Obedience Training

Stella and I started her Intermediate Obedience class last night.

There is a really good dog inside of her . . . in fact, there is a really good dog outside, too . . . when she's on her own.

I sometimes think Stella wants to be an only child. And as an only child, I think she has the potential to rival Zoe in the good dog category. It's just when she's with the pack that she becomes Cujo.

Anyway, last night she did really well. It has been over a year since she and I finished her basic training and she managed to remember more than I thought she would. And we started working on the "heel" position. The trainer, Val, who knows Stella, decided to demonstrate the command with Stella and she did so well I joked that Val switched dogs outside the training room.

Obediently, Stella also ran my maintenance run this morning. I'm starting to wonder if I need to change routes. She seems to "stall" at the same place every run now. It's very strange. Still, we got our 3 in and I'm off to my P90X in about an hour.

Obedience training is really about training the master, not the dog. Most of the time it has to do with being calm, assertive, and patient while you get the dog to do what you expect of it. Oh how I need to apply this to my life!

Take a recent problem with my oven.

I have a gorgeous, state-of-the-art kitchen. But several weeks ago, my oven wasn't closing and in one final attempt to get it to close, I dislodged the locking mechanism. So now the oven wasn't closing - or working at all!

Well, I have a home warrenty, so I called and scheduled a visit from a repairman. Now, has it always been this way, or is it a new phenomena that repair men give you a time RANGE in which they'll show up? Seriously, I was told the guy could be there between 1 - 5 pm. Ummm . . . I have a job . . . this is nearly impossible for me. Well, I agreed and was told I'd be called when he was 30 minutes from getting there.

So I brought my phone to class with me and sure enough he called in the middle of it. I hate this because I have strict cell phone rules in my classes, but I explained the necessity before class began and dealt with it in the moment. Of course, it was 11:30 and he said he'd be there at noon. Excuse me? NO. I politely reminded him that he was scheduled between 1 and 5 and I couldn't be there at noon. Well he got pissy but checked and said he'd be there at 1. So I politely asked if he could please come at 1:30 instead so I could finish teaching my class (you know - the one he had so rudely interrupted to begin with). He grumbled, but finally agreed. There is an instance of my being the alpha dog. I was calm and assertive. Good girl!

So the guy shows up, I point out the latch and all, and he mumbles a few things and says he's ORDERED the parts and needs to schedule an appointment to FIX the oven. WTF??? FINE. So I schedule something for this past Saturday, forgetting I'm going to be in Toad Suck. Fortunately for me, I have a pet-sitter extraordinaire and her fabulous boyfriend said he'd stick around to meet with guy.

So I got home from my trip and there was a receipt and a note saying all was well. I was relieved, but made a stir-fry shrimp and tofu dish and didn't test the oven.

Last night, however, I wanted to fix a pizza real quick before I took Stella to class. I go to pre-heat the oven and lo-and-behold I get a "close door" message from the oven!!!! Are you KIDDING ME???

Sure enough, the latch I had so meticulously pointed out to the repair man had not even been REPLACED.

Seething, I called the repair number and started raging about the job. Part way through my rage, I remembered "calm and assertive" and apologized to the girl on the other end and carefully made my complaint. She agreed with me, but after taking all my information down and whatnot, she said I needed to call the home warranty people FIRST!!

I am fit to be tied here. So I called and waited, and waited, and waited . . . on hold . . . for many long minutes. Finally I spoke to somebody and she said they needed to do an estimate and then get back to me . . . via phone . . . sometime today. So once again, I leave my phone on during my class, against my own rules.

Guess who hasn't called?

This means I'm back on the phone again tonight - and still with no oven.

Any chance I'll be calm, assertive, or patient? Hell no. Any chance they'll do what I expect of them. Hell no.

Guess I need more obedience training!

Toad Suck Dazed and Confused

This weekend I went to a recruiting event for my University in Conway, Arkansas: a.k.a. Toad Suck. Yup. Toad Suck.

