miscellaneous, but what isn't

fun/funny website

Feeling good about democratic party. Not crazy about Hillary, but appreciative of her magnanimity. Didn't like Bill while he was prez, but post-prez was doing great until he tried to get his wife elected. I figure he is still trying to make amends to her. Too bad he screwed it up! I really really really really hope Barack Obama becomes our president for the next 8 years. It will be the only way the US can continue to show its face in the world. John McCain seems like a nice person, and what a life he has had, but I don't want him to continue the beehive poking in the Middle East, and he seems determined to do so.
HH is feeling better, but is not cured from his acid reflux. It is extremely sad to see him upset.
We started a bedtime routine last Saturday night. 1. Get naked 2. Bath with lavendar Aveeno baby body wash 3. Sleep sack 4. Relaxing music - I made a CD 5. Ad lib food. Tonight he has gone to sleep 3x, but this last time has stayed asleep for an hour. His max sleep time was 7 hours, but that was a TOTAL fluke. His normal max is 4 hours. I am trying to stretch him to 5. I think once he can eat better during the day, he will be able to go longer at night.
Tomorrow starts some new classes at the J. We are changing the early spinning class to a "cardio" class. I am thinking there will be some rebellion. I thought we would do some kick-boxing. Everyone gets into punching in the mirror.
Selling some old board games on eBay. Found one similar to one I have buy it now for $54. Wouldn't that be nice. They must have been put somewhere I couldn't reach, or I couldn't get anyone to play with me. Brad said having siblings did not facilitate playing board games, either. Well, I hope Hank does get a board game partner, but I guess it's not a done deal that they will play together.
Coaching at Canyon Creek for 6 weeks. The sweet kids. I love working with/for Don. I also liked working for Steve, but this team is an entirely different animal - only a 6 week season, 2 intramural meets that only last 3 hours, and the kids are less skilled, but very very sweet.
Someday maybe I can swim at Lost Creek, again. I miss wanting to swim 5000 m. I have been lucky to swim 2x/week, and if I can make myself stay in 2000 yards, it's a success.
Even before the kid, my motivation to exercise changed. When I was doing triathlons, I think I was highly motivated by anxiety. Once I stopped being plagued by anxiety, I stopped going on 5 hour bike rides. I was still swimming a lot, but it was purely for the joy of 400 IM. I think if I could swim in the morning, I could get back into 5000 m, but if I swim in the afternoon, I have a really hard time being energetic, and for some reason my brain will not stay in the water.
It's inconvenient that Brad and I are both morning exercisers. I think we are both doing fine, though. Neither one of us has become obese or developed type II diabetes or heart disease. Well, I take that back, I could be overweight. I probably am. I don't feel huge, but I am still 15 pounds heavier than my normal. I'm fairly cool with that.
Hank is training to be a security guard. He likes to hold keys, stand around, and check all the doors.

found cat

courtesy of EBM

Blue eyes high chair

good points

re: Olympics

hardly a disaster

I just want to say, for the record, that the grounding of 500 or however many American Airlines flights is hardly a "disaster." I just saw the news with interviews of "stranded" travelers. Yes, it sucks, it's annoying, it's an inconvenience, but it's not a disaster. Noone even has a hangnail over not being able to fly on an American Airlines plane exactly when they want to. And, I would really rather they go ahead with the safety inspections than fly. Duh.

my hip hop band

if the bluegrass meredith miller family band doesn't take off, I am going to have a hip hop duo, dj lightshow and hot chocolate. I'm dj lightshow. And, yes, I will have to find someone who is black to fill the role of hot chocolate. we'll use correct grammar and irony.

here's some pics of the kid.

Lost tense

"Don't you wish your girlfriend were hot like I [am]."
No, it doesn't have quite the same ring, but I think we should use the subjunctive tense.
I am trying out for The Search for the next Pussycat Doll and trying the new version out.

Variation on another acronym

WUWF - woke up while farting. I hate it when that happens.

Awesome. Someone googled TXTing acronyms, and the first page was my first batch. OK, OUR first batch. These are really going to catch on!!!

