Yes, that's where I am. And it feels like July. What happened?
Sorry, it's another tiny post. Hope you don't mind.
The next time I have time to wrap my mind around something, I'll write more.
No, I did not run, by the way. But Joshua did. 2:47!
Showing posts with label Chicago Marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Marathon. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
mid-year resolutions.
All right, friends. Here's a video of a kitten riding on a turtle, which, like all good things, was found on someone else's facebook page.
In light of that silliness, I have recently discovered that it is very hard for me to go back to work when I could be missing good stuff all around me. The good stuff I'm thinking of includes days spent with Joshua, days spent at the library, days spent with friends, days spent going home to see my family, et cetera. Now, don't get me wrong, I do enjoy days spent at Mast General Store, much more than any other job I've had since Loucon, but not being able to pick my days is what has me down. For instance, I've been off for the last two days, plus today, which makes a nice little three-day weekend of sorts, but then I'll have to be at work all day every day until Sunday, when I leave for two weeks at camp. Wh- when am I going to clean and pack? We went to Chattanooga yesterday... do I have to do it today? But I wanted to finish reading a book and write a little today.
Which brings me to mid-year resolutions. I think I have a few.
1. It's okay to clean up (I usually keep my domesticity so closeted, not even my husband knows where it is).
1. Try to write for an hour every day, even if it has to be in the evening. This does not include reading.
2. Open that dang Bible, girl. Look at it, learn from it.
3. Run? Boo. I don't like this resolution anymore. Are you sure I can't get a refund for my marathon registration? No? Crap. I guess I should run, then.
4. If I'm going to run, I need to stop eating junk food that will slow me down. Too bad I work in a store that sells candy by the pound. Bye, candy. Bye, chocolate. Bye, rich, heavy cheese. Hello lettuce and tuna fish? Sigh.
5. Tell somebody at work that I appreciate the hours, but I really applied to work part-time, thanks.
In light of that silliness, I have recently discovered that it is very hard for me to go back to work when I could be missing good stuff all around me. The good stuff I'm thinking of includes days spent with Joshua, days spent at the library, days spent with friends, days spent going home to see my family, et cetera. Now, don't get me wrong, I do enjoy days spent at Mast General Store, much more than any other job I've had since Loucon, but not being able to pick my days is what has me down. For instance, I've been off for the last two days, plus today, which makes a nice little three-day weekend of sorts, but then I'll have to be at work all day every day until Sunday, when I leave for two weeks at camp. Wh- when am I going to clean and pack? We went to Chattanooga yesterday... do I have to do it today? But I wanted to finish reading a book and write a little today.
Which brings me to mid-year resolutions. I think I have a few.
1. It's okay to clean up (I usually keep my domesticity so closeted, not even my husband knows where it is).
1. Try to write for an hour every day, even if it has to be in the evening. This does not include reading.
2. Open that dang Bible, girl. Look at it, learn from it.
3. Run? Boo. I don't like this resolution anymore. Are you sure I can't get a refund for my marathon registration? No? Crap. I guess I should run, then.
4. If I'm going to run, I need to stop eating junk food that will slow me down. Too bad I work in a store that sells candy by the pound. Bye, candy. Bye, chocolate. Bye, rich, heavy cheese. Hello lettuce and tuna fish? Sigh.
5. Tell somebody at work that I appreciate the hours, but I really applied to work part-time, thanks.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
reintroducing myself.
Well, that was a long break. In the car last night, I thought up a delightful, clever way to reintroduce myself, but I have forgotten it now. No surprise.
Last week my friend Jesse Myers wrote to me saying that he enjoyed reading my blog, though I hadn't written anything lately. I responded:
"It has become a battle recently between writing on the blog, writing emails, writing for fun, reading novels, and reading the Bible. Sadly, the blog usually ends up at the bottom of this list. Even more sadly, reading the Bible isn't very high up, either. I've always struggled with that. It's like, once I'm reading it, I don't want to put it down, but it takes forever to motivate myself to open it up. Sigh."
Apparently, it has been this way for writing on the blog, as well. I feel like I have to devote a ton of time to a post, and always find myself wasting that time doing something else. BUT!! Since I was a big girl this week and successfully read from my Bible, I figured I could go ahead and tackle this as well. Also, I enjoy writing and I miss it.
Living in Knoxville has been just fine these last six months, but I must admit, pretty dull in the middle of the day. There was that one month when I didn't have a car and walked to the grocery store or to McKay's for entertainment, or the month after that when I did have a car again, and just drove to the Greenway to run all the time... Freedom is nice, but so is variety. So, to my great happiness, I FINALLY got a job. A fun job. The sort of job I've always wanted.
Believe it or not, I actually applied at Mast last summer, six months before I even lived here (I applied again at the end of March). Ohh... I think it'll be fun. I know I see the whole thing in a rosy fog right now, though. I am learning that my co-workers are just as imperfect as I am, even though I spent ten minutes telling my grandmother about how awesome everyone is (before I'd even met half of them).