I am still recovering from my trip on many levels.

First, I was pleasantly surprised by a number of the students who auditioned. Of course there is talent everywhere, but I frankly wasn't expecting to call back quite so many students in a place known as Toad Suck. What would YOU have expected?

Secondly, I was impressed by Mike's Place, the restaurant where Dr. Bob and I ate dinner on Friday night. The trip down took us through some very poor, very rural areas and to be perfectly honest it was depressing me. I honestly wondered, even in a college town, if our choices were going to be Huddle House (remember THAT story faithful readers?) or Pizza Hut. However, Conway has gone through a little revitalization and the downtown area is becoming a new destination for the inhabitants of that little hamlet. Mike's Place is clearly THE SPOT because even in that town we waited for nearly an hour to eat. Fortunately, there were a couple spots at the bar so Dr. Bob and I enjoyed a libation and chatted. I enjoyed the ambiance and was also surprised by the number of what appeared to be 30 somethings there who had all their teeth also enjoying a drink or two. Dr. Bob and I were eventually seated and we both enjoyed a fine meal.

However, our accommodations were not quite as nice. Now, we stayed at a Best Western, so it was clean and all, but around 3 AM was when the red-necks in raised trucks decided to return from wherever THEY had been partaking and proceeded to yell at each other for a good 15 minutes right outside my door. I scared them away by opening my curtains (I'm sure I look damn scary at 3 AM) so I was relieved I didn't have to call the front desk. Not that they would have done anything, if their "service" the next morning was any indication.

Dr. Bob had spent some time down in Conway in his early career and so he went to visit a couple of friends early Saturday morning. I got up, and since there was no fitness room (I KNOW!), I just went to breakfast. We had been promised it was quite a spread the night before, but don't believe everything you hear. When I arrived, all I could rummage up was a bagel and an orange. I shouldn't complain, but I really wanted some protein, as I anticipated a long day ahead of me. There wasn't even any coffee!!! Well, when the front desk staff was approached, she seemed a little put out that she had to make more coffee . . . and when we asked if there were any more eggs, she said she'd check. About 15 minutes later the coffee appeared, but there was no answer on the eggs. She was asked AGAIN and about another 15 minutes later she said there would be no more eggs. Really? I waited 30 minutes for nothing? SIGH.

Now, I was incredibly disappointed by the lack of a fitness room because I was supposed to get in my 5 miles on Saturday. I accepted the fact that it would have to wait until Sunday . . . but I was pretty grumpy about it. Especially since Saturday was indeed a really long day and my bagel and orange had to sustain me for 8 hours or so.

I did get out Sunday morning with Stella and all was going well until we were just beyond the 4 mile mark. Then my drill sergeant grew weary and began to protest the extra mile. Seriously, she pretty much stopped and refused to run another step. It was all I could do to get her to walk the final bit back to the house. SIGH. So I didn't make my full mileage.

That also meant running this morning wouldn't happen so my whole schedule is screwed up. I'm going to try to run tomorrow morning, but it will mean a two workout day with my P90X class. I'll let you know how THAT goes. And my running schedule won't improve for a few weeks. I have on-campus auditions this weekend, next weekend I'm in KC for another recruitment even and then I'll be in Colorado for several days. I'm excited to ski, but I'm not sure how much running I'll get in (I'm bringing my shoes damn it).

So I'm a bit Dazed and Confused in regards to my running schedule. Still, I suppose being able to say I made it to Toad Suck is worth it.

Sergeant Stella

So this morning I slept a little later than I intended. Maybe it was the sore throat, maybe it was my plaguing fatigue, or maybe it was both. Or maybe it was Tuesday's P90X plyometrics and my whole lower body was still sore!

I don't teach until 11 AM on Thursdays, however I do like to get to campus at a reasonable hour. So as I was dressing to walk the dogs, I was debating running.