Normally, I'm a nice person,

but I hope the 22 year old singer/songwriter who got the first impression rose on the runway model-date gets booted next show. A) She is giving singer/songwriters a bad rap, and B) She is WAY too young-acting for him. He needs a sophisticated woman who knows about bowing to antiquity. I am currently betting on the woman he gave the very first first impression rose to - the one who gets hiccups. That's sweet.

Before & After

One more TXT

IBEAD - I've been eating all day.

TXTing acronyms

WUWP - woke up while pooping
FAWE - fell asleep while eating.
You're welcome!

Listen to the songs

Looking for an indoor pool in Austin, TX

I went to the J to swim today. I swam Thursday (82˙) and Friday (80˙), and today the water was 78˙ = a big boo. To some (especially non-swimmers) this difference may sound negligible, but trust me, it is very noticeable. Especially being out of swimming shape, I get way too cold in 78˙ water. I tried 24 hour fitness this afternoon, which I thought would be perfect - it's got great hours, there was no one else swimming, and the water temperature was perfect. However, while I was swimming, 1 guy got in the water 2x after emerging, covered in sweat, from the sauna. EXTREMELY gross. Another guy did the same thing, but did stand under a water shower for about 10 seconds before getting in. It was especially gross because the pool is 3 lanes (small), and the water was salty. I couldn't tell if they didn't use chlorine, or if the saltiness was a result of these chaps' periodic dunking. Either way, I am not going back.
I don't want to get all the UV radiation swimming outside at the J, and I can't seem to get out of bed at 4:30 am to make it there when it opens so I can get back so Brad can go exercise, too. When he gets home, I am too tired and don't feel like swimming. I hate swimming in cold water, and at UT there is no where to park. Isn't this such a sad, luxury problem? Can anyone think of a good indoor pool somewhere near Lamar and 53rd St?
Lifetime fitness at 620 x Parmer has an indoor pool, but that is pretty damn far. Town Lake YMCA has one, but not very easy to get to. Brad and I talked about building a 25m lane in our driveway. Wouldn't that be awesome? We would also have to have a fence surrounding it to make it 4 feet by 26 yards. I also imagine a pool can't butt up to the road, so we might not make 25 meters.

For my homies etc

Recent News

China is stupid.
I think we should boycott the Olympics. (And the IOC should never have agreed to have them in CHINA.)
Dick Cheney doesn't care what we think. (OK, that's not news, but it happened, again.)
It's flooding in Texas, but not in Austin. TURN AROUND. Don't drown.
The kid is awesome.

The Year of the Rat

The kid and I share the same Chinese new year zodiac symbol - the rat. 1972 and 2008.

A New Earth

I have never read an Oprah book club book that I know of, but I started reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle so I could do her interactive class. It's pretty cool.

A new kind of coach

I am interested in becoming a wellness coach. I think my clients would benefit from this type of consultation. Thoughts?

Best way to change behavior

If you want to lose weight, stop smoking, etc., bet someone you will. The threat of losing money is a great motivator.

Olympic Swimmers at Texas Swim Center

Phelps, Crocker, Hansen, et al. were among swimmers at the TSC this weekend.
Pool records were broken. More world records have been broken at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center than at any other pool in the world.

5 weeks of cuteness

Leading Cause of Mortality in US

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has continued to identify the leading cause of mortality in the US as cardiovascular disease.
Smoking causes over 400,000 deaths per year in the US. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the US.

Daily PA

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has recommendations for physical activity for healthy adults under age 65:
Do moderately intense cardio 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
Or
Do vigorously intense cardio 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week
And
Do 8-10 strength-training exercises, 8-12 repetitions of each exercise 2x a week.

Moderate-intensity physical activity means working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat, yet still being able to carry on a conversation. It should be noted that to lose weight or maintain weight loss, 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity may be necessary. The 30-minute recommendation is for the average healthy adult to maintain health and reduce the risk for chronic disease.

Danskin Triathlon Austin

The Jewish Community Association of Austin is offering the 4th annual training class for the Austin Danskin Triathlon. Here is the weekly training schedule. You do not have to be a member of the JCAA, and it's not too late to sign up for the class.

