For the first time ever, I voted in a primary! Usually I've just waited to see who the two presidential nominees are and then made my decision between them. This time I actually care who the nominee is, and I feel like my vote will actually count. The race between Obama and Clinton (I've heard) will come down to Texas and Ohio, and they're close in both states. So I actually found an early voting site and went to cast my vote. I got the sticker and everything.
Just to be clear that this somehow didn't still count as a "presidential election," I also cast votes for Nelda Wells Spears (she seems to have been doing a pretty good job--she sent Alex new license plates last week) and Lloyd Doggett, as well as some guy named Gene Kelly (I know, I know, it's corny to vote for someone just because they share a name with you, and it's kind of destructive to the democratic process, but I don't care).
I feel quite citizen-ary!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
The Damn Loop
For those of you familiar with cycling routes in and around Austin, The Dam Loop is one that should be familiar. I had the pleasure of riding it for the first time this morning.
Let me just say that 85% of the ride is gorgeous and quite manageable--rolling hills, scenic vistas, and mansion upon mansion upon mansion! I got to ride across the Lake Travis dam for the first time (hence the name of the ride) as well as "The" bridge on 360. We went from Jack & Adam's (our local triathlon shop) down Mopac to 360, up to Bee Caves, out Bee Caves to 71, turned right to hit 620, (*note: up to this point I'm just fine and dandy), up 620 (tougher hill here just after the dam, but it's all good) to 2222. At this point, there is a monster of a hill...but we would have gone down it (note the operative phrase "would have"). Rather than subject our team to the thrilling/terrifying prospect of going 50 mph down a huge hill on a fairly busy road, we took a detour through River Place (also known as "hell" or "gives new meaning to 'the Hill Country'" or "what the f@*! did I just get myself into"). If you'd like a mental picture, imagine this terrain, but with roads. You think I jest, but River Place is like our own personal little corner of Vietnam. But with, you know, American-style houses and less of a rainy season.
I'm proud to say I made it up the three hills. Hills my car would have had a hard time making it up in anything other than 1st or 2nd gear. I think at one point a 85-year-old resident of River-nam may have passed me going up hill...walking...but still I made it without stopping and without falling over, a defiance of both the laws of physics and common sense. I don't remember the next 5-10 miles after that very clearly, other than my coach coming to my aid with a caramel Gu (sounds kinda nasty but it was like sweet mana at the time--note to self: protein bars do NOT equal energy bars/Gu! Go to the store!).
After finally making it back to home base, 50 miles, 2 water bottles, 1 protein bar, 1 gu pack, and one ba-gillion hills later, we had to go run 2-3 miles. Danggit.
Gotta love multi-sport.
Let me just say that 85% of the ride is gorgeous and quite manageable--rolling hills, scenic vistas, and mansion upon mansion upon mansion! I got to ride across the Lake Travis dam for the first time (hence the name of the ride) as well as "The" bridge on 360. We went from Jack & Adam's (our local triathlon shop) down Mopac to 360, up to Bee Caves, out Bee Caves to 71, turned right to hit 620, (*note: up to this point I'm just fine and dandy), up 620 (tougher hill here just after the dam, but it's all good) to 2222. At this point, there is a monster of a hill...but we would have gone down it (note the operative phrase "would have"). Rather than subject our team to the thrilling/terrifying prospect of going 50 mph down a huge hill on a fairly busy road, we took a detour through River Place (also known as "hell" or "gives new meaning to 'the Hill Country'" or "what the f@*! did I just get myself into"). If you'd like a mental picture, imagine this terrain, but with roads. You think I jest, but River Place is like our own personal little corner of Vietnam. But with, you know, American-style houses and less of a rainy season.
I'm proud to say I made it up the three hills. Hills my car would have had a hard time making it up in anything other than 1st or 2nd gear. I think at one point a 85-year-old resident of River-nam may have passed me going up hill...walking...but still I made it without stopping and without falling over, a defiance of both the laws of physics and common sense. I don't remember the next 5-10 miles after that very clearly, other than my coach coming to my aid with a caramel Gu (sounds kinda nasty but it was like sweet mana at the time--note to self: protein bars do NOT equal energy bars/Gu! Go to the store!).