The walk took about an hour as well - the dogs were enjoying a little sunshine and were taking their time - so by the time I got back, I had pretty much talked myself out of my maintenance run for the morning. I was telling myself I would get it in this evening after work.

I always unleash the dogs in the yard and then they can stay outside for a bit if they like. Stella followed me in and right to the where I hang the leashes. As I was hanging them up, feeling a little guilty about not running, Stella sat down and looked right at me, quivering a whole body quiver. The following is my recollection of our exchange:

Me: "What?"

Stella: Quiver.

Me: "What is it?"

Stella: Quiver.

Me: "What - you want to run?"

Stella: Quiver. Quiver.

Me: "You WANT to run?"

Stella: Hits me with a boxing paw.

You get the picture. Stella was insisting we go for a run! I couldn't believe it. So I looked at the clock and relented. Stella was right, after all. I'm not so good at afternoon/evening running; I usually find some sort of excuse to keep me from doing it. And she was determined to get it done.

So I quick changed my jacket, called the other dogs in, crated the little guys, and gave treats all around. Then I put Stella's gentle leader on (she was so excited she sat still - a rarity) and we were on our way. Stella sprinted down the driveway! Well, my plyometric-pained legs started screaming at me, so I had to negotiate a different pace with my dog-turned-drill-sergeant. We finally found one we could both agree on and settled in.

It was not easy, but I ran my 3 miles.

And I'm still very sore. But I'm also very grateful to my new and enthusiastic trainer for helping me get it done.

Good dog!

Fat Tuesday and Fatigue

They're partying it up in NOLA today. I've never been there for Mardi Gras . . . but it's on the list. I love a good party and they seem to really do it right.

Of course, you'd never know I was a party girl of late. Seriously, I'm like Ma Kettle or Sleeping Beauty. I go to bed early and though I often rise early, my body is crying out to stay in bed. It's pretty ridiculous.

I have had a battle with fatigue off and on for several years now. I used to be fine on 5 hours a night and there were times in my life when I got less (grad school, for sure - but I remember many all night parties during a certain production of R&J). I honestly don't know what's happened to me. Is it age? Is it something else? If so, what? Last year I had my thyroid checked, but apparently sometimes you can have normal hormone levels and still have hypothyroidism. The more I read about it, the more concerned I am I might have it. And I'm not a hypochondriac by nature.

Of course, I also consume a fair amount of caffeine. Granted, it's not even close to what I used to consume, but it's not very healthy and might contribute to my fatigue. I should really do another detox, but I need a good week of free time for that so the earliest will be June.

Don't get me wrong, I still manage to get stuff done, but all I crave is sleep. It's a strange place for me to be.

Still, it's not keeping me from going out tonight! The Artist and I (and maybe others) are going to enjoy a little Mardi Gras of our own. I'll get my P90X done, go home to the critters real quick, and then head out. And though I've promised to not earn any beads the traditional way, who knows what might happen?

Three Day Weekend

Today is Presidents Day and a holiday for me. Not that too many presidents of the past deserve a day of honor, but knowing this is really supposed to be called Washington's Birthday I'll let it slide.

I'm not going to complain about an extra day off. I was ready for it after last week's dossier madness.

This morning, I got up and like Saturday, it was snowing when I took the dogs for their walk. Unlike last Saturday, when Stella and I hit the road for our maintenance run (3 miles), it was still snowing. And blowing. And COLD. Holy crap was it cold!

In fact, I spent the first 1.5 miles debating only going 2. But, I'm really trying to live up to the "no excuses" attitude I adopted early in the year, and I made myself go the full 3.

Now, I'm generally a fair weather runner. And this runs in my family. I spoke to my brother yesterday, and he ran 5.5 Saturday and said it was miserable. It was 30 degrees - boo hoo! He's so spoiled by the Atlanta weather! Still, like him, I like optimum conditions when I run.

When I got back from my run, with no feeling in my feet, fingers, or face, I decided to check the Weather Channel. Well, the air temperature was just at 10 degrees and the wind chill was 1. Yes, 1 degree above zero. I'd swear it dipped below that zero mark a few times on our run.

