tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108560922024-03-13T04:30:21.401-04:00Plants First, Fish NextThe original intent of this journal was to chronicle the trials and tribulations of the struggling twenty-something, as I searched for love and happiness in the small city-burb of ManchVegas, NH.
Now, I'm thirty-something, I've found love in many forms, happiness in even more, and now the struggle is just... well... life. And finding time to do the million and one things I want to do- including writing.leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-28684653007049772792011-08-23T08:24:00.000-04:002011-08-23T08:24:56.981-04:00...Oh! Hello there!That's where I put this thing! I thought it was in the drawer, or maybe on my dresser under the pile of mail... You know, you always find stuff when you're not looking for it. And isn't the summer when stuff gets lost the most? Zipping home from work to grab shorts and flip flops for a drink on the deck, weekends at beaches, bbq's, pools, and parties, wonderful days of playing hookie from work to bask in the sun*... <div><br />
</div><div>But now the days are growing shorter (it was actually dark at 8:30 last night... I almost cried), and fall is upon us. I think everyone that's gone through the traditional 12-22+ years of schooling still feels that "back to school" rhythm as September approaches. It's time to shake off those lazy summer days and get back to work. For me, work (my job) becomes increasingly demanding and taxing of my time, my mind, and my emotions. </div><div><br />
</div><div>As ever, I struggle to simplify my life, and as ever, end up mostly failing. I canceled cable and internet to reduce my costs as I acquired a smart phone and spend 9 hours a day, 5 days a week connected to the internet. It's been a good choice for me, but it means I can't sit down with a glass of wine on a Tuesday and sketch out blog posts. I've also been trying to enjoy time outside this summer, between hiking, running, paddling, and the occasional "relaxing." Weddings, parties, and hockey have filled in the gaps, and suddenly the summer is almost gone. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I feel the writing bug has bitten me again, and I look forward to sharing my experiences and thoughts here, but I know September is a bear. Last year I broke into hysterical crying fits almost every week day. I do NOT want to let this job get to me in the same way this year. I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to accomplish that. The hardest part is parents yelling at me. I have a hard time giving in to the selfish demands- it ends up running up our budget and/or it's against policy and unfair of me to give one parent more than I give others... but it would be so much EASIER to just let it happen (at first, at least). Just say ANYTHING to get them off the phone. It's times like this I had a good boss- someone I could go to for advice (as I write this I received a call from a parent who is concerned that her student now must walk <b>one </b>block away from her home rather than stand at the corner directly in front of it to get the bus stop- this in an upscale residential neighborhood- the horror). I don't understand why we have this culture of allowing parents to dictate how we spend, or hopefully DON'T spend, taxpayer money. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Already my blood is boiling, and school starts in 7 days. Since bosslady is not a viable resource, any advice on how to stay calm during this tumultuous period? Maybe, not answer the phone?</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*I realize that sunbathing, especially for a whitey like me, is generally unhealthy due to cancer blah blah, but the sun shines so rarely in New England that I try to produce all of my Vitamin D during these months and store it like jam for the winter.</span></div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-67274487305945345182011-06-30T10:39:00.000-04:002011-06-30T10:39:03.446-04:00SnapshotAKA: where I am forced through vague internet social law to post something on this blog and then attempt to force 4 more people to do the same. Out of love, of course.<br />
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<a href="http://domesticallyflawed.blogspot.com/2011/06/snapshot.html">Heather from Domestically Flawed</a> lovingly tagged me in this little photo post meme thingamabob (god I feel old today). <br />
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<ol><li>Go to the fourth folder where you store your pics on your computer (or in picasa in my case)</li>
<li>Pick the fourth photo in the folder</li>
<li>Explain the picture</li>
<li>Tag four people to do the same</li>
</ol><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJMQ-m2nfxE/TWU3w6I372I/AAAAAAAAAzw/RCZseqUUudI/s1600/2011_02_23_11_24_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJMQ-m2nfxE/TWU3w6I372I/AAAAAAAAAzw/RCZseqUUudI/s400/2011_02_23_11_24_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother Mine reading a Cookie Monster book to me and Blankey circa 1982</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>I was saving this one for a Blast from the Past post, but since I haven't posted at all in a while... Brother Mine is 3 1/2 years older than me, but it always felt like more when we were growing up. He's very very very smart (too much for his own good sometimes), so he was also moved forward in school. We played together sometimes, but growing up we were never "close" like secret keepers or anything. We bonded a bit as our parents split, but even our differing takes on the divorce kept us separate. I treasure this photo because it was one of the rare and special times that my big brother paid full attention to me, which as a younger sister was all I wanted. We're closer now than we've ever been, yes, with 3,000 miles separating us.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Also, I sucked my thumb until I was 8 and got my first retainer. Do not let your children suck their thumbs. I was at the orthodontist for 8 years until they finally just gave up and said "good enough." Not that my parents didn't try- I was a stubborn child.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Ok, now I have to tag people. If I tag you, don't feel too obligated, though I would love to see a picture post from you. :-) It's out of love, remember. So <a href="http://felixatvtc.blogspot.com/">Josh</a>, <a href="http://sherpajohn.blogspot.com/">Sherpa</a>, <a href="http://heatherella.livejournal.com/">Heatherella</a>, and <a href="http://encarna.tumblr.com/">Encarna</a>, get to it!!</div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-34027768897395782232011-05-14T13:44:00.000-04:002011-05-14T13:44:13.596-04:00Muddy Moose, Nerd Herd, and Other Outdoor AdventuresMay started out grand with the Fergus Cullen Muddy Moose run. I had planned on running the 14 mile loop, but my training just wasn't (isn't) there. I had a BLAST running the 4 mile course, though! The weather was cool, but mild and sunny. There was plenty of mud to go around. When I was hosing off my legs, the race director asked if I had left any mud in the woods. "I tried not to," I replied. Hey, if you can't run fast, run dirty.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NdQxshmlPfE/Tb8N7UMrOfI/AAAAAAAAA-w/XrqBjOZIrjc/s1600/226057_2039454272257_1421298616_32378525_3423911_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NdQxshmlPfE/Tb8N7UMrOfI/AAAAAAAAA-w/XrqBjOZIrjc/s320/226057_2039454272257_1421298616_32378525_3423911_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirt in the Skirt!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I also started playing in net for the Nerd Herd. With Face on sabbatical, Capn Mop wanted to keep a lady in net and maintain our winning strategy. It was a big task, but I took it on willingly. Reading, practicing, and only crying once, I prepared to start the season. My Runner painted a fantastic mask just for me, showcasing the Herd logo and my Ferret totems. While I've made rookie mistakes in each game, I've done fairly well. We've won each match so far, and I've made a few saves I'm very proud of. I'm happy to see that I'm improving every time. Learning the new position has reinvigorated my love of the game.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fzCDyY3MTzdZ_pR1HbeJlMMfX68VwgSxZXQYicxjt6pvSujbvQDhplqejXXvf022YbBu4RriJstpR31-1RfBV4Dj2E5orX3gi-b55bWwehpdvXtS4YHXXb-_rpknVYHuvDVCsg/s1600/Mask-MuddyMoose+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fzCDyY3MTzdZ_pR1HbeJlMMfX68VwgSxZXQYicxjt6pvSujbvQDhplqejXXvf022YbBu4RriJstpR31-1RfBV4Dj2E5orX3gi-b55bWwehpdvXtS4YHXXb-_rpknVYHuvDVCsg/s320/Mask-MuddyMoose+004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mask, in process. Intimidating, no?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
While Puma ran the Wapack race, and Taps and My Runner ran the trail backwards, Moose, Gazelle and I hiked Temple Mountain out and back. The ski resort on Temple has been closed for 10 years, and it was amazing to see how much had grown up around the downhill trails. The weather was much nicer than anticipated... unfortunately the black flies felt the same. Being unable to stop due to the swarms of bugs, we POWERED up and down the mountain, covering 9 miles and change in 4 hours. We met up with My Runner at a pub in Peterborough and enjoyed our successes.<br />
<br />
Brother Mine has come into town recently to visit and to celebrate my mother's graduation & new job. We made plenty of plans to hang, since we see each other so rarely, including a hike in Bear Brook with Brother Mine and my Mother. Both are near the start of their personal fitness journeys, so we did an easy-moderate 4ish mile hike on the cross country trails of the park. Brother Mine and Mom both did really well, and we had a great couple of hours as a family to catch up and have good times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBITZ8lkMKY/TcwsWiyzF-I/AAAAAAAABAA/L0DXG_RMPc8/s1600/DSCN2088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBITZ8lkMKY/TcwsWiyzF-I/AAAAAAAABAA/L0DXG_RMPc8/s320/DSCN2088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Happy Family</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This morning My Runner and I had planned a 10+ mile run, but both realized how crappy our training has been recently. We had a great 6 mile run on the local roads and through a bit of Fox Forrest. With Pineland Trail Festival coming up in two weeks, a 5K and 25K looming before me, the motivation to train is finally getting strong. leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-82614425809548882822011-04-26T17:55:00.001-04:002011-04-26T17:59:41.046-04:00Lost in the Woods Part 2<a href="http://leeapeea.blogspot.com/2011/04/lost-in-woods-part-1.html">Link to Part 1</a><br />
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The jolt of seeing someone from the "outside world" helps me to finally climb out of my inner emotional hole. I grab a Gu pack for some more calories and hope it helps. Taps is quick, so I had a feeling he'd catch me soon, and he certainly does. He again suggests we work together, and I'm more than happy for the company at this point- anything to keep me from being the crazy crying cussing monster I'd been for the last hour plus.<br />
<br />
