kitty towels and figure out how to set up my room knowing she will be here for a while. Though it means my life remains disrupted, all that work is worth it when she sleeps on my chest and purrs contentedly.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

23 Miles

This morning we ran 23 miles. I am tired, but had a very good run!

It was cold and rainy this morning, so I donned my new Baltimore 1/2 Marathon UnderArmour
shirt (it's snazzy!) and shorts and, after taking care of the dogs and kitty, left the house not certain I would enjoy the run.

We weren't quite a full group today - 8 Team Tegla-mates were there. Things started as they usually do - we went out faster than we should and basically maintained that along the way. One of our "no-shows" showed up around mile 5. She had overslept, raced to a place near where we run, parked her car and found us along the route. Impressive to say the least - I would have stayed in bed! She had a tough run, but hung in there to the bitter end. That girl has lots of guts.

I was feeling great. Maybe it's my acupuncture. Maybe it was the confidence of the 1/2 marathon. Maybe it was just that it was, with the exception of the rain, perfect running weather. Maybe it was that I ate well and was rested. It might well be all of the above. But whatever it was, it was working for me this morning.

About mile 17 one of our runners began to fade mentally. That's a tough place to check out - with 6 miles to go! The AIDS Marathon Program has a rule that one runner volunteers to be a "designated driver" to make sure another runner having a bad day is cared for along the route. I begrudgingly volunteer almost every week since I sometimes lose steam toward the end - but mostly because nobody else will.

Well, that meant I had to wait for the fellow who went back to bed in his mind. I was hoping I would leave him at a water stop and he even said he would . . . then changed his mind but still wasn't running. This, of course, was VERY FRUSTRATING for me as I was feeling fabulous. In the end, he finally "released" me from my duty (I felt guilty leaving him, but he wasn't SICK, just not interested in running anymore) but by this time Team Tegla was way ahead of me. Even the pace-group behind us was ahead of us!

So I took off to join up with them . . . and ran for a bit with them but was pining away to be with my friends. So when one of their runners started feeling the pain, I was off to catch up with Tegla.

I ran pretty hard for the 3 miles it took to reach them, but I did catch them with 2 miles to go. Oddly enough, I was still feeling good - even running harder those few miles. So I was able to run in with my group. And besides being tired and a little sore, I still feel good.

I am hoping today's run will give me the confidence I need . . . knowing I can run steady and still have something in me late in the run.

And if everything is going my way on marathon day, I will finish strong and happy.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

One Week

One more week left with my new baby and then she's off to be a BIG CITY KITTY!

I will be so sad to see her go. She is doing remarkably well now. Her eyes have cleared up, the worms are gone, she is eating - A LOT, and the fleas dying in the daily bath diminish in numbers. The only thing still troubling her is her upper respiratory infection - she is still coughing and sneezing. Poor thing.

Put she's curious and fearless - nothing fazes her - not even the two big dogs sharing her living space. I still have to keep Zoe from hunting her, but Sandy has adjusted quite well to Kitty and appears to want to mother her. It's damn cute.

Kitty has been exploring a lot the past several days. She's checked out the garden, the study, my bedroom, my bathroom, and my office. Her favorite toys are some string tied together and a paper ball (we love homemade toys!). She is getting more skilled at stalking and pouncing and loves to crawl under spaces and disappear.

She is also a love. At this very moment she is curled up in my lap sleeping. This morning, after a very early breakfast, she joined me back in bed and slept on the pillow curled up to my neck. ADORABLE! Her favorite perch is anybody's shoulder so she can survey her kingdom.

My parents met her over the weekend and my mother fell in love. She said she loves ANY baby. She cuddled her and took a bunch of pictures.

Hard to believe she'll be gone in a week. I'm going to miss her more than I care to think. I know she is going to the best home, but there is a part of me that desperately wants her to stay with me. Surely Zoe would adjust - wouldn't she? Hardly. She's already so jealous she barely leaves my side on walks. She still looks at Kitty like she's a squirrel. And she still grabs at her when she sees any opening.

SIGH. So I must give her up. Like the expression says, "If you love something, set it free." It's funny to think of loving something so much you let it go . . . perhaps a lesson to be learned in other areas of my life.