Hwy 71 petition

Make Hwy 71 west of Austin safer by signing this online petition.

Heisman Trophy and Football Hold

TBBOAT 1 week+

The best baby of all time.
He just ate for about 1.5 hours, so, now I am awake and also hungry.
I think I have post partum elation. I think it's well deserved because I had prego depression. That was super stink a link. I feel better physically and mentally than I have in months. Wow.
Also, for the first and only time in my life I finally have the playboy bunny body I have always wanted. Not really that I have always wanted it, but my boobs are huge and I have a little pooch on my belly. It's funny.

2 Cubed = 8

There's a thing he does with his bottom lip that could get him the car for the weekend whenever he wants.
The whole thing is unbelievably incredible, just like everyone says.
FYI "let down" in breast feeding is not bad; it's good. It takes several days to make milk after you give birth.

This Saturday - Feb 2!

Having a person

I rode my bike inside this morning and read about half of the Supernanny's book. While I was reading, it occurred to me that we are not having a baby, we are having a person. We made a person who is going to be living with us for at least the next 18 years. And I had thought that we should quickly try to make another one to give him a friend, but at this point, I think he's just going to be lonesome. Not really, but geez, I am starting to freak out, again.

The main thing Supernanny stresses is stay calm during your consistent presentation of the world and its limits. I think this will be very challenging. It is hard to remember, even with adults, that they are not doing it to me, they are just doing it. I also think my new year's resolution of staying in the present is not going to be challenging, because babies need your immediate and present attention. There is no ADD jumping from task to task as usual.

I put together the swing and playpen/bassinet. I had to call the swing tech support 2x. Both women I got on the phone acted like I was really stupid. While I felt stupid, the instruction manual was not very instructional, so I had to call for help. The playpen thing was much easier.
The last thing to install is the car seat. I am glad it looks assembled, though I know putting in the car will be much harder than one would think.

I am really looking forward to this being my last week of swimteam for a while. I hope I become delighted, again, after my hormones calm down. I haven't been delighted by them in a LONG time. I do remember being delighted quite a bit by my Canyon Creek kids. In fact, it was there I entertained the idea of having one of our own. I assume the genetic thing will make it easy to be delighted by Hank. It has always seemed very narcissistic to me to breed. But, the physiological and physical similarities between you and your mate neccessarily and adaptively make it easy to love the kid. If the kid looked nothing like either of you, it would take a lot of magnanimous generosity to be as delighted by him as you would be someone who looks like you. TZ could do it.

I filled out a lot of Hank's baby book. I am sure he will not be interested in it at any point, but I will be, and his wife (or husband) might be.

Headed to pajamas and David Sedaris.

Detach with love

BH came home for lunch yesterday because I was having a hormonal meltdown. It was very sweet.
He can detach with love or possibly indifference from his work. I know the swim team is an opportunity for me to practice for the ultimate challenge. I realized yesterday I do want my child to answer or pay some sort of attention after his name is called once. I do not think I will drop him off at swim team until he is at least in middle school, and even then, I don't think I will routinely drop him off. I also don't think I will take my 6 year old to swim practice outdoors when the outdoor temperature is below 70 or the water is below 79. The little kids actually didn't drive me as buggy as the big kids did, yesterday. BH told me when they were given a track workout of 6x400, they would want to do 10x400 because they thought that would make them faster. Isn't that the goal??? Most of the big kids try to talk me down like it's an auction. I made the mistake of doing it once, so part of that is my fault. Meanwhile, Steve and I have both given several inspirational talks. It's actually not the whole team. It's the boys that whine like little girls. The middle school kids asks if what is next is going home. I say, "Yes, you can always go home. I don't have a gun." I also have been ignoring the questions: Is this set hard? Is this the last thing? What time is it? What time do we get out?
There may be others. It would never occur to me at any age to question my coach in activity I wanted to do. I remember telling the gymnastics coach I was afraid, but I let him talk me into trying. I don't know. I do know the problem is me, and I need to let it go. Do what I can, and let it go.
I have many thank you notes to write on Hank's behalf. I am very grateful his room is setup enough so that he has a place to sleep, eat, and get cleaned up.