While I've seen Taps attentive, calm, and thoughtful, that's about as doleful as he gets. He's a positive person with a good amount of energy. Just working together improves my mood. He shares his difficulties with the directions and the map, I share mine with the terrain. We might actually do pretty well together. Too bad I "poo-poo'd" the idea of working as a team at the start. Between the two of us we find book 6 with little issues.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zr7nDHYwUzw/TadX_qa0-fI/AAAAAAAAA9A/CyqVAjs7jkI/s1600/book+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zr7nDHYwUzw/TadX_qa0-fI/AAAAAAAAA9A/CyqVAjs7jkI/s400/book+6.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found in a stone wall near the boundary of Fox Forrest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The relatively easy find lifts my spirits even more. We're headed towards Book 7, the first of the set that Puma hid. The tone of the directions change with the new author and we're struggling a bit. We run into Puma on the way. While it was great to see another face, it was kind of a bummer that we came upon her while she had the book in her hand. It was great to cross another one off the list, though. I might have been feeling better emotionally, but I was starting to get physically tired. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpqLroo7mjc/TadX_-aLWTI/AAAAAAAAA9E/QeJ9EAnl2lM/s1600/book+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpqLroo7mjc/TadX_-aLWTI/AAAAAAAAA9E/QeJ9EAnl2lM/s400/book+7.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up, Down, back, forth, that's pretty much what this adventure was like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And now we're three. We're in the same part of the woods we ran through on Puma's birthday run, and I recognize it. I point out to Taps where he drove his truck onto the now unused Concord End Rd to pick me up the very last time I seriously hurt my ankle. We laugh and laugh about how I always hurt myself. hehe... awww...<br />
<br />
The directions have a funny little passage on the way to Book 8:<br />
<blockquote>"There is a crevice in-between two of the boulders that I would take a closer look at. It would make a good hiding spot would it not? Oh well, continue your NE climb..." </blockquote>"What is that supposed to mean?" Taps wonders. Puma's following us, trying not to lead us where we're supposed to go. I have an idea.... and it's Trail Magic!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxB-qRx-cH4/Tbc184Zt5aI/AAAAAAAAA94/jBGDBOF3nCg/s1600/Fox-Barkley+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxB-qRx-cH4/Tbc184Zt5aI/AAAAAAAAA94/jBGDBOF3nCg/s320/Fox-Barkley+028.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum- frosty beers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
My stomach is churning from crying and poor eating, and Taps is playing last-minute anorexic to win his Biggest Looser contest at work (he did, btw, for $230 prize), so we split our beer. We get back on the trail and I'm feeling confident (it could have been the booze talking). Not far along the trail we find Book 8.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V52zzRgOSN4/TadYAdHLVYI/AAAAAAAAA9I/I5e7UrXrRYI/s1600/book+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V52zzRgOSN4/TadYAdHLVYI/AAAAAAAAA9I/I5e7UrXrRYI/s400/book+8.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Jesus book. If you didn't know us you'd think we were religious folks. In reality we got all these from the dump.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We miss the turn from the trail to the unmarked "Ancient" trail and Puma corrects us. I'm glad we didn't waste time, but it's hard to go with someone who knows where they're going. Taps suggests we hang back as she goes ahead, and I'm happy for the break. We study the next few sections of directions. I know we've been on parts of this trail before, but everthing looks different in the winter. We confirm the directions on the map, spending some time ensuring we wouldn't get lost. <br />
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We follow the trail with no issues to Book 9, eventually finding it well hidden in the bridge discarded at the side of the stream. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-491jT60kUeY/TadYA2ueZcI/AAAAAAAAA9M/yNUbrIUSkbM/s1600/book+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-491jT60kUeY/TadYA2ueZcI/AAAAAAAAA9M/yNUbrIUSkbM/s400/book+9.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All three of these children could represent my emotional status at some point during this adventure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Now we came to the "Choose your own adventure" portion of the show. No, really, it's in the directions. We could choose one of three ways to get to Book 10, hidden at the kiosk in a large, recently logged area of the forest. One way had you continue down the trail and meet up with Ridge Trail, following established routes. Another had you backtracking to Concord End Rd. The third and most direct course was to follow the stream back to established trail. We only had one book left, and we were both eager to get it and finish. We chose to follow the stream until it met with the run-able trails/roads. Following the stream WAS direct, but it was challenging- again post-holing through snow covered tree fall and rocks. <br />
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It was great to run again once we got to Concord End Road. I didn't care that my feet were wet- I could smell the finish and we were covering ground faster at the end of this run then we had all day. We were able to run all the way to the kiosk in Oak Lot, passing Puma along the way who had taken a different route, where the final book was hidden beneath a rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JH974wXW9Vs/TadYBH-utpI/AAAAAAAAA9U/itrNL3ePrX8/s1600/book+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JH974wXW9Vs/TadYBH-utpI/AAAAAAAAA9U/itrNL3ePrX8/s400/book+10.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I barely looked at the title- just tore it out and stuffed it in my pack. I was ready to be done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I look at Taps- there's no way we're bushwhacking through the woods. We both want to run. We again chose a runnable path back to Puma's- about a mile of path, old road, and country dirt road. I was huffing and puffing by the end, but I wanted to be DONE. I was euphoric and emotionally drained. 10 minutes after finding Book 10 we were running into Puma's driveway to the sound of cheerful cowbells.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7PsEcWZW1A/Tbc8LaTRVhI/AAAAAAAAA98/DmvWOd6oqLA/s1600/Fox-Barkley+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7PsEcWZW1A/Tbc8LaTRVhI/AAAAAAAAA98/DmvWOd6oqLA/s400/Fox-Barkley+037.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My triumphant "I'm not lost in the fucking woods anymore" finish with Taps by my side</td></tr>
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4 Leaf had finished almost an hour before us. Puma was maybe 10 minutes behind us. Moose and Gazelle about 45 minutes behind her. The usual post-adventure post-mortem occurs- everyone enjoying the warm sun, sharing when they got lost, their struggles and triumphs. I try not to relay how crazy I was, the ultimate lows of my adventure, but I couldn't muster a lie either. I held it together...<br />
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Until... stubbed my toe and foot. I went inside I cried trying to get it all out. 4-Leaf had put a lot into organizing this adventure and I was trying not to let him know how traumatized I was by all of it. And I was ashamed that I was being childish. I cleaned up and went back outside to gather my stuff and clean up. Then my loving runner had to go and ask if I was ok. I couldn't keep the crazy girl from the middle of the woods out of my voice, so my general, "Yeah, I'm just great" came out sounding the opposite. As a loving bf would, he followed me as I tried to run away, and urged it out of me. I broke down , told him I hated it all and asked him to never ask me to do this again. He chuckled a bit (I mean, I was ridiculous), hugged me, rubbed my back, and told me it was all ok.<br />
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Then he said we were going back out to pick all the books up the next weekend. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOBAQaCmtrxmUlcyf8UvGsTTRB_DcJ4W4uwVxmkfvRABYTtVAsbYGFKnPxOnilQhu5naWNl2kiQtCCY4Dff4AIMRBV7HQ2cumCMqJl3MYLHjVw6YcKP8_3Yo9Av8upDexR19MPQ/s1600/mapdirections1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOBAQaCmtrxmUlcyf8UvGsTTRB_DcJ4W4uwVxmkfvRABYTtVAsbYGFKnPxOnilQhu5naWNl2kiQtCCY4Dff4AIMRBV7HQ2cumCMqJl3MYLHjVw6YcKP8_3Yo9Av8upDexR19MPQ/s400/mapdirections1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj2Mb7ezbXLYlTs8W4V2UdDfoNmixnzyl5XwlMPCo8aukShdUT6DMbI8W3XL5mOMrFXomUqPbsoZB__PGNBS7vmZXKhUGthSpCFcs-Nm_d_0PbRkgFh3IBaXMoLAC_w5INHZ0Eg/s1600/mapdirections2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj2Mb7ezbXLYlTs8W4V2UdDfoNmixnzyl5XwlMPCo8aukShdUT6DMbI8W3XL5mOMrFXomUqPbsoZB__PGNBS7vmZXKhUGthSpCFcs-Nm_d_0PbRkgFh3IBaXMoLAC_w5INHZ0Eg/s400/mapdirections2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My actual scanned map and directions. If you look closely you'll even find where I bit it out of frustration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-77206616941352727812011-04-19T08:41:00.001-04:002011-04-19T08:42:26.802-04:00In the MomentPart 2 will be finished soon- still overcoming a bit of PTSD... In the meantime, take a listen to a few short podcasts from one of my favorite shows, Radiolab.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2011/apr/05/in-running/">In the Running</a><br />
<i>Diane Van Deren is one of the best ultra-runners in the world, and it all started with a seizure. In this short, Diane tells the story on how her disability gave rise to an extraordinary ability.</i><br />
After listening, part of me wishes I could remove the parts of my brain that created self-doubt, pain, laziness, and followed the passage of time. But since I'd rather not shave my head and have people pick at my brain, I guess I'll have to work to shut those parts down when they're inconvenient. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2011/feb/08/radiolab-presents-loneliness-goalkeeper/">The Loneliness of the Goalkeeper</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><i>Jad and Robert present a piece from across the pond--a piece about soccer they fell in love with when they heard it at the Third Coast festival in Chicago.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">I heard this when Radiolab first podcasted it in February. Knowing so many Goalkeepers (for hockey, anyways) it was an exciting look into their perspective on the game. Now that I'm training as one, I re listened to the piece... and I'm still digesting. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">And just for giggles- Fred:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nPc5IV-Ij2U/TMbDxJXGfJI/AAAAAAAAAm4/E59j20xz3ig/s1600/1025102301a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nPc5IV-Ij2U/TMbDxJXGfJI/AAAAAAAAAm4/E59j20xz3ig/s320/1025102301a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferrets *love* hockey smell- one of the only scents less tolerable than ferret. :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HOptgEsk2xc/S7Hn7hSkY9I/AAAAAAAAASk/rPZPj7l8NT4/s1600/FredSlinky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HOptgEsk2xc/S7Hn7hSkY9I/AAAAAAAAASk/rPZPj7l8NT4/s320/FredSlinky.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belleh! Toe beans! Upsidedown Face! It's the cute tri-fecta!</td></tr>