Monday, October 17, 2005

1:57:09

Well, I did it. I ran the Baltimore Half-Marathon in under two hours. Just barely, but I did it. According to my chip time, I averaged a 9:05 mile. I am pleased enough with that pace and just glad the race didn't kill me.

Believe me, there were times I thought it would. I tell you, the first 8 miles were all uphill and for once I don't think I'm exaggerating. Every time we'd crest a hill, we'd turn a corner and there would be another one. Ugh. I hate hills.

So I was a little sore when I finished, but with the exception of what has become chronic back pain (since the 20 miler a few weeks ago) I feel great. It was a beautiful day - sunny and cool - a little breezier than I like 'cause I'm not fond of head winds like I'm not fond of hills.

I ran with two friends - okay, so I ran the first several miles with two friends. They are both a decade younger and men and though I generally don't like to make excuses, I believe those facts do make a difference when it comes to running. They didn't finish MUCH faster than I did.

My parents were in town for the race - it's always so great to see them along the route. We missed each other early on, but I saw them as I approached the finish line. They are the most amazing supporters. My mother even wore her "Runners Mother" shirt I bought her a couple of years ago for the Marine Corps Marathon. She is one dedicated mom.

So now I focus solely on the marathon in December. It isn't that far away now. The 1/2 marathon taught me a couple of things though: I can sustain a good pace and I can finish strong. Not surprisingly they go hand in hand. And if I'm lucky, I will repeat that dynamic duo in December.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Lost and Found

What a hectic couple of days it has been. Saturday is rained . . . all day . . . like Noah's Ark rain.

Sunday morning it finally slowed down enough to take the dogs out for walk. On our way to Congressional Cemetery, as we were passing through a very busy intersection, I heard a kitty cry. I looked over and lo and behold I could barely make out a kitten hiding under a truck in that busy intersection.

Well, with two big dogs that consider kittens snacks, I had to continue to the cemetery. As we walked, I prayed and prayed it would still be there - safe and sound - on our way back.

Sure enough, it was still crying as I approached the intersection. So I ran the dogs back the half block, let them in the yard, and raced back to save the kitty.

The poor thing was water-logged and scared, but fierce enough to hiss at me as I reached for it. It was far too weak and small to outrun me, so I scooped it up and brought it home with me. I let the dogs in and then wrapped the wee thing up in a towel and held it close as I began to consider the enormity of what I had just done.

What were my options, really? I mean, it is clearly the kitten of a feral cat who quite possibly abandoned it or died - so it needed a home. For whatever reason, it chose me - in spite of the fact that I observed several people walk by the same intersection that morning. Did it know I would be the bleeding heart that would take it in? Apparently the universe let it know.

So, after a short shock and a cat nap (hers) I started to act. I cleaned up one of its eyes, which I thought was missing when I first picked it up. It was clearly infected. I went to the store and got a case for it 'cause I knew it needed protection against the dogs and a way to travel. I then took it to the vet . . . and it was diagnosed with an eye infection, an upper-respiratory infection, and anemia due to fleas (nasty buggers). It was very underweight and estimated six weeks old - and finally identified as a female!

Two medications and $150 later I was taking the sweet little girl kitty home.

Once home, I bathed her in dawn to kill the fleas (the damn things are so resilient I have bathed her twice again), fed her (wow can she eat), and held her as she slept the afternoon away. It was then I started considering who would take her home. I couldn't bear taking her to a shelter - even a no-kill shelter as I knew I was already too attached to not know how she grows up. But the dogs were already watching her intently with looks to kill . . . she couldn't stay.

So I tucked her into her little carrier and ran off to the computer to start sending out e-mails and making phone calls. Well, between allergies, lease restrictions, and too many cats already I was finding it difficult to place her and getting more and more upset by my dwindling options.

Then it hit me - two friends in NYC who were fabulous cat people. With one e-mail, the universe spoke again and these friends were actually considering a new kitty . . . so I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying silent prayers to St. Francis - even though I'm not Catholic - that it works out for all of us - especially baby kitty!

In the meantime, she continues to stay with me as she recovers. I get to clean her eyes and give her baths and enjoy her sweetness until she is well enough to travel and go to a home with other cats. But I cannot name her . . . because once I do, she is mine forever.

Her story is an amazing one - and a lucky one. In two short days she was lost and found.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Running Late

I am often "running late."

In high school, my quote in the yearbook was "You guys, WAIT!" Typically I was behind my friends and family . . . always trying to catch up.

