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Feb. 3rd, 2010 @ 08:51 pm Falling down
Current Mood: ouch
I was walking down the alley behind my office building to catch the bus home this evening, when my left foot caught on something. Without looking down, I did a little hop-skip to clear my foot. No luck. Then my right foot got caught too. I tried valiantly (i.e., flailed wildly) to get my feet free, to no avail. I then had that aw-crap-I'm-falling-and-I-can't-do-anything-about-it feeling and fell headlong on the asphalt. I'm guessing the whole thing looked hy-larious. My hands went out in front of me, and I skidded a couple of inches. That's gonna hurt, I thought.

As I turned myself over, I saw what had brought me down - one of those large, plastic ties used for binding boxes. I somehow managed to get both of my feet ensnared and went down like I had been hog-tied. I tore up the palm of my right hand a bit and scraped both knees - without tearing my pants, amazingly enough. Scuffed the crap outta my favorite pair of shoes, though.

A nice lady in an SUV stopped to make sure I was OK. A not so nice man in a restaurant chided me for not asking when I took a few napkins to dab the blood from my hand. And then I missed my bus. And then the next bus was nearly half an hour late. Meh. I had a big bowl of cereal for dinner, which I ate with a big spoon. I felt better.
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Bloody GIR
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Feb. 1st, 2010 @ 06:58 pm I'm going to New York!
Current Mood: psyched!
In all my travels, I haven't yet been to New York. I was chatting online with my coworker Mary a while ago when she mentioned that she won a contest on Twitter, and the prize was a trip to NY to see a taping of Martha Stewart. Her husband didn't want to go. Her mom didn't want to go. So, she asked me. Really? Really. Cool! I will happily watch a couple hours of Martha for a free trip to NY. We get airfare and two nights' lodging. Mary has kindly offered to use her hotel points for another couple of nights. We'll be there Apr 12 - 16. Woo-hoo!

Alas, JoCo has shows in NY just a week and a half prior.
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GIR
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Jan. 29th, 2010 @ 10:36 pm Running Barefoot
If you do an online search of "barefoot running," you'll find a bunch of information about a trend in running for folks to ditch their fancy-pants running shoes. I first heard about this from Ian. His brother has been running barefoot (or with minimal shoes) for a little while now. The basic idea is that humans are designed for running and have been doing so without the aid of running shoes for tens of thousands of years. In fact, it is argued, running in extra padded shoes significantly alters our natural gait, forcing encouraging a longer stride that lands on the heel, which promotes injury. There's a relatively new book out by a guy named Christopher McDougall called Born to Run, which explains a lot of this.

I find that as I get older, I'm turning into something of a hippy. (She said, sipping her organic echinacea tea while nibbling a on her Ezekiel 4:9 bread toast.) I thought I'd give it a try. I read several articles online. They suggested a slow approach, getting the feet used to working barefoot before just dashing off on a run. It's not about toughening up the soles so much as it is about getting the muscles used to functioning a little differently. So, I started walking around my neighborhood barefoot, a little at a time.

A few nights ago I went out for a run for the first time in several weeks. Felt good. And I did it in my flip-flops. (The running trail on Culver Blvd is sandy and ouchy.) Then I did it again. Tonight I went for a longer run, and did more than half of it completely barefoot - on the sidewalk, the bike path, the grass. Other than my calves being more sore than usual, I feel great. Feet don't hurt at all.

I ordered myself a pair of Vibram FiveFingers to protect my feet from hazards. They're basically heavy-duty gloves for your feet. They arrived a few days ago but were uncomfortably tight. Apparently, I'm at the upper end of that particular size, so I'll have to exchange them.

On a different but related topic, I'm really enjoying running, which I never would have believed I could. I don't know if I get that "runner's high," but there's definitely a point where, after you've been running for a ways, your body stops fighting complaining and accepts its fate, at which point you feel like you could just keep running forever. It's kinda cool. And it helps with my mood. And my waistline. It's all good.