People who live in Minneapolis or Chicago or Detroit and run all winter are either dedicated or mentally deranged. I'm going for the second. Seriously, do you just get used to it? 'Cause as I was running, I had trouble keeping my legs warm and it made me feel like I was running with lead legs. NOT FUN. And not something I'd want to get used to!

Still, I did it. And so did Stella with no complaints. Even when, during our last mile, we were running switchbacks that kept us facing the wind every other quarter-mile or so.

So today I try to enjoy the last day of my three day weekend. Funny, though, how you never really take the break, isn't it? I mean, I have managed to fill each day with chores, and errands, all sorts of things on my long "to-do" list. When really, I'd much rather be sitting in front of my fire, reading a good book.

SIGH. And, I've been trying to keep some kind of bug away. I've had a slightly sore throat for four days now. Fortunately, it hasn't good worse. Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten better.

What is it about taking time off - really off - that's so difficult for so many of us? Now, my current excuse would be that I got back to campus 3 weeks into a semester already in progress and I've been catching up ever since. But what about those times when you really don't have an excuse? What makes me mop my basement floor instead of reading or watching a silly movie? If I knew, maybe I'd be able to change my pattern.

Still, I did make some really amazing soup yesterday. So that was kind of a gift to me. And tonight I'm meeting a colleague for happy hour at a fun downtown spot.

Tomorrow, it's back to the grind on campus. And back to P90X. And by Friday, I'm sure I'll be ready for another three day weekend! Instead I get to go to Arkansas for a recruitment event. Whoopie!

How Stella Found Her Groove

Well, Stella and I got in 4 miles today. Yup, even Stella managed to stay with me to the bitter end. I think I can make a distance dog out of her yet.

I wasn't sure how it was going to go when I first got up. As usual, I let the dogs out, then fed them, then got ready to walk them. As we embarked on our usual 2 mile walk, it started to snow. No big deal. By the time we reached the half-way point, it was really coming down. The streets were quickly disappearing under a blanket of the white stuff and when we hit the 3/4 mark, it was snowing so hard I had to keep my head down. I was surprised by it, and didn't enjoy getting it in my eyes, but otherwise enjoyed it. It was sure pretty and everything appears so peaceful.

We got home and I had to change my jacket as well as get the little dogs in their crates. When Stella and I left for the run, it had stopped. So much for pretty and peaceful. Now it was just messy.

But we went on our way. Now, as it is Springfield and I am the pied-piper, I saw a stray dog along the run. I tried to call it to me, but it was too scared and trotted off the other way. I know, I know - no more dogs! But I just can't run past a loose animal and not TRY.

Stella was a trooper. About the half-way point, she wavered a little . . . but then she saw another dog and suddenly her energy was up and she was raring to go. Of course, for Stella the increase in energy was to attack the dog . . . but I reigned her in and when we passed the dog, she found her groove. After that, it was like she'd been running with me all her life.

It's hard leaving Zoe behind; and Zoe gets a little jealous when we leave (so did the little boys, but they get over it quickly). But I know it's best for all to leave Zoe here and take Stella along.

So next maintenance run is Monday morning. It's a long weekend for me - hurrah! Of course, that doesn't mean I won't be working.

Still, it feels good to be finding a routine again. And now that she's found it, let's hope Stella doesn't loose her groove.

The Dog Ate My Homework and Other Excuses

So last night I finished up the last of my dossier documents. It was about 9 PM and I was feeling relieved that the work was done and I could turn the academic scrapbook in without embarrassment. The building was quiet, either my colleagues had finished their work or were putting the final touches on at home.

I had been saving my work all along with the intent to print at the very end of the project. So I brought up the first and hit "print." Suddenly an error box appeared on my screen. Now, I've seen these before, and never worried about them, so I hit "send report" (assuming somebody, probably in India, would get the message some day) expecting the box to go away and for me to try to print again successfully.