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</span></span>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-71948793125901024562011-04-13T08:43:00.000-04:002011-04-13T08:43:00.917-04:00Blast from the Past: Strike a Pose<i>"Blast from the Past" is where I share photos from my past that hopefully explain some of my odd behaviors. Or at least illustrate how far I've come in my 30 years.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Always the performer, one can't just stand there for a picture. One must... STRIKE A POSE! I still catch myself doing this today, and most of the time it just comes out half-awkward. But when one <b>fully commits</b> to a pose, it comes out glorious! Perhaps gloriously goofy, but glorious is still there. Below, four <b>fully committed poses:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8iwTaFONoMc/TWU3xKS1y_I/AAAAAAAAAz4/nYkWvDkPiH0/s1600/2011_02_23_11_24_33.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8iwTaFONoMc/TWU3xKS1y_I/AAAAAAAAAz4/nYkWvDkPiH0/s320/2011_02_23_11_24_33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brother Mine, Moi, and Mom at the start of my "double thumbs up" phase. At least I come by my posing honestly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFwTx-2sMNQ/TXpDWDWImFI/AAAAAAAAA3s/budYdLcDKMU/s1600/2011_03_11_10_44_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFwTx-2sMNQ/TXpDWDWImFI/AAAAAAAAA3s/budYdLcDKMU/s320/2011_03_11_10_44_08.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Junior Prom. Nothing like wearing gloves and a top hat to make you COMMIT to the pose.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGG9szPFdA4/TWU3yRQsYPI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/jXxdrsCgU-c/s1600/2011_02_23_11_31_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGG9szPFdA4/TWU3yRQsYPI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/jXxdrsCgU-c/s320/2011_02_23_11_31_17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sneak attack, or self-photobomb. No one IN the photo needs to know how committed you are... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyxTJaDGlbg/TWU3zZ3hJTI/AAAAAAAAA0k/t36aoxQwS3g/s1600/2011_02_23_11_32_55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyxTJaDGlbg/TWU3zZ3hJTI/AAAAAAAAA0k/t36aoxQwS3g/s320/2011_02_23_11_32_55.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or you can commit so much that everyone agrees.... she should be committed...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>No drugs or alcohol were harmed in the making of this photo.</i></div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-52606497783607356162011-04-12T11:22:00.002-04:002011-04-12T13:12:33.574-04:00Lost in the Woods Part 1Fox Scavenger Hunt (or Mini Barkley), April 3rd, 10am<br />
<br />
Last year <a href="http://felixatvtc.blogspot.com/2010/04/barkley-report.html">My Runner completed a loop at Barkley</a>, a crazy (even by crazy ultra running standards) race in the wilds of Tennessee. To say it made an impression would be a gross understatement. He didn't come back changed, exactly, but... mentally and emotionally expanded. And inspired.<br />
<br />
This year, in honor of this experience, My Runner organized a Mini Barkley (and I mean VERY mini) in Fox Forest. He and Puma gathered about 15 books from the swap shop in Hboro for us to choose from. The three of us divvied up the "hiding" of the books and writing of our directions. Even just hiding my books I knew this was going to be a difficult adventure for me. While I'm somewhat familiar with Fox's trails, I mostly just follow. The whole point of this scavenger hunt was to go OFF trail... bushwack, use a map and a compass to take bearings, follow directions that use landmarks and little else to get you where you're going.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_xZ_hFR-dtQIl3APJxSysE7tsNpEKGb_stfXxSsgdhJL2pLZHJdGLrBx5yEhu-B1ezB1cczT2cnBuRf9nLwSP_qrFa7UkQMZpqrZBVGzr0ShU0Q5F_fOm5e6aKBfvRO2FjTFCw/s1600/Fox-Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_xZ_hFR-dtQIl3APJxSysE7tsNpEKGb_stfXxSsgdhJL2pLZHJdGLrBx5yEhu-B1ezB1cczT2cnBuRf9nLwSP_qrFa7UkQMZpqrZBVGzr0ShU0Q5F_fOm5e6aKBfvRO2FjTFCw/s400/Fox-Forest.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fox Forest trail & topographical map. The red line is our route.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://ultranewby.blogspot.com/2011/04/rock-sisterhood.html">This blogger</a> challenges female ultra runners to try their hand at conquering the ACTUAL Barkley. The way Kim writes it, I want to raise my running skirt high and give a HELL YEA! Except that I am NOT the one to stand up for this challenge. 4-Leaf and Puma know the woods like crazy. Hell, they've been living in Hboro for 10 years. I was a little intimidated by my task to hide 2 of the 10 books. Then I was a lot intimidated. After a scouting session and a hiding session, I had to be satisfied with what I had done and the directions I wrote. The three of us wrote up our directions, we read them as little as possible to proof-read, and drew up a map, then we put it all aside so we wouldn't have an unfair advantage. <br />
<br />
On a sunny and relatively mild April morning we gathered at Puma's house (the forest is LITERALLY across the street) to start our adventures. Gazelle and Moose were playing as a team, and Taps had joined us too. We drew numbers to determine the order we'd leave in, chose our "race" numbers (ie, the page numbers we'd pull from the books to confirm we'd found them- mine was 37 of course) and we were off: 4-Leaf first, then me, then Gazelle and Moose, Taps, and Puma sweeping. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HZWcuOelBfGjLUZX8gYyUnM2EJdiCMC-__V6ncKvswu-rl0hqWBj3aNu9saHYywfA3ICcISK2lTkXK_rjD3N4TaWhj_F6QdQTmbYXDw52qW2H-Z7Xp8418qA3sOqhQKFJp9MZw/s1600/Fox-Barkley+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HZWcuOelBfGjLUZX8gYyUnM2EJdiCMC-__V6ncKvswu-rl0hqWBj3aNu9saHYywfA3ICcISK2lTkXK_rjD3N4TaWhj_F6QdQTmbYXDw52qW2H-Z7Xp8418qA3sOqhQKFJp9MZw/s320/Fox-Barkley+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taps, Gazelle, me, Moose, Puma, 4-Leaf</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Since I'd hidden the first two books I was determined to close some of the 5 minute gap between My Runner and I. The woods had other ideas. (BTW- this will be a theme- Leea vs. the Woods) There was a decent amount of snow on the ground and post-holing was not just likely but inevitable. I trotted where the trail had a packed center, then my leg would sink up to my knee and I'd slow down. I was out of breath by the first book, about half a mile in and not far off the trail. I was turning off trail early so those behind me wouldn't follow my tracks in the snow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqE9hLiIxViwxqceKhIV63jmmtP6DWi3tUsD9pE2v7kTLRGCWGUWcEDZ16D9b5CVlk8zbQb_xXbJH-_BLV4omCQ8-xOcBscD9kBetVV8-Ni4tZ1mev3vqTIjcz9dL9qxAkAsbyw/s1600/books+1+%2526+2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqE9hLiIxViwxqceKhIV63jmmtP6DWi3tUsD9pE2v7kTLRGCWGUWcEDZ16D9b5CVlk8zbQb_xXbJH-_BLV4omCQ8-xOcBscD9kBetVV8-Ni4tZ1mev3vqTIjcz9dL9qxAkAsbyw/s400/books+1+%2526+2B.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Books 1 (<u>Mischeif</u>) and 2 (Titled <u>Love Comes Softly</u>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Two books in, and now into the unknown- it wasn't long before a setback turned into a meltdown. The second direction for book 3 was to take Gould Pond trail. I've followed this trail at least half a dozen times over the last year and a half. I'd found the trail head and the tree with three blazes. I couldn't find any other blazes or the rest of the trail. I'd wandered up and down the hill for 10, maybe 15 minutes- a long time when we're talking back and forth on about 150 yards of hill. I started crying and swearing- if I can't find an effing trail, how the heck am I supposed to get past the ACTUAL challenges of the course? <br />
<br />
I was out of control. I couldn't stop crying. I was panicking. I wasn't lost because I knew where I was, but I didn't know where I was going. The only reason I didn't give up and go home was the shame I felt when imagining others seeing my tear-stained face and only having two books. Somehow, finally, I stumbled upon the trail. I honestly don't remember how I did it, but I looked up and saw one white blaze after another, and wondered how I had missed it.<br />
<br />
In hindsight, RIGHT HERE is where I should have thought about eating. For those that know me, my mood and my blood sugar are closely linked. While I don't NEED to have low blood sugar to go over the edge, the edge and I meet much faster if I haven't eaten well. Unfortunately it would be another 30 minutes at least before I made this connection on the trail.<br />
<br />
The next section was following a bearing through what My Runner (affectionately, I think) calls The Gauntlet. His trail went straight through a grove of towering red pines filled with young growth pines and pucker brush all between 4' and 6' high. It was like going through those rotating brushes at the car wash, except the brushes were hard and you are soft. Needless to say, my mood did not improve, though my curses had now become varied and quite colorful. I have my theatre training and vast knowledge of Shakespeare to thank. (It's a syphilis joke!!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gXg0gDYmr94jkXIdV8f2qY7CYXv2I6l41sFDlRAXhYRPphO4FhiWHkGam1k_-1u2acMeKxL5Lg4G2mjdv5ubXj-Z9EmLpK0uzD2zgIji7_Tns7tH_y7ue5ep2Qhxjh92KWQPSQ/s1600/Fox-Barkley+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gXg0gDYmr94jkXIdV8f2qY7CYXv2I6l41sFDlRAXhYRPphO4FhiWHkGam1k_-1u2acMeKxL5Lg4G2mjdv5ubXj-Z9EmLpK0uzD2zgIji7_Tns7tH_y7ue5ep2Qhxjh92KWQPSQ/s320/Fox-Barkley+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">See those trees straight ahead? Yeah, go through those. Not around- <b>through.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After making it through the gauntlet, finding the stone wall (and there's like, literally a thousand stone walls in this forest), loosing it, finding it again, I came upon book 3 hidden in the rocks in the middle of a stream. Oh, the stream? Yeah, now I'm wet too. Now is when I think, you know what? I'm back on track, I'm making good time, why do I still hate everything? Oh, I should eat! I, quite literally, inhale a 100 calorie pack of almonds and keep going. Yes, yes, I know that wasn't really enough, but at the time that's all I had the patience for. As I said, I was far gone.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEG89p9poGu0eZ9Z6wvXjIsTa7uOcTHRtWRyx08mL3ZXmP0EsLMWSN1lB1S5_GXtGcQ5Eci4fLabciSP_3iW8-257EosM6-cPRQUgx4BlbaZKSyBuMMMKAjW6nKYAtL_8ur9m-g/s1600/book+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEG89p9poGu0eZ9Z6wvXjIsTa7uOcTHRtWRyx08mL3ZXmP0EsLMWSN1lB1S5_GXtGcQ5Eci4fLabciSP_3iW8-257EosM6-cPRQUgx4BlbaZKSyBuMMMKAjW6nKYAtL_8ur9m-g/s400/book+3.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book 3, <u>Cold as Ice</u>. Had to tape this one back together to scan it.... was a weee bit frustrated...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I made my way up the beside river, trying to find the path with the least amount of snow and therefore the least unseen hazards. The snow was still deep enough to hide rocks, fallen trees, and stumps, so when your leg went through it might go up to your thigh and scrape along a granite boulder on the way. Another stone wall and a bearing West I find book 4 in the nook of a tree with no issues. The rational part of my brain has a stronger grip now, but I'm still swearing it up whenever I post hole or run into a direction that's less than direct. My map is balled up in my hand in frustration, and as much as I tell myself that my attitude is counter-productive, I can't wholly climb out of my downward spiral.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEu9ZTNdqOQT5kkL5ggvpxqLdlKiVWuVZiDuOGFXpbFc2qaVh3XRdj-9yWUl9_iYZQD84XRZzwPoJQv95khXU-lc7KUD22FjdjhvOUJN4n3MUWp2K1VrPYoJUd3V3olWlGJYxGQ/s1600/book+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEu9ZTNdqOQT5kkL5ggvpxqLdlKiVWuVZiDuOGFXpbFc2qaVh3XRdj-9yWUl9_iYZQD84XRZzwPoJQv95khXU-lc7KUD22FjdjhvOUJN4n3MUWp2K1VrPYoJUd3V3olWlGJYxGQ/s400/book+4.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book 4, <u>The Revelation of John Vol. 2</u>. See how much the food helped? No rage tearing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I come to Geary's Cemetary and I'm back to a familiar part of the forest. Ooh, more trail, yay! There's still some snow on the trails, but it's generally a bit more packed and the going is easier. I follow Ridge Trail south per the directions. After about 300 yards I see the cursed river I'd been following upstream off-trail... checking the map I see this is NOT the right direction. True, I followed Ridge Trail south, but I'd really needed to follow Ridge Trail SSE as it ran along with Concord End Road.<br />