Yeah, so there's that.
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Running
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Jan. 28th, 2010 @ 01:28 pm My friend Eric is amazing
Current Mood: proud yet humbled

Eric and I have known each other since we were fifteen. (He was the "BOUS" - bridesmaid of unusual shape - at my wedding.) Eric has always been a kind and generous person. Now, he's a physician assistant, and he's currenlty providing medical care in Haiti. With his wife's permission, I'm posting an email he just sent to his friends and family. I thought folks would be interested in reading a first-hand account of what's going on there.


( Read more... )
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GIR
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Jan. 16th, 2010 @ 10:18 pm Making space.
Current Mood: not crazed (for the moment)
My life is crowded. With things and activities. I would like to shed some activities eventually, but I have obligated myself to several things for a while longer, and I can't just drop them. In the meantime, I've managed to create a little bit of breathing room. Jouyssance is on hiatus until we start rehearsals for the June concert. I just finished the bulk of the work for the solo competition. The children's choir was supposed to start spring semester last week, but I decided that the group wouldn't suffer if we started Feb 14 instead, after I get back from a two-week audit in Oregon. This means I have a few weeks with significantly reduced obligations, so hopefully, I can get caught up. Or at least get to a place where I'm not overwhelmed.

Today, after the solo competition wrapped up, I sent an email to my choir, explaining that we'll be starting the semester late. Then I took a walk along the bike/jogging path on Culver Blvd. Then I soaked in a hot bath (with some Crabtree & Evelyn bath milk and a little lavender water thrown in for good measure), listening to the radio and surfing the web on my phone. It was lovely. At the moment, I'm installing Portal, so that I can finally play it. (Two years late.) Tomorrow, I'll do the church gig, and then some laundry. :-)

Also, my family and I are helping to take care of one of my sisters who has developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the last couple of years, along with other health issues. Her partner, who has been her caregiver, will be out of the country for a few months, so we're all filling in while he's gone. She asked me to act as coordinator, and of course, I agreed without hesitation. How could I not?
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Zombie Diva
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Jan. 15th, 2010 @ 01:32 am Dear Ms. Kennedy:

Thank you for your application to the Yale School of Music. Your interest in the choral conducting program is shared with talented young artists from throughout the world, and each application is seriously considered by a panel of distinguished faculty members.

Unfortunately, we are unable to grant you admission to the Yale School of Music for the 2010–2011 academic year. Best wishes for continued success in your musical pursuits.

Sincerely yours,

Robert Blocker
The Henry and Lucy Moses Dean of Music

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Conductor
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Jan. 6th, 2010 @ 10:58 pm Take my stuff... *please*!
Current Mood: crowded!
I have moved to a place that is not sufficient to support my pack-rat lifestyle. Please take my belongings. Everything is OBO. I'm not looking to make money; I mainly want to keep this stuff out of landfills. And it's not bad stuff, if I do say so myself. If you'd like any of it, email me or leave a comment.

- NordicTrack Pro ski machine with electronic monitor and manual

- Brother SX-4000 typewriter with manual

- Toshiba Pocket PC e335 PDA with case, cradle and manual (and possibly software)

- Casio Cassiopeia E-100 PDA with case, cradle and manual (and possibly software)

- Black & Decker DustBuster/Spillbuster (aka wet/dry) cordless hand vac with wall mount and manual RB

- Grant crockpot, plus "Jumbo Jack's Crockpot Favorites" cookbook

- electric fryer

CDs:
- The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" RB

- "Musiques Nuptiales" (collection of classical music) RB

- Time-Life "Ultimate Classical Library" 10-CD set RB

VHS tapes:
- Schoolhouse Rock (4 tapes: History Rock, Multiplication Rock, Science Rock and Grammar Rock) RH