This carried on into my adult life and I find myself constantly racing against the clock to be on time . . . I often don't succeed.

I blame my mother - or more accurately her doctor. You see, my mother is a VERY small woman (never weighed over 100 lbs except when pregnant small) and when she gave birth to my brother, she was the smallest mommy in the hospital - with the LARGEST baby (yeah, he was a TANK). So, when my mom was nearing her delivery date with me (Christmas) and was still gaining weight, her doctor decided she shouldn't carry to full-term as it would be dangerous. My mother's theory was that he was vacationing someplace exotic for the Holidays and didn't want to have to stick around . . . I think that likely. Anway, my mother was scheduled to be induced early on December 12th (not the next day as that would have been Friday the 13th). She was brought in with the other mothers, given her shot, and one by one watched the other woman go into labor. So they gave her another shot. And another. And another - that's when my mom stopped counting. Clearly, I was NOT READY to arrive. I was being rushed. I had things to do. I had to prepare for life outside the womb! I was HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE. Of course, she eventually went into labor and I was born that afternoon, but I maintain that because I was forced to be two weeks early I have spent the rest of my life trying to catch up. I'm always running late.

Last night "running late" took on a new meaning to me. Last night, for the first time, I ran with the DC Front Runners. Though I am not gay, I am one of "their friends" and my Tegla pace group leader runs with them twice a week. Since Zoe is refusing to come out of semi-retirement, I have decided to begin running my maintenance runs with the Front Runners and they run "late" - which to me is 7pm.

We met at Dupont Circle and since it was already dark by the time we left, we took the best lit route from that point - up Massachusetts Ave. And when I say up, I mean UP. It's a two mile climb to the National Cathedral and then another mile with a hill about half way to American University. UGH. Though I have been running the Independence Ave hill at least once a week, it pales by comparison. The total mileage was about 6 miles. It was quite a cardio workout for me - a rare experience anymore when I'm running - clearly I need to shake up my workout!

So I think this is a good choice. Of course it means getting used to running at night now. I'll have to make the appropriate adjustments food-wise and all. I had eaten too late and hadn't consumed enough water yesterday so I got some side cramps on the way up the hill. And I'll have to make some adjustments to my evening schedule as well - eating late, getting home late, etc. But I think it's worth it. We'll run from Union Station on Tuesdays (much more convenient to Hill East) and keep running from Dupont on Thursdays.

I'm excited about my new training regimen - "running late." And who knows - maybe by running late now, I can arrive early at the finish line!

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Wheel of Fortune

Sometimes I enjoy a moment of distraction online. Today, I had my tarot cards read online and to my happy surprise this is the card I drew for my FUTURE card.

This is the Wheel of Fortune card.

No, it does not mean I will be on the game show of the same name starring Pat Sajek.

Instead, it bodes good luck for me in the future. WHAT A THRILL! I haven't felt lucky in a long time . . . in many ways. This is what was said about it:

"Eleventh in the Major Arcana, The Wheel of Fortune is the card of chance. This wheel is always turning, just as life is always changing. In each corner of the card there is a creature that represents one of the four fixed Zodiac signs: the angel represents Aquarius, the eagle signifies Scorpio, the bull symbolizes Taurus, and the lion signifies Leo. The purpose of these creatures is to remind you that while your daily life is in flux, your spiritual truths are not. Life is about ebb and flow, and this card is a sign of lucky times. When the Wheel of Fortune is with you, nothing can stop you from getting what you want in life. Good fortune—in some area of life—is likely to be yours. More than any other step of life's journey, this card represents the lessons you must learn and the experiences in store for you in your upcoming karmic destiny. This may impact you in any number of ways, including:

Good luck in love, bringing you new suitors or a stretch in which everything in your current relationship seems to go right.
Getting your dream job, or the promotion you've been working for, even if they previously felt just out of reach.
A happy-go-lucky time in which you and your family have the fates on your side. This could be anything from finding a twenty-dollar bill on the street to finding and being able to afford your dream house."

My goodness! I'd be beside myself to be impacted in any of those ways! Of course, I'm most interested in getting that "dream job" and some "luck in love." They have been weighing heavy on my heart lately.

So, even though this was just for fun and computer generated, I'm going to embrace my lucky future. After all, we all spin the wheel at some point or another!

