marathon is on!

We ran our marathon pace today as we bandited 3M. We actually ran about 20 seconds per mile faster than we planned, but felt great. It was easy. This is very good news. I feel very happy and confident about the marathon.
Now, I just have to maintain and taper.
Feeling SO much better sinus-wise, too. I got a cortisone shot on Wednesday, and that fairly immediately made my sinuses feel a LOT better.
I actually wrote the RQ's for my dissertation on Friday. Tomorrow is an afternoon planned for writing!

I think I am going to have to retract my previous statement that Alito is reasonable, and just say that he is an excellent lawyer.

Brad and I spent a good deal of the weekend hunkered down trying to learn how to use Quicken. I am so pleased to announce that Brad has moved away from the dark side of microsoft and over to the side of truth and justice that is apple. So, we are trying to get off MS Money and move to Quicken. It is a daunting task. I worked most of the day yesterday at the J, and Brad cleaned the kitchen. He does a much better job of cleaning than I do because he is very thorough. He excavated the toaster oven so that it looks somewhat fit to eat food from. There was much debris from our stoveless year of cooking in the toaster oven. I did a big cook-off last night of ground turkey and vegetarian chili for the next week or so I hope. We are going to try to reduce our grocery spending. That was one of our largest expenses of last year. TAXES were our largest. Boo.

I am going to try this morning, after my clients to go swim. This has not worked very often. If I don't start exercising within the hour I arise, I don't do it.

Alito

I've been listening to the Alito Senate judiciary committee hearings off and on. Coburn from OK is extremely scary!!!! I hate to say it, but Ted Kennedy is a screwball. And, the other shocker is, from what Alito has said so far, he seems extremely reasonable. All the senators are articulate, but Alito himself is very impressive. Brad pointed out he has been a practicing lawyer and judge for a long time, whereas the senators have been stuck talking with each other for however many years. So, I guess Alito has had some practice. I just wish we knew what he was going to do regarding Roe v Wade. (Go to Coburn's website. NUTJOB). http://coburn.senate.gov/

I asked Stacy what recused meant and she gave me an amusing example. Alito keeps talking about recusing himself from cases, which I gathered from context had something to do with his taking himself off a case, but I knew Stacy could give me a legal description.

"a judge is recused when she is disqualified (or disqualifies herself)
from hearing the case because of self-interest, bias, or prejudice.

for instance, if i were the judge and i was assigned a case in which
you were sued for waking up too early, i'd be recused from the case
because (1) i'm your friend and i'm biased and (2) i am prejudiced
because i am predisposed to think that you are GUILTY. ; )

usually, a judge will recuse him or herself when they know they have
self-interest (maybe they are a major shareholder of a corporation that
is being sued or their father is on the board of directors of a company
that is being sued)."

Speaking of intolerance

Just got an email from a fellow student regarding the Gender and Sexuality Student Center on campus. Some intolerant bozos want to withdraw student funding of the center and require that it be privately funded. If I have to pay for countless things I don't use on campus - all the courts that use balls, all the buildings except Bellmont and Gregory, watering the grass in the middle of the day in the middle of the summer, keeping the classrooms at sub 0 - then the Young Conservatives of Texas can pay their $2 a semester or whatever it is bring peace and harmony to the world, or at least to the UT campus.
It is not a question of morality. That would be like questioning the morality of someone's being black. It is, however, a civil rights issue. Ga!

I need to do a major service project to restore my faith in humanity. Seriously.

I did swim in the new outdoor Gregory pool today. I wore sunscreen on my face and hands, but not the rest of me. I got a little tan. Weird. It is nice. VERY warm - 82˚. I don't know how they keep it that warm in the winter with no cover - maybe by wasting my student fees!!! Anyway, I also taught coached swim and recycled Coach Steve's workout from this morning which was appropriate because the only swimmer I had was a former LCA swimmer who now goes to Texas.

We already sold the Trooper. I took it in to get something fixed and the mechanic had a buyer.