<br />
A few choice curse words later (I don't *really* think those things about your heritage, baby, I swear) and I was back on the trail. A fine section of runnable trail helped perk me up a bit before what I knew was coming- a steep climb straight up a hill- no trail, just a bearing and a prayer. My compass chose this moment to be the shit and not give an accurate reading- it was showing just about every way was north. Looking at the map and directions, the book was pretty much at the summit of the hill. Eff it, I just started climbing. I'd either find it or curse and cry more.<br />
<br />
The climb was a bit theraputic. The cursing was, well, cursory at best. I wasn't teetering on the edge of tears- more strolling along the banks of the possibility of crying. I found book 5 easier than I would have thought at the top of a Triforce of boulders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-SluF3GaWUTU3xy6HpXS7G9E7qhHWK4wGF5F88TPrrhyC8QklAia-VV2A-TY565cdW2L-m-u887kBbMi6HtPnuePJPewlL3CX9oLgRZ96IIGJtBycwg5X8tN0ogNeJ4LAWBM3w/s1600/book+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-SluF3GaWUTU3xy6HpXS7G9E7qhHWK4wGF5F88TPrrhyC8QklAia-VV2A-TY565cdW2L-m-u887kBbMi6HtPnuePJPewlL3CX9oLgRZ96IIGJtBycwg5X8tN0ogNeJ4LAWBM3w/s320/book+5.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Book 5, <u>Touch the Horizon</u>. Appropriate for the climb, I would say.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I took my next bearing, only now discovering that (herp derp) my compass *couldn't* give an accurate reading that close to the magnetic clip on my water pack. ::sigh:: Well, at least now the curses were directed at mysel- GASP!<br />
<br />
"Hellooo!" I heard through the woods. Good thing I'd cried all my moisture out or I would have pee'd my pants. After an hour plus alone in the woods with only the trees and squirrels to hear my tantrum, Taps was waving at me through the trees. "Is the book over here?" He was about 100 yards north of where the book was. I pointed him in the right direction then sped down the hill. I wasn't sure I was ready for civilized company, never mind the unending positivity of Taps.<br />
<br />
To Be Continued.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLKALPTgIX_jAdiplhHAGWeKJo-grkNT6oWv08h0bXaL5txHcKjosqc_0l7NY0ikLToGD0cMvB2-nBzXe_EVVpy-AK0DuCwleSuoL9MCDaPAhm-reApIR7exeC7lofcARfu4ifA/s1600/Fox-Barkley+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLKALPTgIX_jAdiplhHAGWeKJo-grkNT6oWv08h0bXaL5txHcKjosqc_0l7NY0ikLToGD0cMvB2-nBzXe_EVVpy-AK0DuCwleSuoL9MCDaPAhm-reApIR7exeC7lofcARfu4ifA/s400/Fox-Barkley+025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-91478487856171835802011-04-01T08:11:00.002-04:002011-04-01T08:11:00.246-04:00Manchester Shamrock ShuffleSunday, March 27th<br />
2 mi; 23m 37s<br />
<br />
This was the inaugural year for the Shamrock Shuffle, a 2 mile out-and-back race on Elm St. in downtown Manchester set an hour before the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Sponsored by Harpoon, the run had decent swag (hat for the first 500, pint glass for the first 750, and two free Harpoon beers for anyone that registered), and if you were a friend of Harpoon you got $5 off. A 2 mile road race doesn't have a lot of appeal, but $17 for a pint glass and two free beers plus an easy way to hang out with folks certainly increases the appeal. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfeBQ93VJUOMVnb8m_T3gOKnMnrWxoAVq9Vq4kPqmJ6q6hPGNlynTprv6OBOHhO6tV3C-umuUxjywakkCk0SDcNmU9zzr1qDKa-Lce_29NG2VErbg8HXrWvfiUhhIv4XV8XPGwg/s1600/ShamrockShuffle+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfeBQ93VJUOMVnb8m_T3gOKnMnrWxoAVq9Vq4kPqmJ6q6hPGNlynTprv6OBOHhO6tV3C-umuUxjywakkCk0SDcNmU9zzr1qDKa-Lce_29NG2VErbg8HXrWvfiUhhIv4XV8XPGwg/s320/ShamrockShuffle+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Team Robert in effect!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So much so that Team Robert had a GREAT turnout! My Runner (aka 4-Leaf) and I, Puma, Moose & Gazelle, Taps, and Kanga, running her first race. Our support crew/fan base was Kanga's hubby and little girl. It was sunny, windy, and cold as a witches tit. We huddled in a sunny spot at Veteran's park waiting for the race to begin, having gotten prime parking right in front of Murphy's Taproom- a favorite tavern and home of the NHSSC.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN2IID6EHi2FeVgviY4E8WjuHfoskfguJFQ5u59urUWP1ZfiHmpF3PrDBReyPxRYOMzxhyphenhyphen3nOHvkYRpJo1s1vheyTG4f-1Gi4JvXviGbj24DVSChSIOj72LCERVAjN214vHclBQ/s1600/ShamrockShuffle+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN2IID6EHi2FeVgviY4E8WjuHfoskfguJFQ5u59urUWP1ZfiHmpF3PrDBReyPxRYOMzxhyphenhyphen3nOHvkYRpJo1s1vheyTG4f-1Gi4JvXviGbj24DVSChSIOj72LCERVAjN214vHclBQ/s320/ShamrockShuffle+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Myself, Moose, and Gazelle sporting our team colors</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>As always, the race excitement builds as we crowd towards the starting line. There's almost 1200 people running this short little race, and the crowds along Elm St are cheering fervently (probably to stay warm). It's Kanga's first race, and I'm happy to run with her. Sharing the excitement and trials of ANY race is part of the joy of running with a team. Kanga did AMAZING- running the entire two miles finishing with me and 4-Leaf at 23:41, or an 11:51 minute mile. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RTvXgBjhOx0PqRRoFuiVt29huHUfMp5YvDOcSf4ETVNuiZ7M_wBmcKtK9Y0nGCPEDW_fdO1k2bFZyP1GHFkm9O1RYiGptHWERieEt6ufcCQD7M084W-wPqehwCEIkCLPBT16iw/s1600/ShamrockShuffle+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RTvXgBjhOx0PqRRoFuiVt29huHUfMp5YvDOcSf4ETVNuiZ7M_wBmcKtK9Y0nGCPEDW_fdO1k2bFZyP1GHFkm9O1RYiGptHWERieEt6ufcCQD7M084W-wPqehwCEIkCLPBT16iw/s320/ShamrockShuffle+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me and Kanga at 1.5 miles</div><br />
The rest of the team did great as well, with 4-Leaf and Taps bounding back and forth between the team members, sharing their infectious and boundless energy. Puma pushed ahead in the first mile of the run, with Moose catching up to her soon after. Gazelle ran with her Moose, who also had an amazing run completing the entire two miles without a walk break.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QKWprppvg9vpxoDHWl0QMEmG2MfxMEMIO9aE2SQx6sjkwjUfMl8Kz2WDbnpMcHqVAwvRiYFO2y3HeBgjJXUCWPzJ384yQPg-l5P-lMf443Y3vb8oqr7kNXfkhyoKXgvRqMTgqg/s1600/ShamrockShuffle+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QKWprppvg9vpxoDHWl0QMEmG2MfxMEMIO9aE2SQx6sjkwjUfMl8Kz2WDbnpMcHqVAwvRiYFO2y3HeBgjJXUCWPzJ384yQPg-l5P-lMf443Y3vb8oqr7kNXfkhyoKXgvRqMTgqg/s320/ShamrockShuffle+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Team at Murph's</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We retired to Murphy's to celebrate, but with only barstools open, Kanga and her family decided to take this time to visit family in the area. Six of us, hanging at the bar, with our Team Robert shirts on, sharing beers, food, and good times... A good way to end any run.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxF2kRfdi-AxfWUQLTAE9NWJnOp2T2cR_i9jZDo5CpoYOs2ExgAy4RBspxBD2BAMf5ZWqnLWSVvRBVFGbIIvq0QoChqcyWGRxiYVhrFW-Ra3dCXsi6vVfNnehOiWWN1NnBd1nFA/s1600/ShamrockShuffle+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxF2kRfdi-AxfWUQLTAE9NWJnOp2T2cR_i9jZDo5CpoYOs2ExgAy4RBspxBD2BAMf5ZWqnLWSVvRBVFGbIIvq0QoChqcyWGRxiYVhrFW-Ra3dCXsi6vVfNnehOiWWN1NnBd1nFA/s320/ShamrockShuffle+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-29665048364202730422011-03-30T10:30:00.001-04:002011-03-30T10:30:01.737-04:00Blast from the Past: Blond Ambition<i>"Blast from the Past" is where I share photos from my past that hopefully explain some of my odd behaviors. Or at least illustrate how far I've come in my 30 years.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nKmi1nqSqS0/TXqC5B7pMAI/AAAAAAAAA4s/pyqt7sP436c/s1600/2011_02_23_11_31_59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nKmi1nqSqS0/TXqC5B7pMAI/AAAAAAAAA4s/pyqt7sP436c/s320/2011_02_23_11_31_59.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Fixit's son's wedding. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I've been a brunette most of my life, but like all women I enjoy a change and I figure, what's easier to change then your hair? You can perm it, color it, cut it, and if it sucks it'll grow out. So, the summer after my freshman year in college I thought I would go SHORT and BLONDE. I had images of chic pixie-like models in my head with wicked cheek bones and a punky fairy look. As you can see, I am not quite chic, pixie like, or blessed with wicked cheek bones. This was about as feminine as I could get it to look. It did look pretty punk once I started getting roots. But overall I knew this look would not work for me when I only got hit on by girls that summer. Often very cute girls, but still.... not my team.</span></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q14DF0P4ihc/TXqB6gEq2yI/AAAAAAAAA4g/zRfGYEze6CI/s1600/2011_02_23_11_32_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q14DF0P4ihc/TXqB6gEq2yI/AAAAAAAAA4g/zRfGYEze6CI/s320/2011_02_23_11_32_16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smarty, me, and Face as bridesmaids. This is the reception. We all hated the dress. Sorry, C, we still love you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Since I rarely learn from my mistakes, I decided to go blond again. This time I was living in CT with my cousins and I *knew* it would be different! I would look glamorous! And tan, yeah, maybe that! Why? Because my hair was *long*. Derp. wrong answer. I didn't look hideous, but I did look a bit like a tragic romance novel heroin suffering from consumption. <br />
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Dear future self: NEVER FORGET THIS! YOU ARE NOT A BLOND!</div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-9969495303860417192011-03-28T16:45:00.000-04:002011-03-28T16:45:00.840-04:00Self Limitations- When They're a Good ThingFace has recently decided to limit her caffeine intake, which comes primarily through Coca Cola. She loves the damn stuff, and recently confided in me that it's been harder to limit herself to 1 coke a day than it would be to limit her drinking. I'm really proud of her, and while limiting myself to one coke, or soda of any kind, per day would be easy (I probably drink 1-2 a month on average), I balked at the thought of limiting myself to 1 drink a day.<br />
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Oh god, I BALKED at limiting my drinking to ONE. DRINK. PER. DAY. That's scary. To be fair, I balk at the idea of MOST limitations, but still... It's not like I drink every day, though if I'm going to be honest and lay the cards on the table, I do drink most days. I don't always drink to intoxication, though, again, 2-3 times a week I will get to between lightly buzzed and drunk. I've equated alcohol with rewards. I've used alcohol to get to sleep at night and to shut my brain up. <br />
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I think what I'm saying here is, I like drinking. I haven't considered it out of control because I always felt I was in control. Until I balked at the idea of limitation. Perhaps I'm not as in control as I thought? And we know how I feel about not being in control. (Bad, just in case you forgot.) <br />