It makes me a little nervous to know that they've talked about "the new girl." I haven't been a "new girl" in a while. Or had a job. Come to think of it, I haven't worked since September. I had no idea I'd be taking eight months off. Jeez.
I'll admit, I was a little hesitant to work again. Since moving to Rockford, I had really started to enjoy my days a lot more. It's nice to be able to step outside and run any amount you like, whenever you like. I had also really gotten used to reading and writing a lot, and I remember thinking, "If I get a job, I won't be able to run and work and read and write, all in one day!" I have a feeling this will be true. I will have to learn true motivation to accomplish all of these things. For example, I woke up at 5:00 on Tuesday to run before going to work. I did it, but I'm still exhausted from it. How do people (like my husband) get up at this hour every single day? Will I ever be able to train for this marathon if I can't even pull myself up out of bed?
For those of you not in Chattanooga at 11:00 pm on Thursday, May 20, you may not know that it is thundering like mad outside. Joshua and I are in his parents' basement guest room, and he's already out cold, curled up under the covers. We're here for two reasons: first, today was his mommy's birthday (yay!), and second, we're driving to Atlanta tomorrow morning to fly down to the Bahamas for four days. Yes, the Bahamas. I don't think either of us have ever been there. Joshua's had this trip up his sleeve for several months, now. I knew we would be going somewhere beachy, but I didn't know exactly where until recently. Surprise! Wouldn't it be fun if I could post while we're there? I may very* well do so, if we can ever find cheap-as-free internet.
*Sidenote: I recently came across an excellent list of quotes (mostly writing advice), which included this hilarious one from Mark Twain: “Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very;” your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.” So perhaps I should edit my above statement to read, "I may (well) do so..."
My favorite on the list was one I'd heard before from Madeleine L’Engle:
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
:)
Last week my friend Jesse Myers wrote to me saying that he enjoyed reading my blog, though I hadn't written anything lately. I responded:
"It has become a battle recently between writing on the blog, writing emails, writing for fun, reading novels, and reading the Bible. Sadly, the blog usually ends up at the bottom of this list. Even more sadly, reading the Bible isn't very high up, either. I've always struggled with that. It's like, once I'm reading it, I don't want to put it down, but it takes forever to motivate myself to open it up. Sigh."
Apparently, it has been this way for writing on the blog, as well. I feel like I have to devote a ton of time to a post, and always find myself wasting that time doing something else. BUT!! Since I was a big girl this week and successfully read from my Bible, I figured I could go ahead and tackle this as well. Also, I enjoy writing and I miss it.
Living in Knoxville has been just fine these last six months, but I must admit, pretty dull in the middle of the day. There was that one month when I didn't have a car and walked to the grocery store or to McKay's for entertainment, or the month after that when I did have a car again, and just drove to the Greenway to run all the time... Freedom is nice, but so is variety. So, to my great happiness, I FINALLY got a job. A fun job. The sort of job I've always wanted.
Believe it or not, I actually applied at Mast last summer, six months before I even lived here (I applied again at the end of March). Ohh... I think it'll be fun. I know I see the whole thing in a rosy fog right now, though. I am learning that my co-workers are just as imperfect as I am, even though I spent ten minutes telling my grandmother about how awesome everyone is (before I'd even met half of them).
It makes me a little nervous to know that they've talked about "the new girl." I haven't been a "new girl" in a while. Or had a job. Come to think of it, I haven't worked since September. I had no idea I'd be taking eight months off. Jeez.
I'll admit, I was a little hesitant to work again. Since moving to Rockford, I had really started to enjoy my days a lot more. It's nice to be able to step outside and run any amount you like, whenever you like. I had also really gotten used to reading and writing a lot, and I remember thinking, "If I get a job, I won't be able to run and work and read and write, all in one day!" I have a feeling this will be true. I will have to learn true motivation to accomplish all of these things. For example, I woke up at 5:00 on Tuesday to run before going to work. I did it, but I'm still exhausted from it. How do people (like my husband) get up at this hour every single day? Will I ever be able to train for this marathon if I can't even pull myself up out of bed?
For those of you not in Chattanooga at 11:00 pm on Thursday, May 20, you may not know that it is thundering like mad outside. Joshua and I are in his parents' basement guest room, and he's already out cold, curled up under the covers. We're here for two reasons: first, today was his mommy's birthday (yay!), and second, we're driving to Atlanta tomorrow morning to fly down to the Bahamas for four days. Yes, the Bahamas. I don't think either of us have ever been there. Joshua's had this trip up his sleeve for several months, now. I knew we would be going somewhere beachy, but I didn't know exactly where until recently. Surprise! Wouldn't it be fun if I could post while we're there? I may very* well do so, if we can ever find cheap-as-free internet.
*Sidenote: I recently came across an excellent list of quotes (mostly writing advice), which included this hilarious one from Mark Twain: “Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very;” your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.” So perhaps I should edit my above statement to read, "I may (well) do so..."