I am extremely hormonal.
I read a lot more of the Bradley book this morning.
I am ready to get the show on the road.

More naked peeps

I like this lady except for her possible resemblance to me at age 50.












Skeleton Lady













The infamous Spencer. Everyone's drawings of him looked pretty much the same - a rock with arms and legs.













I forget what the orange oil-crayons are called, but this one turned out kind of neat.










Collage

Name the speaker

"I am the decider. I decide."

Here's a pic around 30-31 weeks.
I am now 34 weeks. WHOA.

indigent dogs

Small dogs + poodles are the best. Poodles are ugly and snooty, but add them to a cute, small dog and they are awesome. They hardly shed, and they are smart. If you know about an indigent dog, let me know because I don't think Brad would let a dog die in the cold, harsh winter of Austin, TX.

Pomeranian + Poodle = Pomapoo
Papillon + Poodle = Papapoo
Shiz Tsu + Poodle = Shipoo
Yorkie + Poodle = Yorkiepoo
Bichon Frisé +Poodle = Poochon.
Chihuahua + Poodle = Chipoo.
These combos are all 4-8 lb dogs. How much mess could an 8 lb dog possibly make? The cat weighs 14. Brad weighs 150. I think I am currently holding at 159.

Bichon Frisés + tiny dogs are also good because they also hardly shed.
Same for Miniature Schnauzers, but I haven't seen a cute combo with a schnauzer, yet.
Cocker Spaniels are the final low-shed breed, but they are too big for me.

Helen's dog is a paperanian. I didn't notice any stray hairs anywhere in the house, but I think both poms and paps do shed some. But, again, she weighed 5-6 lbs. Her poop was the size of a tootsie roll.

I am extremely hormonal. And, consequently, am still very upset that I only have a 49% vote on the dog. C'est la vie, je suppose. Si triste.

I wanna dog

There was a "song" in Sid and Nancy sung by this yahoo who was trying to pitch a song to Johnny Rotten. The lyrics were, "I wanna job. I wanna job. I wanna good job. I wanna job. I wanna job. I wanna job that pays. I wanna job. I wanna real job - one that satisfies my artistic needs."
Totally random, but that song keeps popping up when I think about a DOG.

Got a lot done yesterday. Took pics of old artwork. When you spend 8 hours+/week drawing naked people, you end up with a lot of drawings of naked people. I like these 2.

I STILL WANT A DOG

Ready

to be able to lie on my back.
for Steve to be back. I was kind of enjoying coaching the whole team, but today I felt pretty exasperated at 2:30 pm after being at the pool since 5:15 am.
to not have a baby poking me in the ribs.
to be over my stuffy nose and sleep in the same room as Brad, again. Poor Brad, sleeping with Archie Bunker must be unpleasant.

This morning it was in the low 20's. I actually have been a LOT colder at the pool before. Today there was no wind, and the water was 81-2˙, which was AWESOME. I am loving swimming, which is good because it's the only PA I am doing.

Resolve to be present, not rush through one task to get to the next.
Carry over resolutions: you can't take it with you, and love and tolerance is our code.

Selling off a lot of my record collection. Surprisingly, many LPs go for $10-200 on Amazon. I was fairly shocked by the variety of punk rock and new wave records listed for sale and the prices they are going for. I listed them all yesterday, and have already sold 4 at a little over $12 a piece. I had to buy $50 worth of shipping supplies, but after these records go, I'll be in the black. I haven't begun to list my rare Sex Pistols collection or some picture disks that did not show up in Amazon's listing.

2 more days without Coach Steve. I think I can handle it, but I also think I am going to bed about 7.

- 4˙ F

I was going to walk over to the gym this morning to see my favorite hippie Taoseños, (I guess that is redundant) but it's -4˙F, and I don't feel like it.

I have swum everyday since Monday. That is good enough for a pregnant lady. I imagine we will stop around Amarillo today, and our favorite motel in Amarillo has a workout room.
On Tuesday at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center pool, it was set up as long course - 50 m. I was reminiscing about one of the first times, if not the first, that I swam over 3000 m in the UT pool when it was set up long course. It was with BM. The thing I remember was we did a set of descending 300's, which I thought sounded impossible and too hard. But, we did it. That was neat.

