Exercise has altered my brain chemistry. It's the only explanation I can think of. I mean, what else would drive me out to run at noon on a day with temperatures in the mid-80s, heat rising like a flame from the pavement and beating down from above? But head out we did (I wasn't the only crazy one) and decided on a 'hill' workout with two water breaks. Brilliant! The inevitable result: baked brains. Yummy!
So, in my heat-addled state, let me serve up some totally random things that have been nibbling at me, wanting to be in a post:
Baffling quotes:
1. Do mosquitoes bite ducks?
2. I refuse to get a cart. (referring to grocery shopping)
3. Why is it a 'jackrabbit' and not a 'tomrabbit'?
Interesting license plates:
1. JAH MON (on an Audi)
2. MSFASHN (on a Lexus SUV)
3. IS 52 (on a C-series Benz)
4. RAQOON (on a Toyota SUV)
Topics of conversation:
1. How weightlifting builds muscle.
2. How creatine works in building muscle.
(Can you tell I run with guys?)
3. What kind of earplugs are best for blocking out noisy neighbors.
Oh, I was going to eat that hill for lunch but instead it feasted on me. One does not mess with Mother Nature and she was having hot flashes today.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Travelling for Work
It's getting to be that time of the year again. Time to hit the road for the annual conference season - a high-tech dog and pony show where we show everyone how fine and dandy our web resource is and all the wonderful things that they can do with it.
Did I mention hitting the road? Yes, this means time away from the family. There is a certain appeal to the travel, if you don't count the actual time spent in the airports, cabs, planes and trains. I'm referring to those nights without being woken up by wails of "MAAMAAAAA!" or the ghostly specter of one of the two boys in the doorway, just standing there. From past experience, I do miss my guys but I'm usually way too busy to think and, before I know it, I'm back on a plane headed back home.
So now I'm flying for Chicago at the beginning of July and because I have to give a presentation on three separate days, which are spread out over four days, I have to be away for five nights. Grumble. I don't like being away that long.
Time to surf the airline webpages trying to find the ideal flight schedule/fare combination. Jeepers, wasn't this supposed to SAVE us time and effort by putting the information at our fingertips? I've just been the biggest waffler in the world for the past week because I can't decide whether I want to leave in the early afternoon so as to get to Chicago by early evening local time or whether I want to leave in the evening CA time so I can see the kids before I go to the airport - but this means I get to O'Hare at just past midnight and to the hotel at some godforsaken hour. Waffle, waffle, waffle. You know, sometimes it's really nice having three airports to choose from when flying in or out of the Bay Area but, this very second, the combinations are driving me batty! Fly out of Oakland but return to SFO. Fly out of San Jose and return to Oakland. Do I want to fly through Denver or fly direct? That's really a no-brainer - fly NONSTOP!
Thirty minutes later.... Done!
I've already checked out the hotel website and they do have FREE high-speed wireless. I hear there's also a nice big lake to run by/swim in close by :) and I'm positive that there's got to be an aikido dojo not too far away. I'm guessing my bag will be half full of work clothes and half full of running/swimming/aiki gear. Oh, and there is that matter of the conference, guess I'll have to slap together a presentation for that too.
This is going to fly by so quickly.
Did I mention hitting the road? Yes, this means time away from the family. There is a certain appeal to the travel, if you don't count the actual time spent in the airports, cabs, planes and trains. I'm referring to those nights without being woken up by wails of "MAAMAAAAA!" or the ghostly specter of one of the two boys in the doorway, just standing there. From past experience, I do miss my guys but I'm usually way too busy to think and, before I know it, I'm back on a plane headed back home.
So now I'm flying for Chicago at the beginning of July and because I have to give a presentation on three separate days, which are spread out over four days, I have to be away for five nights. Grumble. I don't like being away that long.
Time to surf the airline webpages trying to find the ideal flight schedule/fare combination. Jeepers, wasn't this supposed to SAVE us time and effort by putting the information at our fingertips? I've just been the biggest waffler in the world for the past week because I can't decide whether I want to leave in the early afternoon so as to get to Chicago by early evening local time or whether I want to leave in the evening CA time so I can see the kids before I go to the airport - but this means I get to O'Hare at just past midnight and to the hotel at some godforsaken hour. Waffle, waffle, waffle. You know, sometimes it's really nice having three airports to choose from when flying in or out of the Bay Area but, this very second, the combinations are driving me batty! Fly out of Oakland but return to SFO. Fly out of San Jose and return to Oakland. Do I want to fly through Denver or fly direct? That's really a no-brainer - fly NONSTOP!
Thirty minutes later.... Done!