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So I pledged to Face that, in fidelity with her trial with caffeine, I would limit myself to 1 drink per day. Of course I won't be perfect at this, and of course there will be days that I will have no drinks. Hell, Wednesday I'm going to a wine tasting- STRIKE ONE! But the idea is to regain control and enable discipline over my choices. <br />
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Ultimately I'm more comfortable making this about working on my self-discipline that making this about drinking. Similar to my pledges to save, train, and sew, I have declared I will Do Something, and will hopefully achieve it with some amount of success (as long as it's more than the sewing challenge we're in business). In order to increase the likelihood of my success, I've devised a 6 week timeline to the challenge. What happens in 6 weeks? Who knows- have to get there first.<br />
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Benefits will include:<br />
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<ul><li>Weight loss- 12 oz of decent beer has between 140-250 calories per 12 oz bottle. I don't drink that light crap, so if I have 3 beers we're looking at the equivalent of a large meal. Add an ACTUAL meal, or even more beers, and all of a sudden I'm consuming 150% of my daily caloric requirement. No wonder I still get chub-rub when I run....</li>
<li>Financial savings- Booze certainly hikes up the cost of a restaurant or grocery bill. If I'm consuming less, then I'm spending less, and I have more money. YAY!</li>
<li>Increased health- yay for livers working blah-dee-blah-blah. Probably won't fall down/run into things as much if I'm sober more often. Of course I often fall down/run into things when I sober as a judge, so....</li>
<li>Better decision making- probably won't choose to eat that pizza, drunk that dial, post that poorly spelled facebook message, pick that ill-advised fight, etc. And if I DO make a bad decision, at least I can't squirm out from under the thumb of responsibility by blaming on the a-a-a-a-alcohol.</li>
<li>Probably some other stuff.... hopefully some other stuff.... More booze for the rest of you?</li>
</ul><br />
Even listing all these benefits, I know this is going to be tough. I hate admitting that because I don't think I'm a drunk, but I do think I need to take a step back. I'm not advocating teetotaling, and honestly I'd never want to give it up 100%. But I do need to declare my intentions to the public and be held accountable.<br />
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HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE!!! <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">or just hold me- I'm good with that too. :-)</span>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-53008854105040850632011-03-26T19:25:00.000-04:002011-03-26T19:25:36.308-04:00Growing Up Is Hard to DoI made the difficult, if responsible, decision to NOT purchase a new car this spring.<br />
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Why? After I put you all through the mind-numbing car research posts? The wishing and hoping? The bitching about my current car? As much as I would like a new car, the security of having no consumer debt and a cushion of savings seems WAY sweeter than being able to hook my mp3 player up directly to my car's sound system and have 10 cup holders. <br />
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I looked at my credit card balance the other day and noted that with my current payment schedule I would be payed off in one or two months- right on time with the "car" schedule. This frees up $300 or more a month to throw at other debts, savings, or once-a-year expenses (June is registration and inspection month...)<br />
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So, as much as I want a new car, none of the vehicles I looked at excited me more than seeing the end of my consumer debt. I'm even excited to amp up my savings! This is such an old-fogey decision, I know, but I'm coming to peace with it. <br />
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Of course, now I have to actually SAVE and not spend this money on things like shoes, new clothes, and top-shelf gin. Maybe I'm not growing up as fast as I think.....leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-3026617236168635282011-03-17T13:36:00.005-04:002011-03-17T13:36:00.104-04:00I Am a Crafty GirlI started a sewing challenge with my girl Teen when she got a sewing machine for Christmas. I, too, have a sewing machine and use it WAY TOO rarely. We wanted to start with an easy but useful project: a pillow.<br />
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What's in a pillow? (besides stuffing) It's four seams at the same length with a 90 degree angle and some shite stuffed inside 'till it's comfy. But if you're *making* it, it's gotta look cute and not crafty. I have two pillows that are hand made and look crafty, but maaayyyybeee not so cute.... They were purchased at a free-trade market; the big one is super comfy and the little one is actually a quillo (think Poppel but a pillow/quilt combo) hand made by Amish peoples. And while they're superbly made, they're just not really my style.<br />
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I wanted something that went with my mint-green and wicker sectional, was comfy, looked modern, and was cheap. Not as easy as I thought. I used the fabric from an oversized Ikea pillow I purchased at least 6 years ago (white velvet-like fabric). It was slightly stained, and even after a bleach wash looked a little worse for wear, but it was free. I purchased a 15" pillow form from Micheal's with a 50% off coupon for about $6. I deconstructed a skirt with embroidered birds and flowers to appliqué to the pillow only to find that it all looked HORRID together. This is when the project stalled. I had a white velvet case sewn on 3 sides with some stains...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9pueEW2AbIIzhu5-pT6Gxf17sRiOsY2qhtv854sOgZ1q2wy60LMvoqwfofmywNKl6pGOXVcYVbPm0EXyhc0rNZ-4UCQhVcjTBhnktSSMwkl8RLYr0g__lNgXPg6wu09gVk3xeA/s1600/Teen+Pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9pueEW2AbIIzhu5-pT6Gxf17sRiOsY2qhtv854sOgZ1q2wy60LMvoqwfofmywNKl6pGOXVcYVbPm0EXyhc0rNZ-4UCQhVcjTBhnktSSMwkl8RLYr0g__lNgXPg6wu09gVk3xeA/s320/Teen+Pillows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Teen had finished her project after finding some great printed fabrics (Ikea, I think). Her two pillows looked lovely and I was totally jealous. Then stuff happened (like the Luau) and I had to put my sewing machine out of sight, therefor putting it out of mind. I had found a craft website who had dedicated February as <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?cat=56">Pillow Month</a>. The inspiration was nice, but it's a lot of quilting which is a bit above my project commitment level. I still had my heart set on appliqué, though. I wanted a peacock, or at least a bird, with colors that coordinated but maybe not matched, and perhaps some texture. <br />
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Eventually I settled on the cheapest of all fabrics: felt. At 29cents for an 8 1/2"x11" sheet, felt in all colors is cheap and readily available. I also purchased some iron-on fabric adhesive to make my life even easier. I researched modern shaped birds that are, admittedly, ubiquitous. I designed a little birdie based on a few things I saw, put in about an hour or two of work, and my three-seamed square turned in to a pillow before my eyes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVV9aanTdbTjHZcblsMZYJt4jH7oucbw-os66E_IqY4RFQRRy1hivRIlU2DcVj5_9wA0Fc_taLy14eTqfBD3tPJWd63iryDpVAJMhe0GN11u7mkmwtvZ5dN4kmw0syWd6iYMFwrw/s1600/applique+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVV9aanTdbTjHZcblsMZYJt4jH7oucbw-os66E_IqY4RFQRRy1hivRIlU2DcVj5_9wA0Fc_taLy14eTqfBD3tPJWd63iryDpVAJMhe0GN11u7mkmwtvZ5dN4kmw0syWd6iYMFwrw/s320/applique+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I made it to go with my mint-green couch, but with the paisley-textured felt of the body, it REALLY works with the blue mini-chairs I acquired when Pocket moved to RI.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9yHHtkN9iwOfENC6LILVd4P3r7FbbMD_-iyqOC2r4eLxi-aZwk1frSZnMz_aID_LSc8lTWw_OyCmhm_tFngaPAubnjHcxS9kuw5XuWUAV-UviiMaUiRnQVC-jz8qgOUCIBWm-Q/s1600/Pillow+on+Blue+Chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9yHHtkN9iwOfENC6LILVd4P3r7FbbMD_-iyqOC2r4eLxi-aZwk1frSZnMz_aID_LSc8lTWw_OyCmhm_tFngaPAubnjHcxS9kuw5XuWUAV-UviiMaUiRnQVC-jz8qgOUCIBWm-Q/s320/Pillow+on+Blue+Chair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It feels great to finish this project, and I'm looking forward to the next. I really don't mind if it takes me a month or two to finish it as long as it turns out as nice. :-)leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-78699009049263335432011-03-16T10:30:00.011-04:002011-03-16T10:30:03.241-04:00Blast from the Past: Drinking Problem?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"Blast from the Past" is where I share photos from my past that hopefully explain some of my odd behaviors. Or at least illustrate how far I've come in my 30 years.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7wU4QN7wLgc/TXpDXd02UII/AAAAAAAAA4E/Nq3su6TAXzw/s1600/2011_03_11_10_45_31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7wU4QN7wLgc/TXpDXd02UII/AAAAAAAAA4E/Nq3su6TAXzw/s400/2011_03_11_10_45_31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Damn my hair is long... </div><br />
This is me around 10 years old on the co-ed rec soccer team in NJ where I grew up. See the boy in the picture? He's drinking out of a sports water bottle. What am I drinking out of? A Rubber-maid cocktail shaker with a beer coozy. Thanks, parents. No, that's not an Aubin Margarita in there, though the nasty "Citrus Gatorade" flavor (which they've since taken off the market) is about the same color. <br />