- Joe Versus the Volcano

- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

- Clockwork Orange
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Zombie Diva
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Jan. 2nd, 2010 @ 09:23 pm Ringing in the new year
Current Mood: relaxed, for the moment...
I just got back from a lovely weekend of doing a whole lot of not much with [info]chartreusekitty, [info]michaelar, their two darling daughters, [info]colleency, [info]obishawn, and [info]amybee28 in Julian, a small town in SoCal known mainly for its apples. We stayed in the Historical House, which turned out to be a bit more old than it was charming, but it suited our purposes well: a couple of days of R&R and comradery away from home. We intended to play games. We didn't. Instead, we talked. And we ate. We walked around town and talked and ate some more. I could say more about the town, but what was most satisfying and memorable about our stay was simply enjoying the company of good friends. It's reassuring to know that people are still able to relate to each other without an electronic interface.

Also, I got to start my day today by having a soak in a claw-foot tub. :-)

Happy 2010, everybody!
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Zombie Diva
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Dec. 28th, 2009 @ 09:23 pm "I am here! I am here!"
Haven't posted in a little while, because I've been busy with the moving and the getting caught up at work and the holidays. I'm still around. I'm doing OK. And I'm going to see Jonathan Coulton five times in the space of four weeks. So really, how bad can life be? ;-)
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Zombie Diva
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Nov. 28th, 2009 @ 10:51 am Yatta!
Current Mood: proud
Ran my first 5k this morning. It was an important victory over the forces of chaos. ;-)

Even though many people twice my age ran circles around me, I met my goal of running the entire course without dropping into a walk. I came in 343rd, with a time of 40:03. Hey, I didn't come in last! And being my first race, I can call it a personal best. Woo-hoo!

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GIR
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Nov. 23rd, 2009 @ 10:08 pm Depending on the kindness of strangers. Well, strangers that I know.
So, I hate to ask, but I was wondering if anyone might be available to help me move next week, please. I can probably move much of the stuff on my own in the car, but I'll need help with large items, like the couch. No fridge to move, thankfully, but the new place is a second floor apartment. One of the deacons at the church where I work has offered me the use of his van and dollies. The apartment will officially be ready for me to move in on Tues Dec 1. I'm taking the whole week off from work, so my schedule's flexible. [info]vadenalim has also offered to help, and he's free Thurs, Fri and Sat that week.

Oh, and the new place is near Culver and Inglewood, just a few miles from the current place.

Thanks. :-)
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Zombie Diva
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Nov. 21st, 2009 @ 01:16 pm "Do you know what they call alternative medicine that's been proved to work? Medicine."
Current Mood: highly amused
[info]notjenschiz has been extolling the virtues of Tim Minchin to me for a while now, forwarding me links to several witty and amusing videos. I am tempted to drop everything I'm doing today and jump down the rabbit hole of Tim's YouTube channel and watch everything. This guy is brilliant.

Please enjoy this excellent 9-minute (and NSFW) skeptic's rant. :-)

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Zombie Diva
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Nov. 18th, 2009 @ 12:30 am Alternate Reality
Current Mood: um...
When did I start living in a universe where John-frakkin-Hodgman twitters at me unsolicited?

( Whah?! )
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Hodgman
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Nov. 14th, 2009 @ 11:57 am Santa Monica Gobble Wobble
Current Mood: humanitarian-ian
I went for a run this morning, which reminded me that I'm running a 5k Thanksgiving weekend. (Oh, yeah.) Two weeks from today, in fact. The first annual Santa Monica Gobble Wobble benefits the Westside Food Bank, and all participants are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food. If any Angelenos would like to contribute to my food donation, please contact me to arrange a drop-off. I'm home most evenings.

Here's what they need.
Cans of: Tuna, Vegetables, and Soup / Fruits and Fruit Juices / Pork & Beans / Stews & Other Meats. Packaged Foods: Pasta, Lentils, Pinto and other beans. / Macaroni & Cheese & Packaged Dinners / Instant Soups / Hot and Cold Cereals / Peanut Butter & other Nut Butters / Nutritional Bars: protein, granola, energy or breakfast bars. (No glass please, except for baby food.)