Don't read this if you haven't seen Brokeback Mountain

I just saw it. It was very good. Very sad! Ugh. People had told me how sad it was, but I didn't know it was going to be that sad. Both actors were very good. Heath Leger's accent was awesome the way it sometimes carried an Australian lilt in the twang. Sheesh. So sad. I can't get over it. I was just going to see some mano y mano, I didn't know it would come at such a tragic price. I want to read the short story. I have heard it was based on a true story. Ugh.
I remember when Matthew Sheppard was murdered in Wyoming. It is very difficult for me to believe that that can happen in the world we live in. I am in such an insulated bubble. I don't know what to do to change it. I guess start by being vocal against intolerance. I am extremely intolerant of people who are intolerant. I think this is totally justified. Maybe I am wrong. It seems as though there is an absolute good and many of us know what it is, but many of us do not. I think that 90% of people in the world could agree on this, could they not? I guess not, because the US is divided 30/70 about the war, still, correct? The fact that George Bush could be elected 2x in the US baffles me. I guess we cannot agree. The fact that the state I live in just passed a law that limits civil rights of some of its citizens baffles me. And we are one of several states. How can this be 2006? I guess what not to do is crawl in a hole and bemoan how bad things are. The thing to do is try to change intolerance, one intolerant person at a time. Can we round them up and send them to tolerance camps?

Tim left a few days ago. We pretty much worked on the house, ate, and exercised the whole time he was here. Now, Brad is back at work, and I am working more at the J.
Swam 3 x 400 IM this morning. My effort level increased with each, but my times stayed the same. Oh, well. Last week Steve gave me a pep talk along the lines that I will not swim as fast as I have ever swum every time I get in the water. I guess I know that is true.
We may get to get a new stove - they make restaurant ones that are 34". If we can put one in a residence, it is going to be awesome. I will definitely have to start a catering business to pay for it, however.
Took all my books and articles up to school so that I can do my writing up there. I hope that is going to work and that after having the office to myself for a year, no one will move in.
I am going to watch at LEAST the first half of the Rosebowl tonight. GO, horns!

Today is the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's death. I was reading a pictorial bible book over at Grandmother Crook's house when I found out Lennon had been murdered. She was reading the paper and said, "that rock star died." I am not sure if I knew exactly who the Beatles were, but I remember knowing who he was. She bought me the pictorial bible book because not too long before that, I had quoted my dad to her to tell her there was no God. We had been watching Donny and Marie. She was pretty upset that I thought that (and probably that my dad thought that.) I was just thinking it would be cool to mock tv like Dad did.

Anyway, have my last exam ever today. Woohoo!

Saw some awesome swimming this weekend. Saw Peter Vanderkaay win the mile. It was really beautiful. He didn't kick for about the first 1000, then as the closest guy started to make his move, he started kicking.
Got to see Kaitlin Sandeno, many of the UT Olympians, PVK and some other Michigan badasses. It was really cool.
I get to go to a clinic taught by Neil Walker tomorrow. That is going to be awesome.

Played on Thursday. Several friends came out. It was fun. I enjoyed singing and was surprised at how well my fingers worked. I am going to try to get a gig at that coffee shop inside the Groovy Lube on Guadalupe. They have music.

Brad has redone another window, and I helped a little on one today. That only leaves 3. Awesome.

committee confirmed

Everyone I asked to be on my diss committee said yes. Now, my candidacy application needs to go through a long series of approvals, but I should be good to go.
Got to watch some prelims at the Texas Invite this morning. Saw Ian Crocker and Neil Walker swim 100 fly in the same heat. That was cool. Saw 8 heats of 100 fly. Ouch! And several heats of 500 free. All well under 4:45, many well under 4:30. A couple in the 4:20's. Wow. Faster than I can swim a 50, I think.
I am going to go back on Saturday and watch some prelims and/or finals. Saw Sandeno. Didn't see Phelps this time. He could swim, I guess since Crocker did, but maybe he just wasn't there this morning.
Brad has a cold. I am eating a lot of zinc and vitamin C and trying to get plenty of rest. He doesn't feel bad, but is stuffy.
Only one more week of school. Eek.

A-, Next A+

I made an A- on my statistics test. Yeah! I am headed up, so next one will for sure be A+.