Yesterday, I didn't feel as perky in the pool, but I had swum 4000 yds the day before, etc, and it was the middle of the day. I do so much better when I exercise first thing in the morning. I hope Hank lets me do that.

He moves around a lot especially when I am still - sitting for a while or lying down to sleep! I asked Brad and my mom if that meant he was going to move around all the time when he moves out. They didn't know.

I have had such a relaxing time this week. I think my mom has, too. The only time I really can relax is in a motel. There is nothing to clean; I am not reminded of my to do list (even though I did get a few things on it done, here). I didn't send out Christmas cards. Merry Christmas, everyone! I LOVE being in a motel, watching their cable, exercising, rambling on the internets, eating every once in a while, getting out only to do something fun. I cannot ever reach this level of relaxation at home. Yes, I take naps, yes, I fart around, but I have a lingering guilt that spoils it. I guess I really need to work on that for 2008. Being present and just enjoying the moment. That is what I am able to do on vacation.

I was worried about missing Brad too much because it seems like the oxytocin is going nuts making me want to be with him every second of the day, but I didn't. Just kidding. It was like ripping off a bandaid - a big bandaid over a hairy arm or something. It was painful to separate, but I haven't been crying over missing him the whole time we've been gone. I am enjoying Lana's company. It also helped we had a gorgeous view of Wheeler Peak outside our window - we didn't always have to get out in the -4˙ to enjoy the mountains.

It looks like the ice on the roads will melt today, and we will have fairly smooth sailing. Last year a lot of folks got stuck in the panhandle - in their cars or in a motel in Lubbock. Now, I don't know if I could relax quite as much in a flea bag motel in Lubbock. There is a nice Comfort Inn Heather and James and I stayed in once, however.

My mom keeps talking about bringing 10 month old Hank here next year. I am not so sure about that one.
I wonder if Brad and I can take Hank on our 14ers quest over the next few years. Weighing Brad down with 30-50 pounds of Baby Bjorn would certainly make it easier to keep up with him. Maybe not, though, he adapts quickly to training stimuli.

I hope you all have relaxing holidays. I am going to enjoy the spirit of my family members and try to bring joy while not trying to control the outcome.
Those are good resolutions - be present, bring joy, and let go of the outcome. What an order!

Hey, today I am 12! DUHHHH!!!!!! December 23, 1995. Hello! Thank God and the Universe for my sanity and continuous sobriety. Life certainly is so much better and so much different than I ever could have dreamed. I never thought I would go to graduate school (much less graduate), be a recreational athlete, marry the best husband in the world, and have a son. I couldn't imagine life without alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and debauchery. I was always seeking an always elusive fun. I can honestly say it was so rarely fun, even though I told myself I was out to have fun. Yes, I may have laughed with friends, but it was with a panic of never being present. Wow. I couldn't have planned this. I was headed for an early sex, drugs, and rock n roll end. I can't even articulate how grateful I am. Someday, I will revisit rock n roll for good and not to an end. I hope Hank doesn't say "aw, Mom" until he's at least 12 or so when I break out the Bob Dylan and Replacements covers.

snow delay

Staying one more night in Taos due to the snow we got yesterday. About 6". It's pretty spectacular. We are having a very relaxing time. I have swum everyday, and I finally don't feel like a slug in the water. Even at 8000 feet.
I have made friends at the pool, too: A urologist who works at the hospital whose best marathon time was Boston in 2:32. And a mom who swam all the way through her pregnancy.

Last night we had an AWESOME dinner at Lambert's. We split a salad and an entreé. It was unbelievably awesome.

I wish I could ski today because it would be awesome up there, but probably not a good idea. Plus, Taos just caved and after years of fighting and finally allowed snow-boarders. Boo! Taos is not good for snow-boarders. If they are going to allow them, they need to make them a special area to keep them away from the skiers.

Feeling a lot better, physically. I have only taken 2 naps the whole time we've been here. Just still eating tums like candy and my fiber pills.

a couple pics