Thursday, May 23, 2013

Memorial Day!

I'm really looking forward to Memorial Day weekend and the first visit of our dear friend, Rita Jean! One more (hopefully partial) work day and then three days of pure fun!

I was too busy working on this flight to write a proper post but we did celebrate our first Village Valuables since returning to the city. I have to say an all day party in 2013 turned out to be far more civilized than our last Columbus all day party in 2004. I guess we're getting old. Several friends set up shop in the garage and I sold $97 worth of crap (literally) which was immediately used to buy a very solid wrought iron patio set from a dude across the alley. Next year I'll likely leave the selling to others and spend the day checking out the sales. Great day nonetheless!

My next post will be an ACTUAL vacation flight barring any unplanned work trips in the next few weeks!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

On the road again

Wow! There's so much to talk about when you stay out of the air for two whole weeks! It didn't quite feel like a vacation, as hoped, but it was pretty magnificent. Should I go into every detail, hit the highlights, or just pick the best thing? I want to remember it all but let's see what hits the page. 

My first weekend was focused on the Columbus Half Marathon. While my training has been somewhat consistent, and I knew the 13.1 was doable, I was not anywhere in the shape I could and should have been. I'll forgo the excuses and just say that I finished without injury but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 minutes longer than my last half. I will do better at the 10 TV Commit to be fit 10K in July and the Parkersburg Half in August. Finishing the race was somewhat anti-climatic without a cheering squad along the route or at the finish line. The only person I saw along the race was my old trainer, the one who dumped me, and an old friend who I hadn't seen since 2004. Of course, there was no stopping to chat on the course. I sipped my finish line champaign, ate a bagel, and went home. There was one acquaintance I should have looked for at the finish line but I wasn't feeling it. Instead, I went home and had lunch at Max & Erma's alone. It certainly wasn't the post race shenanigans that make training so hard worthwhile. I need more fitness minded friends in this city. 

Marathon night, Baby Brother joined me for Crew vs New York Red Bulls. We lost 0-1 but it was a quality visit with the brother and we had a great time. A few drinks and dinner with friends completed Saturday night. On Sunday, I explored a flea market at the Seventh Son Brewing Company with a few friends. I only came home with two refrigerator dishes but the day fully evolved into a Sunday Funday with BS. It's a good thing I ate and properly hydrated throughout the day! I was very disappointed that my first food truck experience since moving back was so mundane. The chorizo tacos from thatfoodtruck.com, for which I had high hopes, were soggy and without any spice or flavor. The corn fritters were tasty treats but a food truck has to get their main courses right. When something is hand written on the sign as a special, it shouldn't taste like an afterthought. 

This is reading more like a book than a journal entry. Let's see if I can speed things up! Started with a new trainer on the following Wednesday. I was still a little stiff from the half and tore up my knee on a skater cardio drill. A week and a half later it finally no longer hurts, but I'm waiting until this Wednesday to run again. The following weekend included a Roller Derby bout. We should have stayed for the All-Stars because they were much more talented than those playing the first bout of the double header. We had to roll out to catch the Crew play Colorado. We lost. I spent Mother's Day with Mother and at my nephew's fourth birthday party. My daughter took her first grown up vacation to Philadelphia, NYC, and Niagara Falls with three girlfriends. I feel old. 

Since nothing interesting is likely to happen on this work trip to Dallas, I'll save this past weekend's German Village adventures for return trip content!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Vacation!

I'm just kidding. While the "big" vacation isn't far away, I'm really only returning from a week of work travel. Even though an exotic location isn't tagged to this post, It feels like a vacation because I'm giving myself two weeks without scheduled work travel! There are only a few very small chances that I'll have to get on a plane before May 19th. With one exception around the Winter holidays, I've been to Texas every other week since October of last year. Crazy.

My Snap Fitness personal trainer broke up with me last week. I swear I didn't do anything wrong! Her company has apparently lost its' contract so I'm once again going to try someone new. I took a break this week to rest for the Capital City Half Marathon. The training has been sporadic at best and I fully anticipate a personal worst this weekend. They appropriately put me in the last corral. Hopefully there will be some momentum pushing to a reasonable finish. I'm bummed there won't be anyone waiting at the finish line or cheering me along the route. Columbus sure could use a few more runners. The warm Dallas weather prompted a few hours in the pool last night. It isn't quite large enough for proper laps but it did loosen up the muscles.

These next two weeks will involve prepping the house and yard for the annual Village Valuables. We're planning to have friends over for a few cocktails in the afternoon. It will be the first event at the new place and we're hoping for a great time!

Now for the ugly news. The worst is saved for last but if I'm going to journal everything, it has to be noted. Dad's little spot on his lung has not gone away. Since the partial lung removal was so recent, they're fairly certain it is cancerous and an appointment with the surgeon has to be scheduled. I didn't have the stability to call my daughter from the airport and am dreading that call. We MUST stay optimistic and keep a positive attitude. Peace.