I'm Not So Bad

One of my girlfriends has recently met and begun a very serious dating relationship with a really great guy. As she's gotten to know him, she's shared different things about him with me. I've felt like I could relate to where he came from, not necessarily where he's been and noticed we have a lot in common. I've gotten to know him a little bit and I've felt like he was an old friend that I've known forever. Well, the other day my girlfriend and I went to dinner. She began to tell me another story that once again confirmed how similar we were. Mid-conversation, she looks at me and says "I just realized....MINDY! I'm dating you!"
"You are one lucky girl..."

And this is why I run...

My love for running was revived today. Summer weather drives a wall between me and my running shoes every year. Sure, you can make it work out for a little while but once the humidity becomes unbearable I begin to reconsider my commitment to the sport. Today, we have reconciled our relationship...at least until July.
Today's weather may not have gotten many others as excited as it did me. In fact, I told a friend how I wanted to go outside and run if "the rain is drizzly and not downpour." She didn't seem to feel the same way. Well, after work and some errands, I looked at the temperature gauge to determine I would be an idiot not to take advantage of 67 degree weather on the last day of August. I went to my usual changing spot, threw on my clothes (and my hat), and took off. It took all that was in me NOT to take off in full sprint. I was so excited to be out there, rain and all. It was the longest run I've had during the week since this sweltering heat has come upon us in the 757. Surprisingly, I was quite alone at the Park most of the run. Doesn't anyone else care that it was perfect running weather? I've fallen in love all over again. I guess that's just in time for Marathon training!!

The Underdog wins again!

Last night, Chip and I met the Wilker family at the Tides game for a little piece of Americana, BASEBALL. The Tide franchise has some event going on between every inning. Near the beginning, the "entertainer" selected 3 children from the crowd and they were going to perform a dance off. At the end of their display of moves, the crowd would vote for the best dancer. Well, all three kids were introduced and the music started. The kids started shaking their groove thing except the little girl in the middle. She just stood there for what seemed like forever and then she dropped her head into her hands and just started to cry. It was absolutely pitiful. She cried the entire song and I could tell the emcee didn't know what to do! At the conclusion of the tunes, the crowd voted. Our little cryer won unanimously! It was so precious. Ahhh, it always feels good when the underdog takes home the prize...

Popeye the Movie

Last night, I found out a friend of mine owns Popeye, the movie. Immediately, I had thoughts of my childhood and how that movie was my absolute favorite. When I was very young, we lived in Germany. Movies and television (from the US) were limited and there are only two things I distinctly remember watching from that time of my life: Fame and Popeye. I remember thinking Robin Williams was so awesome, never realizing how vulgar and crazy he really was! In fact, I saw Popeye before I ever saw Mork and Mindy. This movie was my introduction to Robin Williams. Well, I decided to take a walk down memory lane while I wait on Chip today and watch the movie. This thing is classic and has a million quotable lines beyond "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." This movie is still awesome, I'll have you know!

Albums That Changed My Life...

Chip went away to Italy on Saturday and we knew we wouldn't have any communication for a week. I decided to send him with a letter for each day he was away. I made a list of random topics and devoted each day to one. I had everything covered: Art, Music, Food, God, Future/Goals, and Potpourri. (You remember that category from Jeopardy? "I'll take Potpourri for 200, Alex.") Seriously, the letters were so just stream of consciousness. It was sort of fun to write!

Anyways, I finally identified the top 10 albums that have changed my life in the Music letter. While I was running today, I reviewed the list to try and remember the albums and thought I would share them with you guys. They are in no particular order:

1. The White Album by the Beatles
2. Abbey Road by the Beatles
3. Beatles For Sale by the Beatles
4. It Takes Two by Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock
5. Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We by the Cranberries
6. Thriller by Michael Jackson
7. Indigo Girls by Indigo Girls
8. Out of the Blue by Debbie Gibson
9. Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
10. 18 & Life by Skid Row

Don't judge me...

Disturbing Run...

Yesterday morning, my running partner and I went on our usual Saturday run. It was pretty early, but we noticed lots of running activity. As we started, a lady stopped us on her way out of the park, our way in and told us a man was missing and we could find a picture of him at the Visitor's Center. Questions immediately starting running through our heads. Was he abducted? Was he running late at night? Was it a medical condition that may have occurred during a hot run? As we progressed into the park, we noticed many state ranger vehicles and foot traffic on the trails. We couldn't decide if all the foot traffic were trainings or real life search parties. Well, it appears that the many individuals that we saw were participating in the search for a local Navy man. I'm anxious to hear the autoposy report...

For more information, click here.

Tampa

I had a conference in Tampa last week to attend with a co-worker/friend, Ryan. The conference was actually pretty interesting and I was able to get a handle on some procedures that I have otherwise been learning on my own. The evenings made it a nice trip and break from my routine life. My girlfriend, Cybil, lives there and I was certain she would give birth during my visit. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I'm disappointed. Nonetheless, we were able to meet up, have dinner, and catch up on life. I enjoyed that.

Ryan brought his family on the trip and they graciously adopted me for the week. We went to watch the Tampa Bay Rays and NY Yankees play baseball one night (even though the American Idol tour was playing about 500 feet from our hotel window. :o) ) We even had several meals together. It was a lot of fun. I'm not sure you can tell but Ryan's shirt says "This is what awesome looks like." His son bought it for him while we were in the conference and it was quite the hit. I'm just sad I didn't have a chance to buy one to give as a gift. It was pretty hilarious.

Well, I'm back home and back to the grind tomorrow...

My Sister's Best Friend's Wedding

I recently made a quick trip to Atlanta for my sister's bff's wedding. Keri and Deb met each other early on in their college life and they immediately became close. So much so, that Deb began joining my family on family vacations and continued to go with us until just a few short years ago. In addition, she worked for my mother as a student worker during her last few years at Lee. She's pretty much family.

The groom, Adam, comes from a family friend of my sister and I. I grew up with his 2 brothers and his older sister but didn't really have much of a relationship with him since he was younger. However, my sister grew up with him and his brother, Rod. They were all closer in age. Turns out, Keri and Deb went to hear Rod's band play several years ago and Adam was there. Keri introduced Deb and in Keri's words told Deb "You should like him!" I guess it worked because they are now husband and wife.

The whole fam had the opportunity to travel and attend. It was a lot of fun and also great to catch up with some old friends.