After finally making it back to home base, 50 miles, 2 water bottles, 1 protein bar, 1 gu pack, and one ba-gillion hills later, we had to go run 2-3 miles. Danggit.
Gotta love multi-sport.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
To Go or Not To Go?
Alex picked me up for lunch today with a gleam in his eye and an extra bounce in his car-dancing moves (thank you, 50-cent, for giving the man something to move to--the world would be a less entertaining place without Alex's groove!). It appears that Alex's bosses have finally agreed to give him what he was been after as long as I've known him--a trip to China! He'll spend the next three weeks setting up interviews and picking up essential phrases ("too expensive!" "bathroom?" "Do you have any triple-chocolate ice cream?") and then it's off to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Beijing for two weeks of fantabulous adventures (mixed in with a little work to keep the bosses happy).
What does this have to do with me, aside from me needing a little extra love and attention while the hubster is gone for two weeks? We're actually considering . . . (wait for it) . . . me going along!
With all that's happened financially in the last six months, a spur-of-the-moment trip to China hardly seems like the responsible, or even sane, thing to do. We've already ear-marked the extra freelance money and our yet-to-arrive rebate check for paying down medical bills. The smart thing would be for us to celebrate this amazing opportunity for him to finally go to China and make sure that we've worked out the time difference so that he can recount all his adventures to me while I listen whilst massaging my sore calves and quads. Sore because I'm training. For that little race in California. That I shouldn't be missing practices for. In fact, him going alone would be like them PAYING us while he's away b/c I wouldn't spend any money without him apart from what it takes for the gas to get to and from work.
And yet still, here we are, actually figuring out the logistics of the 30-hour flights, the 3-4 day stay (is it still worth it if total travel time is roughly equivalent to total time spent at the destination?), the hotels, the sightseeing goals. I know it's not the responsible thing to do. I can hear my dad's financially sound chastisements already. And he's right. We have other responsibilities right now. Life isn't all about what's "fun." We aren't playing our hand the safest way right now. We're not really hedging our bets. (Okay, enough poker metaphors.)
When it comes down to it, and I think about 5, 10, 25, 50 years from now, or even 2 years from now when we'll (hopefully) be knee deep in diapers and tears (from the baby and us...the tears, that is, not the diapers) and a little extra money in the bank or our pockets would come in MIGHTY nice, I know deep down that we won't be sitting around thinking that we would have traded the trip for an extra $1,000. Because really, you'll never have enough money, and you'll always have enough money.
If you're still not convinced, maybe your all-American deep-rooted respect for the sagacity of Mark Twain will move you to agree with me:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do. So throw off the bowliness. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
It's not a done deal yet, but it's looking good enough for us to get visas (the travel documents, not the plastic-rectangles-of-terror).
Stay tuned...
Sunday, January 27, 2008
#25, #35, and #36!
I know it's been a while, but we've been busy! My practices have picked up to 7 coached practices a week (I only go to 6 of them because I'm a firm believer in the benefits of a day off!), and I've been freelance writing in my "free time" to make a little extra money. I wish I could say it was "spending cash," but ultimately it's going toward paying down the medical bills...although, technically, I guess that's still "spending it." We've spent our little time together watching football (way to go, Giants!!), catching up on our DVR'd shows, and slowly but surely crossing things off the list!
#25: After core class a few Mondays ago, Alex treated me to a vegan, macrobiotic, organic meal at Casa de Luz, an incredible restaurant tucked away in downtown Austin. For $12 per person, it's an all-you-can eat health-food delight. We had salad and pumpkin soup for appetizers and brown rice topped with nori, mixed veggies, Anasazi beans, and pickled red cabbage. We could have gone back for more, but I was surprisingly satisfied! And the most amazing part was that I didn't feel like vegging on the couch afterwards the way I do when we eat our more regular fare--pasta, chicken, fries, etc.... We were so pleasantly surprised with the food and the way we felt afterwards that we are going to try and make it a Monday night, post-workout tradition.