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All parental fails aside, this was actually a really great vessel for sports. The top came off so I could put plenty of ice cubes in, the spout was wide enough to get big gulps without dribbling all over the place, and it had a cover that was easy to open and close. It probably helped that I didn't recognize this as an cocktail shaker until about 7 years later.leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-30377468640695501152011-03-10T18:36:00.000-05:002011-03-10T18:36:00.970-05:00Peak Snowshoe Race<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This was my first <a href="http://www.peakraces.com/snowshoe/">Peak race</a> and my first snowshoe race, but having visited Pittsfield numerous times, drank to silliness with the RD at Sherpa’s wedding, and hanging with Team Robert, I felt like an old pro. I knew, or at least knew OF, almost a dozen other folks at the starting line.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The night before we had convinced (see: roped, connived, contrived, manipulated) Sherpa into staying the night in our cozy dwellings generously offered by the Strongs while they were in Mexico and doing at least one more loop with us. I was the only one signed up for the 6.5 mile "fun run" while My Runner, Taps, and Puma were all signed up for the marathon. My Runner's Pops and Bro showed in time for registration and signed up for the half-marathon. We had a great Team Robert showing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The next morning came early for me. I'm slow to get ready. I have my pace, and I can't seem to step it up. So rather than keep people waiting I set my alarm 15 min earlier than everyone else. This seems to have worked as I had all my gear prepped, including shit I had forgotten the night before, I was dressed, washed, packed, "bathroomed," and heat-warmered by the time we had planned to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We packed in to two cars and started the 5 minute commute to downtown <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsfield</st1:place></st1:city> to pick up our registration. We met Pop and Bro Robert while at the general store picking up our numbers. I was happy to see them as we thought they might not show till well after the start (Pops is a volunteer firefighter and his hours are wonky). Sherpa, already registered for his 100 mile race that started the day before at noon, chatted up the other runners eating breakfast. He's a Peak veteran, and a major proponent of their work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We head to the start with So. Much. Time. to kill. I'm going crazy. I kina hafta pee, but I'm not willing to leave the start line with less than 10 minutes to go. This will come back to haunt me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sherpa tells me he's gonna drag me up the mountain. After hearing the trail is 4 miles up 2 miles down, I believe him. I remember climbing this mountain at the Holidays are Over Party weekend- it's effing STEEP. And other than kickboxing and hockey my training has been... wait, what's training again? We vaguely hear Andy the RD tell us to line up, and I move to the back. There are a TON of college aged kids in costumes. I'm way too envious of the chick in silver leggings, a pink tank tunic, and an even pinker fishnet overshirt. It looks like something my Gem doll wore. She's ten years younger than me. I picture how I’d look in that getup and I feel old. (Later I pass her skinny slow ass while she's gasping and I feel inordinately superior. Funny how that works.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The course isn't easy. I recognize the first few miles, but I'm moving slow. The whole of team Robert is ahead of me: My runner, Pops, Bro, and Taps are moving in a group with a few ultra vets. Puma and I leap frog up a few hills, but Sherpa is way back, hanging with folks he hasn't talked to and nursing wounds and pains from the marathon he ran night before. I pause on "The Stairs" (a switch back trail that snakes up the side of the mountain) for a while waiting for Sherpa. I finally saw him, but was getting chilled and was unwilling to wait. Figured he was so much stronger than me that he would overtake me on the many climbs ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The climbs were *tough*; I felt weak. Still, I was having fun watching all the college aged kids around me in their groups having fun and encouraging each other. What a great moment. I came to a portion of the trail with some lookouts over other peaks and valleys of the area. It was LOVELY and I wish I had a camera though it would not pick up the beauty. I decided to real in Puma to pick up the pace. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And catch her I do. Not without some effort, mind you. I could see her on the switch backs and called out to her. I could even see the Robert boys, though I knew that catching up to them would be a) unlikely, b)super draining, and c) useless as they were having guy-time and I would be an interloper. I enjoyed my friendly hunt of Puma, who kept me moving hard even when I caught up to her. We summit together, having seen Taps and My Runner coming down off the peak on the trail. Pops and Bro are still there, and Puma takes off with them. I wait for Sherpa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hanging out at the summit with the other runners and aid station volunteers, I am *desperately* searching for a place to pee. The woods around the trails are pretty sparse, and I’m way to pee-shy to walk a foot off trail and drop trou. The summit’s a clearing (lucky me) and of course no one was gonna drag a porta john up with a snowmobile. There’s a small hut/cabin, and I take my chances, crouch behind it, and do whatcha do. Ah the fun of outdoor sports.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sherpa finally summits and in full Sherpa form. He's the man everyone wants to talk to. I get tired of waiting for him to quit socializing... and now I’m dragging HIM down the trail. We WALK down hill... and walk, and walk... selfishly? I start running, throwing a challenge to the Sherpa. The run feels good for me, but I know Sherpa’s hurting. We walk and talk the rest of the way, others occasionally joining our conversation. We had come to the mountain last night urging Sherpa to "come out with us for one more loop" and this was the only time any of us traveled with him. Sherpa, and so many others, have given their time to me, running my race with me, for the pure pleasure of running with someone whose company you enjoy. It was nice to finally return the favor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We get back to base in I don’t know how much time. I mostly don’t care. This was about the experience, not the time. My Runner and Taps are back out on the course, Pops and Bro head out for their second of two laps. Puma attempted another, but her shoes have torn up her feet and it's not possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sherpa takes off before the Robert team comes back. He just misses My Runner and Taps coming off their second lap. They're in good spirits and feeling great and I'm happy for them as they set out on lap 3. It's a bit more before Bro comes loping off the trail. At 15 he's got that gangly-horse look where he's all limbs and big feet and hands, but a baby face. He comes in relatively easily- a testament to the Robert genes and his swim training, grabs some food and sits on a snow bank. When I asked where Pops was, he stated, "I dunno... I left him. Maybe half an hour?" Pops came in, as usual entertaining a group of runners with only slightly exaggerated stories, about 45 minutes later. He seemed in good spirits, and that's all we are here for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pops, having worked the night before, decided to head out while he was still awake enough to drive. The boys are maybe 2/3 up the mountain when it starts to rain. We predict this may be the last lap, if the rain stays steady, but the weather refuses to be predictable: sleet, sun, clouds, wind, and more rain occur in the next hour and a half.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I look over the times while waiting for My Runner and Taps to come in. I see that I’m 4<sup>th</sup> out of 4 in my age group, and note that the 1<sup>st</sup> place in the age group was only 20 minutes ahead of me. I note with some satisfaction that if I had run this like a RACE, I would have won my age group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The boys come in after third lap and eventually call it. Happy with their experience, we all head home for showers then a trip to Long Trail where we celebrate our achievements. Could I have run longer and suffered more? Yes. Did I want to? No. And I’m happy with my choice.</span></span></div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-67575643170944694342011-03-04T08:49:00.000-05:002011-03-04T08:49:54.060-05:00Kickin' A$$, Takin' NamesLast night I pulled a Rocky- I pulled out my old cottons, my gloves, and ten bucks and hit Tokyo Joe's dojo for some good old ass kicking. <div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.achievement.org/achievers/swa0/large/swa0-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.achievement.org/achievers/swa0/large/swa0-011.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I *hope* someday to have a high kick like HilSwank. Maybe sans the scrunchy socks...</div><div><br />
</div><div>Years ago Face and I went religiously to this cardo kickboxing class twice a week. We went back a few times with Smarty and/or Poet before Face's wedding a year and a half ago. Poet's been back in town from NYC for almost a year now, and trying to stay active in a very car-oriented society. She's regularly invites me to Hot Yoga class, which is right behind the building I work in. She's looking to do her 30 mile round trip commute on a bike in the spring. And she's encouraging Face and I to go to kickboxing. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm so happy she did. I noted the leather on my gloves was stiffer than I remember- a side-effect of neglecting them. It took a bit of wear to loosen them up, and it took a bit of class to loosen me up as well. We worked on heavy bags with combinations. At first I took it slow, trying to get the form back into my body, place my feet correctly, but by the end of class I was wailing on that bag. ::Jab, cross, hook, (feet shuffle) kick:: Drop and do pushups for 60 seconds. ::cross, hook, uppercut, elbow, roundhouse:: Drop and 50 side-crunches each side.</div><div><br />
</div><div>By the end of the 50 minutes we were sweaty and feeling great. While my body felt like it was slipping into a pair of old jeans, Poet is still just learning the moves and form. She did a great job, worked hard, and seemed to feel amazing. I'm glad to see the supportive attitude that kept Face and I returning class after class remains at the dojo. The teacher came around to each group to ensure we were using proper form AND trying our hardest. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Right now I plan to go to kickboxing every Thursday. It's fantastic cross-training for my hip and ankle, and pretty much the only upper-body workout that I do. Bonus: kicking and punching feels GOOOOOOD.</div></div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-77148656948716622242011-02-23T08:05:00.001-05:002011-02-23T10:17:09.118-05:00All the World is a StageSo I received an email from a theatre company, Ghostlight, that I have some ties to. It was a sorta mass e-mail encouraging me to be a member again and subscribe to their season. Feeling generous and bored at work I reviewed what they had on tap. I was intrigued especially by one play. I looked a bit farther into it and found that I was a bit captivated by a certain role... a female role... a female in her mid-to-late-20's role... good golly with some moisturizer I could play that role....<br />
<br />
I read a bit of the script, though honestly not all. I reached out to Shorty for advice and feedback. Then I shoved the idea to not just the back burner, but the nosebleed seats burner. It stewed on low like a crockpot on the counter. I'm still not sure what the final result will be, but I'll be damned if I can't stop from stirring the pot, taking a big whiff and seeing if I like what's cooking.<br />
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The current auditions are at a time I can't make. Bummer- and said as much. Well, what do I get for opening my mouth but another possible opportunity: a second audition date, even farther away with a schedule to be determined. Since I like to book myself eons ahead, this could be an issue. However, the rehearsal schedule would ALSO demand I take time from my current schedule and possibly sacrifice some plans I had already made. Am I ready for that?<br />
<br />
Audition calls for a prepared monologue. Cool- I've done that. In college, and a bit after... so that means all the characters in those monologues are in their early 20's and the plays they come from are all slightly dated, like Kim Kardashian's sex tape or Double Rainbow Guy's youtube video.. It's not that it's not entertaining, but.... well, we've heard it before.<br />
<br />