My favorite on the list was one I'd heard before from Madeleine L’Engle:
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
:)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
nothing, in particular
Well, now I know that figuring out what to write in your second-ever blog post is even more difficult than the first. I want every post to be about something, but I can't decide what. The most famous/addictive blogs are always about one thing. Whether it be raising foster kittens, cooking through Julia Child's recipes, or sharing daily wedding tips/pictures... these are the sorts of blogs that catch eyes, and sometimes get turned into books and movies. Granted, that is not my goal in the least, but I feel like it would be easier for me to write if I had some focal topic, other than just an endless slew of what-I-did-todays.
So what focal topics can I offer? Living way out in the country was my first thought, but it's not like I'm the only one who does. Living here is far less interesting than, say, living on Mt. LeConte.
There's always the cat, but it sort of creeps me out when I read blogs from the 'pet's point-of-view.' I'm not that kind of a person... at least, not yet. Let's hope I can hold it off for a while.
Running is interesting, to some. The fact that I'm registered to run a marathon in six months should be interesting to all, considering my lack of experience and abysmal athleticism. This can be where I document my gruesome training and ultimate unraveling at the 18-mile mark on 10/10/10. Let this not be a self-fulfilling prophecy, but perhaps one day this will be made into a movie-- one that shakes its finger, as if to say, "Don't run a marathon if you are physically incapable, or you may die, or turn into human spaghetti." A morality play for couch potatoes and theatre majors who get themselves confused with the cross country team.
A runner friend of mine said the other day, "You are one brave woman." Am I? You've been running since middle school, and I'm brave for doing a marathon after only running for a year? Uh-oh. I think the word you're looking for is "stupid," not brave. My 2:55-finishing husband has tricked me into believing that, just as "anyone can cook," anyone can run 26.2 miles in one go (in less that six hours). This may be my downfall.
If I'm dramatic enough, it could work. But these are just silly fears, things that gnaw on my brain and get in the way of my primary feeling, which is that I enjoy running enough to desire the training, and that I will most likely not die on October 10th, and that if I walk some/don't finish, no one will hold it against me. I also doubt I want to devote an entire blog to the experience.
I like writing, but after mentioning it in the last post, I felt very self-conscious and pretentious. Joshua and I go hiking a lot, but I don't want to only talk about that, either. Maybe I'll just stick to the "slew," and write what I know. It won't be concise, and there will be many topics, but I'll probably enjoy it more , and chances are, so will you. Can it be decided, then? Julie Maughon is writing a blog about nothing, in particular, which may include (but won't be limited to) living way out in Rockford, the cat, running, hiking, noteworthy occurrences, good movies/music, traveling, various amusements, reading/writing, et cetera.
Thanks for letting me work it out.
So what focal topics can I offer? Living way out in the country was my first thought, but it's not like I'm the only one who does. Living here is far less interesting than, say, living on Mt. LeConte.
There's always the cat, but it sort of creeps me out when I read blogs from the 'pet's point-of-view.' I'm not that kind of a person... at least, not yet. Let's hope I can hold it off for a while.
Running is interesting, to some. The fact that I'm registered to run a marathon in six months should be interesting to all, considering my lack of experience and abysmal athleticism. This can be where I document my gruesome training and ultimate unraveling at the 18-mile mark on 10/10/10. Let this not be a self-fulfilling prophecy, but perhaps one day this will be made into a movie-- one that shakes its finger, as if to say, "Don't run a marathon if you are physically incapable, or you may die, or turn into human spaghetti." A morality play for couch potatoes and theatre majors who get themselves confused with the cross country team.
A runner friend of mine said the other day, "You are one brave woman." Am I? You've been running since middle school, and I'm brave for doing a marathon after only running for a year? Uh-oh. I think the word you're looking for is "stupid," not brave. My 2:55-finishing husband has tricked me into believing that, just as "anyone can cook," anyone can run 26.2 miles in one go (in less that six hours). This may be my downfall.
If I'm dramatic enough, it could work. But these are just silly fears, things that gnaw on my brain and get in the way of my primary feeling, which is that I enjoy running enough to desire the training, and that I will most likely not die on October 10th, and that if I walk some/don't finish, no one will hold it against me. I also doubt I want to devote an entire blog to the experience.
I like writing, but after mentioning it in the last post, I felt very self-conscious and pretentious. Joshua and I go hiking a lot, but I don't want to only talk about that, either. Maybe I'll just stick to the "slew," and write what I know. It won't be concise, and there will be many topics, but I'll probably enjoy it more , and chances are, so will you. Can it be decided, then? Julie Maughon is writing a blog about nothing, in particular, which may include (but won't be limited to) living way out in Rockford, the cat, running, hiking, noteworthy occurrences, good movies/music, traveling, various amusements, reading/writing, et cetera.
Thanks for letting me work it out.
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