#35: We had this incredible find at an after-Christmas sale! I have been wanting a full-length mirror for a while. We were at a furniture store to pick up some missing parts from our coffee table, and while waiting, I noticed this mirror. It would match our bedroom perfectly, and I noticed that it was unusually deep. Lo and behold, it opens up to a jewelry organizer!! We bought it immediately and just finished hanging it last weekend. (On a side note, we noticed when we went back to pick it up that the "original price" it had been marked down from when we bought it was the new "sale" price, and the "original price" had doubled! Sneaky store!!)
#36: Alex and my dad spent the better part of a weekend putting up gutters! Yay! It has rained several times since and they work, well, exactly like they're supposed to.
Training and Fundraising update:
We had our big Mardi Gras fundraiser last Tuesday and raised nearly $3,000! The food was delicious, the band was awesome, and we were treated to some members of my team doing the Thriller dance. All in all a fantastic evening and a lot of money raised for a great cause. As for training, we are in the middle of a "ramp-up" segment, so I'm pretty tired! We had a 50-mile bike ride yesterday, followed by an 8-mile run this morning, so I'm thinking for today I'm going to take a big fat nap. Maybe when I wake up there will be a massage place open. Man that would feel mighty nice right about now!
I hope this finds you all well and that I get to see you sometime soon,
KC
#25: After core class a few Mondays ago, Alex treated me to a vegan, macrobiotic, organic meal at Casa de Luz, an incredible restaurant tucked away in downtown Austin. For $12 per person, it's an all-you-can eat health-food delight. We had salad and pumpkin soup for appetizers and brown rice topped with nori, mixed veggies, Anasazi beans, and pickled red cabbage. We could have gone back for more, but I was surprisingly satisfied! And the most amazing part was that I didn't feel like vegging on the couch afterwards the way I do when we eat our more regular fare--pasta, chicken, fries, etc.... We were so pleasantly surprised with the food and the way we felt afterwards that we are going to try and make it a Monday night, post-workout tradition.
#35: We had this incredible find at an after-Christmas sale! I have been wanting a full-length mirror for a while. We were at a furniture store to pick up some missing parts from our coffee table, and while waiting, I noticed this mirror. It would match our bedroom perfectly, and I noticed that it was unusually deep. Lo and behold, it opens up to a jewelry organizer!! We bought it immediately and just finished hanging it last weekend. (On a side note, we noticed when we went back to pick it up that the "original price" it had been marked down from when we bought it was the new "sale" price, and the "original price" had doubled! Sneaky store!!)
#36: Alex and my dad spent the better part of a weekend putting up gutters! Yay! It has rained several times since and they work, well, exactly like they're supposed to.
Training and Fundraising update:
We had our big Mardi Gras fundraiser last Tuesday and raised nearly $3,000! The food was delicious, the band was awesome, and we were treated to some members of my team doing the Thriller dance. All in all a fantastic evening and a lot of money raised for a great cause. As for training, we are in the middle of a "ramp-up" segment, so I'm pretty tired! We had a 50-mile bike ride yesterday, followed by an 8-mile run this morning, so I'm thinking for today I'm going to take a big fat nap. Maybe when I wake up there will be a massage place open. Man that would feel mighty nice right about now!
I hope this finds you all well and that I get to see you sometime soon,
KC
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
#100
We were downtown last night at midnight for the "big" ball drop and the explosions of confetti and general gaiety. Very fun. But, the big news is that on our way out, I just happened to serendipitously pass two police officers. Okay, maybe there were officers everywhere and I couldn't have avoided passing any, but still, we passed two police officers and I went up to both and shook their hands, thanked them for being there, and wished them a happy New Year. They in turn thanked us for leaving after midnight.
Then we headed over to Alex's brother's NYE party and I am happy to say that we are starting 2008 as the still-reigning beer pong champs.
Then we headed over to Alex's brother's NYE party and I am happy to say that we are starting 2008 as the still-reigning beer pong champs.
Monday, December 31, 2007
falling off the wagon, crossing items off the list, and more
We had a crazy busy holiday season! It was positively delightful having so much family in town and having so many parties to attend. And now it's delightful having none of those things and getting a bit of a breather.
Thanks to our busy holiday schedule, a brief hiatus on organized team practices, and a miserable little cold, I've fallen off the workout wagon these last two weeks. It's been easy to do since every minute of our days has been spoken for and because I know that come January 3rd we'll be hitting it hard every day until May 4. That, and it's been cold! But now I have some awesome cold-weather gear, more free time, a healthy immune system, and no more excuses. The break was good for my mind and body, but now I'm ready to jump back on the wagon and get going.