My new favorite sandwich (stolen from Little Deli vegetarian):
Whole wheat roll
a little bit of cheddar, a little bit of mozzarella
red bell pepper
portabello mushrooms (marinated in balsalmic vinegar)
artichoke hearts
spinach
warm up the bread and cheese for 30 seconds in microwave
= awesome

Swam slowly today. Steve took pity on me. I did do an awesome main set at the TLC on Friday:
400 IM
4x100 IM
2x200 IM
4x100 IM
all on :15R!

Had a great TG. My family on both sides is cool. I am lucky.

Ban divorce

I read a really funny editorial about amendment 2 to the TX constitution. If the "religious" right really wanted to protect the sanctity of marriage, they would campaign to ban divorce. I totally agree. 50% of hetero marriages end in divorce. Surely the gays can better our statistics.
Speaking of statistics, I took my 3rd test today. It wasn't very fun. I think I did OK, but I am never good at guessing that.
The plumber was supposed to come yesterday to fix the leaky tub and didn't show. Boo.
Headed to big D on Thursday. Can't wait to eat the multitude of dishes.
Coach Steve says we're doing another 400 IM tomorrow. Maybe 2. Eek.

Barton Springs and new GRE pool = 68˙

The new Gregory pool opened Friday. The water is 68˙. As you know, this is the temperature of Barton Springs. Brr. Granted I swam at Barton on Saturday, but I was wearing a wetsuit, as usual. They are not planning on getting a cover for the pool. What the who? This seems a little cuckoo to me. Supposedly the J pool was 84 this morning. I have never been in when it was that warm. I think if Keith Bell had his way that water would be 68, also. I don't know why he doesn't coach people out there. Or at Deep Eddy. Actually, I think he does coach at Deep Eddy.
I am waiting on the plumber to come over and fix the leaky bathtub faucet. I actually took a bath last night, but it was still kind of yucky in there.
Now Brad wants us to move over by Deep Eddy, speaking of Deep Eddy. I guess we need to build the garage apt first, then rent out this house and the garage apt and then we can move over there. It still kind of freaks me out when he talks about us moving. Moving to me is such a HUGE deal. Any disruption in my routine is a HUGE deal. And believe it or not, I have made progress in that area. I know it's his way of fantasizing for fun and escape, but to me thinking about moving is not a pleasant fantasy. I guess I do fantasize about change sometimes, but it's little bitty changes like refinishing the bathtub and getting to take baths all the time. What a great fantasy. Brad obviously isn't interested in baths.
Have test #3 tomorrow. I feel pretty prepared, but I am studying this afternoon!!!!!

bathtub abort

Well, we were going to get our bathtub resurfaced today, but the faucet leaks, so we can't do it, yet. Also, I didn't know Rockit can't be in the house while he's doing it. After I had chased Rockit into the bedroom, I had a hell of a time getting him out to put him in the carrier to take him outside. Meanwhile, the guy tells me about the leak. We will hopefully be able to get the leak fixed and get it done later. However, it might require something big in which case, we are not going to get it fixed until we do this "bathroom remodel" I have been hearing about. The guy did get the tub unbelievably clean. I scrub and scrub and it looks dirty, but he used some seriously caustic stuff and some 50 grit sandpaper, and it looks pretty clean. I REALLY hope we can get the leak fixed because I would REALLLLLLLY like to be able to take baths in my own house. Maybe it will work out.
I guess things like this make you grateful for modern conveniences like toilets, sinks, and showers. Many people in the world do not have these luxuries. We are really blessed. And I would be super duper blessed if I had a bath tub to take baths in.

Studying this weekend. Going to Lesley's wedding. Clients and classes in the morning on Sunday. Might go to a JV TG celebration Sunday afternoon.

Had a great swim workout this morning. 4100 m
This was the main set
1 x 100 on 1:45
2 x 100 on 1:50
3 x 100 on 1:55
4 x 100 on 2:00
1 x 100 on 3:00
repeat.
The only hard part was the first 3 100's. I made all the intervals, though, and was pretty happy.
Maybe someday I will get my 100m free time down under 1:30. My fastest 100 yd time is 1:17. I have no idea how I did that. Justin paced me, and I haven't been able to do it since.
Steve says we are doing a 400 IM on Wednesday. I am going to tell him about shaving off another minute this next 3 months.