WRONG.

I hit "send report" and everything disappeared! I nearly fainted. I'm certain I said something . . . probably along the lines of "WTF?" Once I calmed myself, I opened Word up and, fortunately, my documents had been recovered and I could save them . . . just not print them.

So I typed a quick e-mail to my Department Head and his assistant explaining my situation. I had to laugh as I sent it along . . . I suddenly felt like a student using technology failure as an excuse for not getting a homework assignment done on time.

This morning I e-mailed all the documents that needed printing to the assistant and got my work done. And it appears the "error" with Word has magically been fixed today (maybe that somebody in India took care of it!). Whew!

Still, there was a time when I thought I was going to have to tell the Personnel Committee, "my dog ate it" (seriously, I've got four of them and one's a pit bull mix - who would doubt me?)!

Tenure, Merit & Review - Oh My!

It is finally here. The time to turn in our dossiers for merit and review . . . even though there is no money for merit pay or promotion. It is right now that I question my new career choice.

For those of you who don't know, putting together your dossier is like documenting your life for the past twelve months in every conceivable way that would apply to your teaching, service, and creative/scholarly work.

It's kind of like scrap-booking academia style.

I'm quite serious. You must save every scrap of evidence that you have been productive for the year. And then you get to write about it! So you explain your value and then prove it with all your scraps of stuff.

It's like having to reapply for the job your in again - only much harder.

Now, I like my job and want to keep it, but this process makes me want to run screaming for the hills. Since this is my first attempt at my dossier, I have asked advice of tenured and those ahead of me in the tenure process for advice. What I get from each is as different as the individual I ask! I'm so frustrated.

I feel I have done a pretty good job at keeping track of my work, and then I look at a colleague's dossier (who, granted, went up for tenure just this past semester) and about have a heart attack. I read others' letters of application (yes, like I said, reapplying for my freaking job) and want to cry.

I know I just need to bite the bullet and get it done. I'm wasting time and energy fretting about it. But in spite of me saying "I don't care what the committee thinks," I do. I want to put a strong first foot forward and I don't want them worrying about my contributions in any area. I just resent the process and consequently avoid it.

Time is running out. They are due tomorrow so at some point today I'm going to have to just deal with it.

OH MY!

Following Impulses

Okay, so in my more specific goal of running my 7th marathon this year, I also have a more general goal of getting back into shape. I have actually been doing a workout DVD at home on my non-run days, but I was getting bored and frankly wasn't having near enough fun. I had seen some ads on TV for other DVDs and was even debating a purchase, when my school Health & Wellness Program advertised a P90X CLASS.

Well, I had heard my students raving about P90X so I thought it would be worth checking out. On impulse, I contacted the H&W coordinator and she said before I could participate I had to take a fitness test. Really? Just to participate? Apparently.

That gave me pause.

But I decided to go for it anyway. I went for my fitness test and the first thing I had to do was a pull-up! WTF? I couldn't even do pull-ups in elementary, and I sure as hell can't do them now! From there I had to do wall sits, and a jump test, and push-ups (those I CAN do), and a bunch of those really hard "crunches" where you have to keep both legs up and your back up and BALANCE as you do them, and a load of jumping jacks.

By the time I finished the test, I wasn't sure I wanted to join a fitness program that required me to be fit in the first place! Still, I passed, and made the commitment to particpate (I had nothing to lose - it was free!).

So last night was our first workout. I arrived with a great deal of fear and trepidation after the fitness test. There were 18 of us, mostly men, and our instructor - I'll call him JJ - handed out these NOTEBOOKS full of information about the program and what to eat and when. This was NOT alleviating my fears, but I was kind of excited about having some plan on how to eat. Then we started with a cardio program. I really liked the beginning as it used a lot of yoga and I had been missing a regular yoga practice (I may try to find a Sunday morning class still). Then we progressed to more intense exercises. I was able to keep up most of the time, but they did this thing called a Dreya roll and that's when I just laughed. I'm hoping I'll eventually figure it out.