Now for the list:
#68: I gave bundles of personalized stationary to my cousin and grandmother. I think they looked quite festive with their bright red bows!
I also gave homemade truffles to my coworkers. So while all my gifts weren't homemade, I did make a few of them. That totally counts.
#84: check! It was wonderful having my parents, sister, and brother here for Christmas. We took my parents to see the big Christmas tree and the trail of lights (my mom has pictures from that outing - I'll have to add them in later!) and had great times playing Beyond Balderdash and James Bond Scene It. We all enjoyed it so much I think we've agreed to make it a family tradition (having our family Christmas here, not playing JBSI)! Alex's parents visited the next weekend, and we introduced them to horseshoes (Alex's dad is a natural!) and took them to the county park by our house. While it's nice having the house to ourselves, it becomes more of a home when it's filled with the laughter and voices of many.
#92: While at Alex's company Christmas dinner, I knew I was going to order the grilled salmon. So instead of getting my usual beer, I ordered...wait for it...a pinot grigio. Important details to note: I knew white wine went with fish and red wine with beef; I picked wine over beer; and I enjoyed it! (I also enjoyed the second glass, but damn if I wasn't asleep five minutes into the ride home. It certainly does have a different effect than beer!) Oh, AND, I held it by it's step, swirled it, sniffed it, and then sipped. I didn't spit, but just the fact that I know that's the fourth step counts for something, right?? In googling it just now to make sure that I spelled it correctly, I came across this article--apparently some would think that my one encounter with pinot grigio is the wine equivalent of eating a Spamwich. I pay them as much mind as those beer drinkers out there who can no longer enjoy a Lone Star--I pity you and the jail cell of sophistication you've built around yourself. Tsk, tsk.
There are other tasks in the works. I've got six months left to go and my potted plants are looking a little paltry but still alive. I just finished Water for Elephants (which I enjoyed very much if any of you are considering reading it), so I think now is as good a time as any to start The Brothers Karamazov. I can do about 15 full length push-ups, so more than halfway on that one. My major TNT fundraising event is in the works (thanks 100% to Dawn, my wedding coordinator and my very own fairy godmother). And we're getting dressed up for New Year's tonight and going downtown--not an exact hit for #47, but we did go on a date downtown last night, which is more in line with the spirit of that task...
I hope this finds you all well and rested and pleasantly plump from all the holiday fruitcake. Happy New Year!
-KC
Thanks to our busy holiday schedule, a brief hiatus on organized team practices, and a miserable little cold, I've fallen off the workout wagon these last two weeks. It's been easy to do since every minute of our days has been spoken for and because I know that come January 3rd we'll be hitting it hard every day until May 4. That, and it's been cold! But now I have some awesome cold-weather gear, more free time, a healthy immune system, and no more excuses. The break was good for my mind and body, but now I'm ready to jump back on the wagon and get going.
Now for the list:
#68: I gave bundles of personalized stationary to my cousin and grandmother. I think they looked quite festive with their bright red bows!
I also gave homemade truffles to my coworkers. So while all my gifts weren't homemade, I did make a few of them. That totally counts.#84: check! It was wonderful having my parents, sister, and brother here for Christmas. We took my parents to see the big Christmas tree and the trail of lights (my mom has pictures from that outing - I'll have to add them in later!) and had great times playing Beyond Balderdash and James Bond Scene It. We all enjoyed it so much I think we've agreed to make it a family tradition (having our family Christmas here, not playing JBSI)! Alex's parents visited the next weekend, and we introduced them to horseshoes (Alex's dad is a natural!) and took them to the county park by our house. While it's nice having the house to ourselves, it becomes more of a home when it's filled with the laughter and voices of many.