So now I'm in a position... do I want to do all this work for possibly very little payoff? What if it does pay off and I get the role and I can't do some of the runs or hikes I had planned? Do I even still have that spark that a few special people saw in me once? I feel the passion and the drive... Will that be enough for me? If I prepare and don't get this, will that be ok? If I prepare and I do get this, will that be ok?<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I will search for a new monologue. And we'll go from there.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBR6Qqz39-KQy0Qt2i_YzC_JpUczuo1xBWW01yglZvf1rFgT43zuzMKIh1L3NVI2JH7-fNmtOUaC5wxsQG7BQ72qlEmIZD-U_7E68mTrc4uBA2FT-s1PHuvBW_HMWf80uKQ_XN-g/s1600/ballet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBR6Qqz39-KQy0Qt2i_YzC_JpUczuo1xBWW01yglZvf1rFgT43zuzMKIh1L3NVI2JH7-fNmtOUaC5wxsQG7BQ72qlEmIZD-U_7E68mTrc4uBA2FT-s1PHuvBW_HMWf80uKQ_XN-g/s320/ballet.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ballet in first grade- this is where I learned I am NOT graceful.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV_9ZGXVvYifDmiq5OHsrqbhBbccp8moZn2_4ZixLQF461UHzr8-rZw-FcdbUWsYZY1GtbrbUkQlh6ThBK9BFPdhhpNQ7tU_pfLBPjVNZxI8LS1G9xiTTfAAnlQnbHy0BDVKagw/s1600/Baccae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV_9ZGXVvYifDmiq5OHsrqbhBbccp8moZn2_4ZixLQF461UHzr8-rZw-FcdbUWsYZY1GtbrbUkQlh6ThBK9BFPdhhpNQ7tU_pfLBPjVNZxI8LS1G9xiTTfAAnlQnbHy0BDVKagw/s320/Baccae.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">College- where I had to dance again, but at least it was "modern" and "Greek"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeS7TIaibnRj1tp8v7NsKbp-rbsTiXWF_3ojCmcW0ub4XdKtcdcFbCBWHMkoUOEKJpEkUtNQsv3uqOO5qZDTzDYlD7-O88hONbmBdA0Ar1nmZFh_DkW-SnXMv9CPO6FlHgyDybQ/s1600/catpoop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeS7TIaibnRj1tp8v7NsKbp-rbsTiXWF_3ojCmcW0ub4XdKtcdcFbCBWHMkoUOEKJpEkUtNQsv3uqOO5qZDTzDYlD7-O88hONbmBdA0Ar1nmZFh_DkW-SnXMv9CPO6FlHgyDybQ/s320/catpoop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pocket found my true talent: awkward. Yes, I'm pooping on a laptop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-49144279909174908532011-02-16T21:36:00.002-05:002011-02-16T21:36:00.151-05:00There is no "I" in "TEAM"... of course there's an "EA" in both Team and Leah, so that's something....<br />
<br />
<br />
Monday I had a FANTABULOUS mail day. I received, along with the general junk mail, a package from my dad with some CD's and a book, my current issue of Cooks Illustrated (think Consumer Reports meets Joy of Cooking), a part of a preset for someone, a super Valentine from Shorty (send you a pic of the tat when I use it :-) ), and a large package from Running Banana delivered at work. <br />
<br />
TEAM ROBERT SHIRTS!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BlsO3rKTgFwchvR-Zlr_VPuKZOUylfeB3_P_7jMD9AG-A6FQde6bfXfBHd0Nt1alnKh_2t8fE7eYLBY89djhyphenhyphenrGerTPr6aLpBRNJFmGlcDKNSgqJTOaxX5D5a-96KlAhknJxhQ/s1600/TeamRobert-Shirts+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BlsO3rKTgFwchvR-Zlr_VPuKZOUylfeB3_P_7jMD9AG-A6FQde6bfXfBHd0Nt1alnKh_2t8fE7eYLBY89djhyphenhyphenrGerTPr6aLpBRNJFmGlcDKNSgqJTOaxX5D5a-96KlAhknJxhQ/s400/TeamRobert-Shirts+020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This year My Runner and I went back and forth about "expanding" Team Robert. TR was formed long before I was in the picture and included My Runner's Pops, who was his inspiration for Ultra Running, his half-siblings, and Puma. I was happy when the team expanded to include me, and even happier when it expanded to include people we run/hike/snowshoe/spend time with. A night with My Runner, Puma, and I resulted in the following message going out to those we thought might be interested:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Team</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Robert</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">started as a family</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">team</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. In Josh's (and so many of our) words, "Friends are the family that you choose." When you spend hours on the trail with someone, they know you on a deep level. When you train with people weekend after weekend, they see the good and bad. We've been through a lot together, on and off the trail, and we're all family: a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">team</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. We're planning on many outdoor events together, and it would be great to have support of a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">team</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">even when we're not close to each other.</span></span></blockquote>I'd been a part of Team Robert. I'd supported and taken part in Team Sherpa. I'd been on the Patriot Team with my Dad and his buddy in the VT50. We'd even started Hillsboro Trail Runners to have a group of like-minded folks be outside with us. We had lofty ideas of posting events in the paper and in town... but the reality is that it's important to me to recognize the people with whom I spend mile after mile, hour after hour, trudging, trotting, jogging, running, hiking, snow shoeing, drinking, eating with. The people that inspire me to get out there, and that I hope I can inspire back. The people that hear me bitching but love me anyways, even if it is with an eye roll. The people who understand that outside, with all it's "discomforts," is the place to be.<br />
<br />
So, Team Robert initiated it's 2nd Generation t-shirts. That's not to say if there's no shirt one isn't on the team, oh no... the Team is truely MORE than the sum of it's parts. But this is the first step, I think, into what is important to us all. "Friends are the family that you choose." I love my family and have been blessed to be related to people that I would choose to hang out with. I've ALSO been blessed with the understanding that friends ARE family, and we've always treated them as such. My own mother often asks when we can get together with Smarty and Face, some of my closest friends and only two of many that my mother considers family. Team Robert is a continuation of that sentiment, and one I'm more than happy to perpetuate.<br />
<br />
One of the fun things we could incorporate with the Gen II shirts is personalized logos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsId8S3T9dqA-z1XBBurh5gnteSmxb4gpEdiyjrNxFsfirepexeXm3ESu579YJJnDXqp_5MzcXVsJtJ-NVLwDVhSHikzlK3VD8Us-tnN-1ghHrHPkCMSuMz1JxvsklQbXFWm-WwA/s1600/2011_Shirt-Front-Logo-LeahFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsId8S3T9dqA-z1XBBurh5gnteSmxb4gpEdiyjrNxFsfirepexeXm3ESu579YJJnDXqp_5MzcXVsJtJ-NVLwDVhSHikzlK3VD8Us-tnN-1ghHrHPkCMSuMz1JxvsklQbXFWm-WwA/s320/2011_Shirt-Front-Logo-LeahFinal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Believe it or not, it was not I who thought of the Ferret for my logo. But as My Runner writes, it fits:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Common characteristics of the ferret are; curious, persistent, and fearless. All makes perfect sense to me. Leah's fearless hockey playing is what attracted me to her in the first place. Her curiosity is what got her into running with me, and if you read</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">her blog</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">she's very persistent in her research amongst other things. A once non-runner "unless being chased" is really coming into her own finishing a half marathon on the roads and in the woods in 2010.</span></blockquote>So, that's me, on the Team. I'm already excited with what other folks are doing with this idea: Taps is looking into utilizing the team to fundraise for Autism, a cause close to his girlfriend Wick's heart. I'm hoping to get the team to run at this year's ARL 5K (organized by Face this year!!!). I'm looking forward to showing up to events as a group and having folks ask us about our shirts- maybe even inspire others to form their own teams. I like that we make plans to be outdoors together, encourage each other to train, and support each other when we need it.leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-6718877931282584712011-02-11T13:20:00.004-05:002011-02-11T13:26:12.889-05:00Compare and ContrastI built a little spread sheet (because who doesn't like spread sheets?) comparing the car models I was interested in. It helps me consider what the advantages and disadvantages are.<br />
<br />
The biggest problem I have is that the prices aren't really going to be the prices. I mean, how often do you hear about floor mats being "thrown in" or negotiating a discount on the model that's on the floor or whatever. Still, it's what I got from building the cars on their individual websites as closely as I could match them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUIEBNP6IOj1Zh9tOqgqPUYvfxYQqfyWfeR2J6TDXsAvlz4mx2cjwhPLJC8RhLLL1lFy-ER_xesdzphi1TZFLGtFt_IqvkLjvcgXbjDW95K6TmNWy8wjoUL4vU1f-FIBt7PBvqA/s1600/car+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUIEBNP6IOj1Zh9tOqgqPUYvfxYQqfyWfeR2J6TDXsAvlz4mx2cjwhPLJC8RhLLL1lFy-ER_xesdzphi1TZFLGtFt_IqvkLjvcgXbjDW95K6TmNWy8wjoUL4vU1f-FIBt7PBvqA/s400/car+table.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Sorted by cheapest to most expensive. I created the cars trying to get the three "options" that I'd really like to have, though as you can see I couldn't build the Fiesta or the Yaris with cruise control for some reason... Still, since they're already topping the price list range and not offering very much in the way of cargo room (or any room in the Yaris' case). It looks like I get the most from the Fit with the least amount of money as "options" that are important to me come standard. The Nissan Versa is coming in a close second in the numbers game, though almost EVERYTHING is an add on, so we'll see what the real-world add-up is. The Kia Soul + is in the top running as well; definitely the most distinctive vehicle of the group.<br />
<br />
It's time to start setting up test drives. Per Consumer Reports, I should have a checklist for inside and out (there <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/car-buying-advice/guide-to-new-car-buying/at-the-dealership/does-the-car-fit-you/index.htm">example</a> is WAY more thorough than I will ever be, but is a good reference), as well as a planned test driving route. The route is planned to be about 45 minutes and includes all the types of driving I do: highway, city (residential and business), and dirt road. They also recommended I call the dealership to make sure they at least have the model in the engine size and transmission I'm interested in so I can test the car I actually want, not the one they want to sell me.<br />
<br />
I've got a lot going on, but I hope to set up at least the Honda, Nissan, and Kia test drives all on the same day and knock them out. I'm sure I'll be taking notes and sharing my thoughts.leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-57586934584091753752011-02-09T08:52:00.000-05:002011-02-09T08:52:12.245-05:00... And the Rest!Rather weary with car research. I think because I really need to start sitting in some of these cars to see if they're even worth learning more about. Below are the basics on the Mazda 2, Ford Fiesta, and the Nissan Versa, all still in the running. After this I'll analyze some data in spreadsheet form ('cause I'm a dork) and start setting up test driving sessions.<br />
<br />
Mazda 2:<br />
Sport (basic) $14,180<br />
Touring (Cruise Control, Trip Computer) $15,635<br />