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

51 Cents

No, it's not an incorrect reference to the rapper 50 Cent.

51 Cents is the amount of my latest residual check from Gods and Generals.

It's as if I'm in an episode of Seinfeld.

I was pretty excited to see the envelope as it used to mean a decent amount of money was enclosed. And it was always unexpected - a surprise. Kind of like found money. Imagine my surprise at the amount!

I mean, what can you get for 51 cents nowadays? I can't ride the metro - but I can transfer from metro to a bus with that. I can't buy a pack of gum - but I can get a gumball or two. I can't get anything in a vending machine! I can get only ONE first class stamp, but at least I get that. I'm seriously considering this and coming up empty handed - I got nothing. The check is hardly worth the paper it's printed on. I dare say it isn't even worth the paper it's printed on!

And depositing it is just damn funny. Imagine being the teller and having to punch in a whopping 51 cents into my account.

But deposit it I will, cause as the expression goes: I need every penny I can get! And as my grandfather used to say, "Save your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves."

Monday, October 03, 2005

Open Doors

"When one door closes, another door opens."

Boy did I sure feel like the "under four hour" door closed tight and locked on me when my speedwork fell through. And for the life of me I couldn't figure out where the other door opened. I looked and looked and all I saw was that same closed door.

Then I read this article and figured out that maybe I should stop running into that closed door 'cause all it keeps doing is beating me up. Or more truthfully, I keep beating myself up. It hurts to run into a closed door over and over again. What's the point?

So I am approaching this marathon a little differently than I was before. Instead of going for a TIME, my goal is to finish strong. I felt pretty good after the 20 miler and I would like to feel that good after the marathon as well. So that is my open door. Finishing strong.

And who knows, maybe by concentrating on finishing strong, I will still finish fast. Because sometimes when the door is closed, if you look closely, you can find an open sign on it and all you have to do is turn the knob and run on through. If not, at the very least I have run through the big open door to the finish line and that's really what counts.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

20 Down . . .

. . . 6.2 to go.

Yup, ran 20 miles yesterday and it went remarkably well. Only a 10K left and next thing you know we're off for Honolulu! Actually, it doesn't work QUITE like that - in three weeks we run 23 and in six we run 26. After that, it's a short month to the marathon. :)

We had Sunday's Team Tegla join us this week due to the Army 10-miler and they will be running with us for the last two long runs as well. It was GREAT having them. Between the two groups, we had four current or retired Army and they sure know how to motivate. Becca got us going on some silly, made-up cadences for inspiration - one of which I ended up the butt of a really funny joke just because I happened to be running in front of her. She's not great at rhyming on the fly, but this particular time she nailed me.

We really got going when Captain Ron, former Airborne, began running the cadences. He got us through some of the harder middle miles and we ran tight and fast as he called and we repeated. It was actually FUN. Then Becca remembered one and helped us out . . . just in time to pass Coach Rick. He just smiled as he passed us by . . . in fact, most people smiled as we ran by them singing.

We all ran pretty well and it was great fun running through the pack of AIDS Walkers. They had their big walk around the mall just as we were finishing our run. It was great to see so many people out for the same cause.

We finished in just over 3 1/2 hours, so I have high hopes for a strong marathon finish. That was with slowing our pace down and with more frequent walk breaks. Maybe under 4 is possible without the speed work?

After the run yesterday, I quick showered and went with a friend and my housemate to Barracks Row for a small street fair and the Blessing of the Animals. Zoe and Sandy joined us, of course, and got blessed . . . not that any of us are big on organized religion, but I like the idea of Zoe being watched over. It was a gorgeous day and by the time we got the dogs blessed and went up and down the street, I needed to SIT DOWN.

So my friend and I came home while my housemate went to work and we watched the final episode of last season's LOST. Now I can get caught up with this season! It is, in my opinion, the best show on television and frankly the only one I watch with any regularity.

Then we hit La Lomita, sat outside, and enjoyed some Mexican food and a pitcher for dinner. Needless to say I was asleep by 9pm! Not typical.

Today I'm off to do a reading for Theatre J and more practical at home stuff. Tomorrow morning I'm back at Rock Creek Park for a run with Zoe. Got to stay faithful to the maintenance run!

Only 6.2 miles and 10 weeks to Honolulu - but whose counting?