#92: While at Alex's company Christmas dinner, I knew I was going to order the grilled salmon. So instead of getting my usual beer, I ordered...wait for it...a pinot grigio. Important details to note: I knew white wine went with fish and red wine with beef; I picked wine over beer; and I enjoyed it! (I also enjoyed the second glass, but damn if I wasn't asleep five minutes into the ride home. It certainly does have a different effect than beer!) Oh, AND, I held it by it's step, swirled it, sniffed it, and then sipped. I didn't spit, but just the fact that I know that's the fourth step counts for something, right?? In googling it just now to make sure that I spelled it correctly, I came across this article--apparently some would think that my one encounter with pinot grigio is the wine equivalent of eating a Spamwich. I pay them as much mind as those beer drinkers out there who can no longer enjoy a Lone Star--I pity you and the jail cell of sophistication you've built around yourself. Tsk, tsk.
There are other tasks in the works. I've got six months left to go and my potted plants are looking a little paltry but still alive. I just finished Water for Elephants (which I enjoyed very much if any of you are considering reading it), so I think now is as good a time as any to start The Brothers Karamazov. I can do about 15 full length push-ups, so more than halfway on that one. My major TNT fundraising event is in the works (thanks 100% to Dawn, my wedding coordinator and my very own fairy godmother). And we're getting dressed up for New Year's tonight and going downtown--not an exact hit for #47, but we did go on a date downtown last night, which is more in line with the spirit of that task...
I hope this finds you all well and rested and pleasantly plump from all the holiday fruitcake. Happy New Year!
-KC
Monday, December 10, 2007
Nothing to report?
I haven't posted in a while because I didn't really feel like we had anything new to report. I haven't accomplished any more of my 101 goals, and really life has been just plugging along like normal. Then I realized that it's really not normal and maybe I haven't posted because I've been working my tailfeathers off and have just been too busy!
I've started freelancing (yay!) in my "spare" time. This is good news not only because it will help us pay off our medical bills, but because hopefully it will be steady enough to provide enough income when we have kids that will allow me to stay home.
I've also started my second season with Team In Training--this time I'm training for a half-ironman triathlon (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run) and have to raise $5,600 in donations!! Not only have I been spending about 10 hours a week in practice (and we haven't even hit our "stride" yet--we're supposed to pick it up on Jan. 1), but I've been working like crazy to get some fundraising efforts going: I participated in my company's holiday fair last Friday, have been busy writing letters/stuffing envelopes, and am hopefully in the midst of planning a big fundraising party with the help of my wedding coordinator!
BTW, if you would like to donate, please click here! Every little bit helps, and all donations are fully tax deductible. Most of you have letters coming encouraging you to join the one-hour-a-month club . . . intrigued? Details in your letter!
Alex returned from his Germany trip safe and sound and has jumped into helping me as much as possible. He's started coming to core workouts with me, too! He put up lights on our house all by himself--I think it took him longer than he expected, but we're both very happy with how it turned out! And we're now the proud owners of a ladder. They're quite helpful!
Well, that's what's new with us! I hope some of y'all out there are having a little less hectic lives right now and that you have enough time to get into the holiday spirit a little.
Happy holidays,
KC
I've started freelancing (yay!) in my "spare" time. This is good news not only because it will help us pay off our medical bills, but because hopefully it will be steady enough to provide enough income when we have kids that will allow me to stay home.
I've also started my second season with Team In Training--this time I'm training for a half-ironman triathlon (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run) and have to raise $5,600 in donations!! Not only have I been spending about 10 hours a week in practice (and we haven't even hit our "stride" yet--we're supposed to pick it up on Jan. 1), but I've been working like crazy to get some fundraising efforts going: I participated in my company's holiday fair last Friday, have been busy writing letters/stuffing envelopes, and am hopefully in the midst of planning a big fundraising party with the help of my wedding coordinator!
BTW, if you would like to donate, please click here! Every little bit helps, and all donations are fully tax deductible. Most of you have letters coming encouraging you to join the one-hour-a-month club . . . intrigued? Details in your letter!
Alex returned from his Germany trip safe and sound and has jumped into helping me as much as possible. He's started coming to core workouts with me, too! He put up lights on our house all by himself--I think it took him longer than he expected, but we're both very happy with how it turned out! And we're now the proud owners of a ladder. They're quite helpful!
Well, that's what's new with us! I hope some of y'all out there are having a little less hectic lives right now and that you have enough time to get into the holiday spirit a little.
Happy holidays,
KC
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