Now, I was very worried I wouldn't be able to move this morning, so later last night I took a whirlpool bath (love my tub!) in hopes that it would help. I'm happy to report that, though I do feel the major muscle groups today, I am not immobilized by pain. Whew!

Of course, the food thing is another issue. I managed to have some good choices for dinner last night - a vegetarian chicken replacement (considered ultra-lean) and some steamed veggies. And breakfast was all right as well with cereal and fruit. But when I took a good look at the breakdown in proteins, carbs, etc. I discovered my carb addiction cannot be fed on this plan. SIGH. At least, not for a few weeks. In fact, I'm going to have to figure out how to get all the protein suggested! Perhaps this weekend I'll spend some time looking for recipes that utilize the recommended protein sources. If I can remain enthusiastic about the program, perhaps I can break myself of my convenience food eating and start cooking more.

I only have a few complaints thus far. First, though JJ is enthusiastic, he just does the workout with us instead of helping us get the moves down or correct our form (in fact, based on a few moves I saw him do, his form isn't good). Also, I wish they had measured us so we could do a before/after comparison. Finally, though you do warm up quickly, the room is a little chilly and that's no so good at the start or finish of any workout.

Still, most things being positive right now, I'm going back. Tonight is our second night and we will be working out 3 nights a week. This fits in great with my running program, although I'll have to switch up one of my running days. I just need to get Stella on the band-wagon.

This is one impulse I hope to keep following!

The Year of Marathon Seven?

I cannot believe it has been FOUR MONTHS since my last post. SIGH. I think since I don't have a specific race, and a charity one at that, I just don't make the time like I used to.

Well, maybe things are about to change. My brother and sister-in-law are planning on running the Kentucky Derby 1/2 Marathon in April and have asked me to join them. I haven't committed to it yet since I'm not sure what my school schedule will be like (it's so close to the end of the semester - a NUTTY time for me). Still, I am looking ahead as if I'll run the race.

Now, I ran this race with my brother way back in . . . 2006 was it? Sheesh. I generally prefer to run NEW races, but at this point I need ANY race to get me back into shape.

Part of my training plan is to teach Stella, my pit/boxer mix, to be my running partner. So far, she is reluctant. This morning we managed 3 miles, but I had to work pretty hard to keep her going for the last mile. To be fair, she has no stamina built up and it's quite possible either breed is not good at distances. And frankly, all other dogs will pale somewhat to my beloved Zoe. She helped me train for all of my previous marathons and half-marathons. She's a trooper. We ran one 15 miler together in the DC heat, with her running in and out of the water, and she was eager to play when we finished. So Stella has some pretty amazing paws to fill.

But I'm so out of shape myself I can't complain. I'm hoping to keep the three mile route as our maintenance run for the time being and continue to build our mileage on the weekends. We'll see. I think if I take it one mile at a time I can get there.

What has me most motivated is the chance that another full marathon may be possible this year! I am not directing in the calendar year (having directed the cursed Macbeth last fall and looking forward to The Beaux Strategem in Spring 2011) so I can get a little more rest at night. A few friends have put in their two cents, but I am inclined to run Tucson in December of this year.

There are a lot of good reasons. My good friend PhD (one of the Hula Ladies) is down there and the weather is nearly guaranteed nice. It's my birthday weekend and the 4th Avenue Street Fair will be going on. There are lots of nice spas (in case I want to treat myself) and my semester will be nearly over by the time the race runs. These are all great things!

Yes, I dream of more exotic locales. Paris is still on my list. And Spain. Hell, pretty much anywhere I haven't been will do! But, thinking realistically, this could be the perfect race. And I might be able to convince the remaining Hula Ladies - or others! - to join the fun.

So I'm looking ahead, not behind. The past does not equal the future and certainly I can get back into marathon shape by December.

So here's to 2010. The year of marathon 7!