Thanks!
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GIR
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Nov. 12th, 2009 @ 11:01 pm Posts from the lazy blog...
  • 00:10 In the words of the great Charlie Brown, "AAUGH!" #fb #
  • 09:06 @SagatiousT Excellent news! Just heard about it on NPR. Also, nice use of the word "extirpated." :-) #
  • 13:01 Regarding my most recent post... Life is behaving like Lucy van Pelt with a football. :-P #fb #
  • 13:25 I have food. First time I've been grocery shopping in about four months. (And for those following along, I got the H2O2.) #fb #
  • 19:00 The day is improving. In line w/ sister Val to see Huey Lewis right now. I know at least Rich might be envious. :-) #fb #
  • 19:36 twitpic.com/pb4sn - Not bad for free GA SRO tix, huh? #fb #
  • 20:07 twitpic.com/pb8pe - Having fun with my big sister. (One of them, anyway.) ;-) #fb #
  • 21:04 twitpic.com/pbf63 - Holy shit! Front row center!!!!11!!1!!! Huey sounds as great as ever! :-D #fb #
  • 21:06 Rich: They just set up the a cappella mics! Squee!!! #fb #
  • 22:11 twitpic.com/pbl7m - Gotta get back in time! Danny rockin' the Back to the Future shirt with Val. :-) #fb #
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Zombie Diva
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Nov. 11th, 2009 @ 11:01 pm Posts from the lazy blog...

  • 10:02 A secret no more: @mikelombardo and @Molly23 will be playing in Long Beach on 1/14/10 at 8pm. :-) #fb #

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Zombie Diva
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Nov. 10th, 2009 @ 11:01 pm Posts from the lazy blog...
  • 00:04 twitpic.com/oz5ob - Blurry @hodgman is blurry. And playing Santa Baby on my new uke. :-) #fb #
  • 00:10 twitpic.com/oz5ob - (He's also drinking my Malort.) #fb #
  • 16:50 Ugh. I am so hating life right now. Work is teh stinky. :-/ #fb #
  • 19:23 I helpded makeded this! The Mandelbrot Set's latest @jonathancoulton cover: My Monkey. trunc.it/37t2u (via @MaW) Yay, bandmates! #fb #
  • 22:14 Where's *my* Ctrl+Alt+Del? ::sigh:: #fb #
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Zombie Diva
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Nov. 9th, 2009 @ 11:01 pm Posts from the lazy blog...

  • 15:21 Surreal: Most recent @ replies are from: a minor television personality, an internet-famous musician and a published fantasy writer. o_O #fb #

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Zombie Diva
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Nov. 8th, 2009 @ 11:01 pm Posts from the lazy blog...
  • 07:53 Ugh. I'm having a high inertia day. #
  • 13:22 One of my friends has declared my mild, newly-acquired lisp "adorable." #fb #
  • 14:46 At children's choir rehearsal later today, there will be Maori and African dancing. :-) #fb #
  • 19:16 Hey, LA folks. What's happening on the 101 south, north of the 405, please? And how do I get out of it? #fb #
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Zombie Diva
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Nov. 7th, 2009 @ 11:01 pm Posts from the lazy blog...
  • 10:25 Behind on music projects. (Sorry, @JadeSnake and @SpaceParanoids.) But having a backlog of *music*-related stuff feels kinda good. #fb #
  • 11:16 Reminder: @hodgman @ @BookSoup @ Mon Nov 9 @ 7:00pm @ free. #
  • 16:02 I am successfully masticating chicken enchiladas. Go me. #fb #
  • 16:37 I made a valiant effort, but over half an hour later, the chicken enchiladas have won. Discretion is the better part of valor. #fb #
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Zombie Diva
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