I've already checked out the hotel website and they do have FREE high-speed wireless. I hear there's also a nice big lake to run by/swim in close by :) and I'm positive that there's got to be an aikido dojo not too far away. I'm guessing my bag will be half full of work clothes and half full of running/swimming/aiki gear. Oh, and there is that matter of the conference, guess I'll have to slap together a presentation for that too.
This is going to fly by so quickly.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
A Quote for Sunday
"You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need."
-Vernon Howard
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Dirty Jobs
You might have some of these: tasks that you've been meaning to do for a long time (weeks, months, even years) and just don't seem to get around to because (a) they're no fun at all, (b) they involve getting really dirty or (c) both. Well, I checked three of those off the list today:
1. Clean out refrigerator. That funky smell finally got to us. M started the job off by clearing everything out and I finished it off by giving the insides a good seeing to. There was some dried sausage in there from 2003! It wasn't covered with mold but, somehow, I still don't think I could bring myself to eat it. Out!
2. Wash cushions on glider. Oh dear, dare I confess that we've never washed these in the entire seven years that we've owned the thing? OK, I confess (cringe). I did my best impression of a grape stomper in the bathtub while washing them out because they just don't fit into our washer (hence our excuse of never having done this before). You don't want to know how dirty the water was but they are oh-so-clean and fresh-smelling now.
3. Do some bike maintenance. My poor bike! It's been years since I gave it a cleaning. Today was the day. A couple of hours later, I had a cleaner bike and a much dirtier yet happier me.
There is something deeply satisfying about cleaning up, isn't there? Maybe not while you're doing it, but definitely when you're all done.
1. Clean out refrigerator. That funky smell finally got to us. M started the job off by clearing everything out and I finished it off by giving the insides a good seeing to. There was some dried sausage in there from 2003! It wasn't covered with mold but, somehow, I still don't think I could bring myself to eat it. Out!
2. Wash cushions on glider. Oh dear, dare I confess that we've never washed these in the entire seven years that we've owned the thing? OK, I confess (cringe). I did my best impression of a grape stomper in the bathtub while washing them out because they just don't fit into our washer (hence our excuse of never having done this before). You don't want to know how dirty the water was but they are oh-so-clean and fresh-smelling now.
3. Do some bike maintenance. My poor bike! It's been years since I gave it a cleaning. Today was the day. A couple of hours later, I had a cleaner bike and a much dirtier yet happier me.
There is something deeply satisfying about cleaning up, isn't there? Maybe not while you're doing it, but definitely when you're all done.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Don't Think, Just Do
Ugh. Today's class started out with R Sensei asking me to get up in front of the class to demonstrate a back roll. (Presumably for the benefit of the brand-new student who came for the first time - he picked the wrong person.) Stage fright set in and I did it incorrectly, FOUR FREAKING TIMES!! Good grief! Go over the shoulder opposite to the leg that goes down first! In the effort to do the rolls well, I thought too much about the process and imploded. Sigh. The rest of the class reminded me that shouldn't think that much.
After working on a set of techniques (tsuki kotegaeshi, tsuki kokyu nage, tsuki irimi nage), the rest of the class sat down in seiza to watch two of the higher ranked students do a little free-style practice. This is always very cool to watch because it's done at full speed and, at the higher ranks, you can really see why aikido is a martial art. There's innovation, split-second timing and the evidence that repetition does result in muscle memory. Cease to think about the response, you just do. It's all about practice. Practice, practice, practice.
In the meantime, to feel better, I can always do front rolls, which I love.
After working on a set of techniques (tsuki kotegaeshi, tsuki kokyu nage, tsuki irimi nage), the rest of the class sat down in seiza to watch two of the higher ranked students do a little free-style practice. This is always very cool to watch because it's done at full speed and, at the higher ranks, you can really see why aikido is a martial art. There's innovation, split-second timing and the evidence that repetition does result in muscle memory. Cease to think about the response, you just do. It's all about practice. Practice, practice, practice.
In the meantime, to feel better, I can always do front rolls, which I love.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
School's (Almost) Out For Summer
Next Thursday is D's last day of school. First grade will be done with. I don't know who is going to heave the biggest sigh of relief: D, his teacher, or us, his parents. It's been quite a year. Let's just say that there have been issues with paying attention, wandering around the classroom, not listening to instructions - and I'm not talking about his teacher.
Somehow, D has managed to learn his math facts (to 20) along the way - well, mostly. He can write descriptive and narrative paragraphs. He's reading up a storm and loves books. He's collected an impressive number of pink slips (that's code for misbehavior citations) but has also earned a few blue ones (aka merit slips).
I know he's been under stress in class. Hmmmm, maybe it was the 'I hate school! I don't want to go to school." refrain that I've heard at least once a week.