Heat

I just turned the heat up in my office to 80. Awesome.
This morning I was FREEZING after my run. I put the serious down comforter on the bed after Brad got out of it. I can't WAIT to go to sleep tonight.
I am subbing a step class later. I hope I am not too rusty.
OK, studying for my test. Right - this - second....

where did the year go?

I can't believe it's Nov 17. We only have 3 weeks of school left! I have a test Tuesday, then we only have 3 classes, and we have our last test.
Ran fast this morning. Then I had rebound hypothermia when I stopped.
Have a long day today.
Tomorrow we are getting our bathtub reglazed. I am SO excited. I have not been able to take baths in our bathtub since we moved in - it's old and despite lots of scrubbing never gets clean. The bad news is we can't use the bathtub for 48 hours after they do the coat, so that means showering at the J this weekend. That is ok with me, but Brad is not very happy. He also doesn't want us to do it because we are going to redo our bathroom sometime. We've lived here 3 years!
I get to play at a Starbucks Xmas party in a couple of weeks. I'll let you know if it's open to the public...

the good and bad

Well, it looks like Travis county was somewhat sane, but the rest of Texas is apparently 75% full of bigoted, ignorant people. My first thought was to move, but I guess the best way to change something is from the inside out, so I am going to stay and perform as many gay marriages as I possibly can.
At least 2 states (one of which voted for Bush) elected democrats as governors.
The civil rights movement in this country did not happen overnight, so this civil rights movement will take time, I suppose.

Something that makes me happy, my swim workout was good this morning.
WU. 2x (100 FR, 100 BR)
4 x50 BR

I. 20x25 Fly with fins :10R

II. 6x50 fly kick on back with fins on interval (1:05)
6x50 fly kick on side "
6x50 fly kick on front "
2x50 fly kick on front fast "

III. 10x100 free on moderate interval with paddles. I held 1:45's and did them on 2:00. I was pleased with that.

CD. 3x(50 BK, 20 FR, 20 BR)
200 pull

I told coach Steve about my 400 IM success, and he said now, I need to do it in a meet. If it's a meet with people who can't swim very well, I am totally in! Or a meet in which everyone starts in the water. Yes, I am there! Or maybe the special olympics. I could definitely take some of those kids. He was happy for me. I didn't tell him my plan to take off a minute every 3 months. I am sure he will go for that.

Have my eye on 2 dogs at TLAS. One is a jack russell mix boy 2 years, the other is a rat terrier mix girl 5 years. Both are strays. I am first on the list. Brad still hasn't said we can get a dog. I wonder if we can have a trial-run....

oh yeah

The other good news is I made a B+ on my multivariate exam. Even better, 5 people did worse than I did. Isn't that awesome?

http://wholeathlete.com/athletes/meredith.htm
the freaky thing is we kind of even look alike!

defeat/success at komen

Brad got second overall at race for the cure. I, however, had a side stitch. Boo. I got it around the first mile, so I never could get rid of it. I am sad. This 20 minute thing is very elusive. I ran about 2 minutes faster last year. I can't figure out what my deal is. I tried to get Brad to agree that once I break 20 minutes, we can get a dog. He didn't say no. But he has said we cannot get a dog. I REALLY want a dog. I think I REALLY just want something to take care of. Rockit doesn't need me to take care of him, although I appreciate how dog-like he has been since he became an only child. Brad didn't think he ran as well as he might have because he spent all day yesteraday using the jackhammer on the foundation of the garage. He said it was exhausting. He did eat a whole box of dots last night, which, for him, is an ergogenic aid.

7:58

I broke 8 minutes on the 400 IM.
I am very excited.

KKK "rally" was 12 guys with bandanas on their faces. Way to go. And I want use Bush's quote you're either for us or against us. If you are for the gay marriage ban, you are with the KKK. Way to go.

Lana is here, and we are having fun.