I don't know. Is it just me or are kids required to know much more at a much younger age these days than when we were kids? Tonight at dinner, D was telling me that he was learning fractions in class. I can't remember when I learned fractions but I'm pretty sure it wasn't first grade. At this rate, there will be AP Calculus by fourth grade. Good grief. I can tell you this: requiring kids to know things by the end of the first grade isn't going to magically happen if these children are not yet mature enough process that type of information. We can drill them into submission and regurgitation of facts but is that really what we want? Is it?
Last Sunday, I was reading a really interesting opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle about testing for second graders in CA. I agree and think expectations are too high. Kids just need to be kids, especially six- and seven-year olds. Sure, we want to instill good study habits early but is all this drilling going to result in a love of learning? I don't think so. This is the time to make learning an enjoyable challenge. I bet those people who setting the learning standards are far removed from remembering what a 7 or 8 year old is like.
Hurray for summer and the freedom it brings. Yes, we'll still be reading and writing and doing some math (I'm not crazy - "Use it or lose it" is definitely a factor.) but, without the threat of testing hanging over our heads, we are going to have fun along the way.
Somehow, D has managed to learn his math facts (to 20) along the way - well, mostly. He can write descriptive and narrative paragraphs. He's reading up a storm and loves books. He's collected an impressive number of pink slips (that's code for misbehavior citations) but has also earned a few blue ones (aka merit slips).
I know he's been under stress in class. Hmmmm, maybe it was the 'I hate school! I don't want to go to school." refrain that I've heard at least once a week.
I don't know. Is it just me or are kids required to know much more at a much younger age these days than when we were kids? Tonight at dinner, D was telling me that he was learning fractions in class. I can't remember when I learned fractions but I'm pretty sure it wasn't first grade. At this rate, there will be AP Calculus by fourth grade. Good grief. I can tell you this: requiring kids to know things by the end of the first grade isn't going to magically happen if these children are not yet mature enough process that type of information. We can drill them into submission and regurgitation of facts but is that really what we want? Is it?
Last Sunday, I was reading a really interesting opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle about testing for second graders in CA. I agree and think expectations are too high. Kids just need to be kids, especially six- and seven-year olds. Sure, we want to instill good study habits early but is all this drilling going to result in a love of learning? I don't think so. This is the time to make learning an enjoyable challenge. I bet those people who setting the learning standards are far removed from remembering what a 7 or 8 year old is like.
Hurray for summer and the freedom it brings. Yes, we'll still be reading and writing and doing some math (I'm not crazy - "Use it or lose it" is definitely a factor.) but, without the threat of testing hanging over our heads, we are going to have fun along the way.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Caught on Film!
It's finally happened. After almost 18 years of driving, I've gotten my first ticket. Ever.
Sigh.
It was one of those Saturday morning surprises where I opened my mail, wondering why the Traffic Enforcement Office was writing to me. Looky-loo! A nice set of photographs showing someone, who was most definitely me, driving a car that was most definitely ours, turning right at a red light without coming to a complete stop.
The 'bail' for this violation? $361. THREE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE DOLLARS!!!!!! Good grief! It practically erases all the gas money that we've tried to save by driving our more fuel-efficient car most of the time. Grrrrrrrr.
So, it's off to court for me, or I can pay the bail and request to attend traffic school to keep the point off of my licence. Apparently I can do the traffic school online. Hey, I'm all about online courses. Sign me up, sir. But I still have to pay up.
Double sigh.
Then I started reading the fine print. It says: "...On Wednesday, May 30, 2007, I placed this Notice to Appear in an envelope addressed to the registered owner, lessee, or identified driver as shown above, sealed it, and deposited the envelope in a United States Postal service receptacle..." (boldface mine)
Now, the envelope arrived at my house unsealed and with no noticeable wetting of the envelope glue. My privacy has been violated! Do you think I can get off on a technicality?
Sigh.
It was one of those Saturday morning surprises where I opened my mail, wondering why the Traffic Enforcement Office was writing to me. Looky-loo! A nice set of photographs showing someone, who was most definitely me, driving a car that was most definitely ours, turning right at a red light without coming to a complete stop.
The 'bail' for this violation? $361. THREE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE DOLLARS!!!!!! Good grief! It practically erases all the gas money that we've tried to save by driving our more fuel-efficient car most of the time. Grrrrrrrr.
So, it's off to court for me, or I can pay the bail and request to attend traffic school to keep the point off of my licence. Apparently I can do the traffic school online. Hey, I'm all about online courses. Sign me up, sir. But I still have to pay up.
Double sigh.
Then I started reading the fine print. It says: "...On Wednesday, May 30, 2007, I placed this Notice to Appear in an envelope addressed to the registered owner, lessee, or identified driver as shown above, sealed it, and deposited the envelope in a United States Postal service receptacle..." (boldface mine)
Now, the envelope arrived at my house unsealed and with no noticeable wetting of the envelope glue. My privacy has been violated! Do you think I can get off on a technicality?
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