EPA Mileage: 29/35<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKnfTtTsMOXNFoDv5kgUkraOVS78_L13bAK8MuFKyJlv_1F3PunoTk96hX9VX-yTX2x9X5KymBPlsXZte0oiDLS4OJX5ftAqtUXqJJbkRM4XAdpsM9XCbfAdr3wkmBvfZUW5_gA/s1600/mazda2orderguide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKnfTtTsMOXNFoDv5kgUkraOVS78_L13bAK8MuFKyJlv_1F3PunoTk96hX9VX-yTX2x9X5KymBPlsXZte0oiDLS4OJX5ftAqtUXqJJbkRM4XAdpsM9XCbfAdr3wkmBvfZUW5_gA/s320/mazda2orderguide.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Need the Touring to have the Cruise Control. Both versions have the electronic stability control. I had originally looked at the Mazda 3, but like the Matrix the 3 is in the $20K range. It's pretty small, but great gas mileage. Consumer Reports (and Edmunds, and autoblog.com) states it's great to drive, and the interior is surprisingly roomy for a small car. The back seats don't lie flat, though, and cargo space is pretty limited... I just don't think this is going to end up being big enough.<br />
<br />
Moving on...<br />
<br />
Ford Fiesta:<br />
SE (basic) $15,120<br />
SES (sport) $17,120 (too much for this little car)<br />
EPA Mileage: 28/37, Manual, or 29/40, Automatic w/Super Fuel Eco Pkg<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_MmKOfRzw-MN6d2hwRgZhw79Ui35xKZLptkRZrLPGtNgW6zR0Mm2BLCoGj27GwAbzBsjFKcuJOQ35KXZGuJ1PaEmhqL312SbqXbXx2XQ1lcMcia1PShUkcf2uWmsQZRSdgcMzA/s1600/2011-Ford-Fiesta-Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_MmKOfRzw-MN6d2hwRgZhw79Ui35xKZLptkRZrLPGtNgW6zR0Mm2BLCoGj27GwAbzBsjFKcuJOQ35KXZGuJ1PaEmhqL312SbqXbXx2XQ1lcMcia1PShUkcf2uWmsQZRSdgcMzA/s320/2011-Ford-Fiesta-Exterior.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
LOTS of packages and add-ons. After building the car I want, (heated seats & side mirrors; bumper guard & molded mud flaps; molded all-weather floor mats) we're looking at $16,365 for manual or $17,830 for the automatic with fuel economy.<br />
<br />
Let's look at the "savings" of fuel economy. The "combined" EPA mileage is 32mpg on the manual or 33mpg on the auto SFE. Let's assume a 10 gallon tank for easy math (the tank capacity isn't listed on the specs), I'd get about 320 miles per tank on the AT and 330 miles per tank on the SFE. If gas is $3/gallon, how many miles do I have to driver to make the SFE model, at $1,465 more, worth it? <br />
<br />
So, divide $30 by.... no... wait.... $3 times 330 miles... no... erm... x = y? Can I use a life line?<br />
<br />
Smartie whipped up the math for me on her phone. Her explanation below:<br />
<blockquote>Assuming that there is really only 1mpg difference, the better deal by far is the cheaper one. The trick is to find the break even point.<br />
First, you find the cost equation for each car, which is the initial cost added to the cost per mile times miles driven. To find cost per mile, you divide the price of gas by the miles per gallon (assuming $3/gal). The equations look like this:<br />
A: C = 16365 + .09375x<br />
B: C = 17830 + .09091x<br />
To find the break even point, you set them equal to each other and solve for x. So...<br />
16365 + .09375x = 17830 + .09091x<br />
.00284x = 1465<br />
X = 515,845 miles<br />
So, if the only difference you're interested in is the cost, then you'd have to drive over half a million miles to make up the cost.<br />
Hope that helps. :)</blockquote>Aaaand this is why she's Smartie. Half a million miles? C'mon, people, it's a Ford....<br />
<br />
Fuel economics aside, the back seat is quite small and visibility out the back stinks. Reviews noted that there's a big trade-off in engine performance for the fuel economy. Front seats and "cockpit" are comfortable even for a long ride, and road noise is pretty good for it's size. All the reviews I read were of the suped-up SES hatchback, so I have no idea what else I'd "loose" by going with the more economic option.<br />
<br />
Last but not least....<br />
<br />
The Nissan Versa<br />
18S Hatchback: $13,910<br />
EPA Rating: 26/31 mpg<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5G8fb9_Rq3sOnvVvQVaE8i2ooWng2Ue1x1IeiPnHAZ7qz7U7heqDywSu77Wdxw6atmK474kn-UD1pvQBAxsIDX1SSizRO_t-1XEXNGhNhQslNw29VLD0AvLvwBSwVtD_df9wgA/s1600/2011-Nissan-Versa-Front-Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5G8fb9_Rq3sOnvVvQVaE8i2ooWng2Ue1x1IeiPnHAZ7qz7U7heqDywSu77Wdxw6atmK474kn-UD1pvQBAxsIDX1SSizRO_t-1XEXNGhNhQslNw29VLD0AvLvwBSwVtD_df9wgA/s320/2011-Nissan-Versa-Front-Blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The more expensive SL option does not come with a manual transmission, but the automatic Continuously Variable Transmission does have an EPA rating of 28/34. The Plus Package includes keyless entry and cruise control. There are a few things that are strangely not even options on the base model, like overhead sunglasses storage or a vanity mirror on the driver's visor, armrest in the front AND back... Really? These seem like basic comfort options and relatively inexpensive- why leave them out? Or give me the option to have them installed. I also have to upgrade to get Electronic Stability Control on the VDC package. With the two packages and the minor extras I applied to all the other cars, the total comes to $15,381. Reviews come up with few negatives, and actually state the interior is well constructed for this level of car. Sounds like a contender.</div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-87213381933954772672011-02-03T22:03:00.000-05:002011-02-03T22:03:34.555-05:00Bear Brook Fat Ass, January 29th, 2011About Christmas time Dad let me know that he and his girlfriend L were going to be vacationing in the White Mountains the last week in January, and could they stop by and stay over on their way home? This invited the idea of planning a "Fat Ass" event: a run (generally) with no aid stations, a group of crazy folks, and beer at the end. I had initially planned on a 29K- about 18 miles total- in <a href="http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/bear-brook-state-park.aspx">Bear Brook State Par</a>k. I've never run this distance, plus it's the middle of winter and training time is sparse... this was gonna be a challenge to complete, never mind plan.<br />
<br />
With all the snow we've had there was no way we were running without at least some serious traction. I ended up suggesting snow shoes or cross country skis to anyone partaking. I downloaded a map of Bear Brook's trails, read the descriptions of each one, coded them for difficulty, and mapped out a route with two "peaks" and plenty of rolling terrain. Since snowshoeing is more taxing than "mere" running, I downgraded the distance. The large loop measured a bit more than 9 miles according to the map scale, with three bail-out points between 5 and 6 miles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfRa4_C0NHRSwmmflvd12e2na946BrUfY4Qfy44mcCL7IKfUmVmJ6XMV8rGoBfBnK3aBZ_6y3Q2FLgGssAINj6ZEpWtiheN_uaP5FggSJysNZ5Y-WonVTmCWQiVDUp3EZM5bmhQ/s1600/164393_10150368874000462_714100461_16634225_997221_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfRa4_C0NHRSwmmflvd12e2na946BrUfY4Qfy44mcCL7IKfUmVmJ6XMV8rGoBfBnK3aBZ_6y3Q2FLgGssAINj6ZEpWtiheN_uaP5FggSJysNZ5Y-WonVTmCWQiVDUp3EZM5bmhQ/s320/164393_10150368874000462_714100461_16634225_997221_n.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Planned route at Bear Brook State Park</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Know me and you know that I take my "planner" responsibilities pretty seriously. I was worried no one would show up. Then I was worried a lot of people would show up and they'd hate it. I worried that I forgot something crucial. The morning of the event came and I knew at least 7 people were coming out to play in the woods and at least 5 were coming back to eat at my place after. My head swam with logistics about feeding people, ensuring my house guests were comfortable, packing proper food and hydration.<br />
<br />
My Runner and Sherpa had met at 6:15am that morning to start on the trails and gain some extra mileage in anticipation of the <a href="http://www.peakraces.com/snowshoe/">Peak Snow Shoe Race</a> in March. Their pre-surveillance of the trails, as well as Sherpa's familiarity with BBSP, turned out to be very helpful.<br />
<br />
So, I forgot the map. Obviously. Though it turns out I didn't even have the correct one- I had the Summer Trail Map that didn't show which trails were groomed for snowmobiles and what trails we'd have to break. Luckily Sherpa came prepared (at least the tens of thousands of tuition dollars paid for SOMETHING... saving my ass!) with 6 copies of the winter trail maps. <br />
<br />
Next surprise- Dad and L had one pair of snow shoes between them. Snow shoes that were likely made by Inuits at least 10 years before I was born. Seriously, these things shoulda been in a museum. After learning how groomed the trails were, I suggested they both wear their x-country skis. L was still gaining confidence in her skis, and Sherpa re-assured her that she could handle the terrain. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2qJAcHDem0Pb-NipStXY0QkUamdwb9kQLAMC2t5vXYTSU3-tTKC-7jRYMqoRnb0y8laji-rPKqtGtYqGhqU0jWmK7ZIzPUsey-NpmFKyxA6T6bt7m0wYDMhLJw-5ifB4mtef1w/s1600/BearBrookFatASs+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2qJAcHDem0Pb-NipStXY0QkUamdwb9kQLAMC2t5vXYTSU3-tTKC-7jRYMqoRnb0y8laji-rPKqtGtYqGhqU0jWmK7ZIzPUsey-NpmFKyxA6T6bt7m0wYDMhLJw-5ifB4mtef1w/s320/BearBrookFatASs+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The group heading out from the parking area</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ten people and a doggie set out from the parking lot (which was NOT the lot I had planned on starting from- the gates to THAT lot were closed despite what I had been told by park staff). The weather was warm: about 25* at 10am. Spirits were high, and we were all chatting and having a grand time. I felt great, despite being tired and having forgotten the map.<br />
<br />
The first turn came to go up Bear Hill and the trail was steep and ungroomed. A decision was made that the cross-country skiers, Dad and L, the two "novice" snow shoers G and J, and the doggie would go off on their own. The rest of us would "catch up" (yeah right). We didn't see Dad and L again until the parking lot. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASzVDj_MrkGen46vUPMFnh8Fqo_cV2GvxyzQ-wC2zycuoaSXIztMoAG3WqMUSukjRD_PORyOGG4QUz3yTn0TocQ2zdbaaYPd-D8qHwvUAOTQZrc7ItOJMhNmz-OPXVP_-uJk4Qw/s1600/BearBrookFatASs+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASzVDj_MrkGen46vUPMFnh8Fqo_cV2GvxyzQ-wC2zycuoaSXIztMoAG3WqMUSukjRD_PORyOGG4QUz3yTn0TocQ2zdbaaYPd-D8qHwvUAOTQZrc7ItOJMhNmz-OPXVP_-uJk4Qw/s320/BearBrookFatASs+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gazelle, Sherpa, me, Taps, Puma, and photog My Runner</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>My Runner, Sherpa, Puma, Gazelle, Taps, and myself broke trail up the slope. The trail on the map appeared to be no more than a quarter mile, but the sign at the trail head stated 1.2 miles to the summit (the first in MANY signs that this day would be longer than expected). We all worked hard breaking the trail taking turns in the lead until we reached the summit. About a tenth of a mile from the top we saw the quarter mile summit trail that was the PLANNED route... whoops. We used it as a return route and began down the groomed Podunk Road. (Seriously. Podunk. I *wish* I could make this shit up.)<br />
<br />
The snowmobilers were out in droves. I knew Bear Brook was popular for snow mobiles, but we spent a quarter of the time hunkered by the side of the groomed road choking on fumes. The positive- at least half of them were polite and shared the roads with us. <br />
<br />
It wasn't long- ok, it WAS long, but we weren't far into my planned hike when I leaned over to Taps who has a fancy-schmancy GPS watch and said, "How long we been out here?"<br />
"About two hours."<br />
"And... how far have we gone?"<br />
"5.3 miles."<br />
"Shit. Sherpa, lemme see that map...."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNwgAQ_xYYH5OkMn0vtf-sVz-a96fix_LgfwKWyhDQS2CiZNBANQxqxBahTDaxx_IeEPwtIVXqrVTesShpbShd-4bhgh8jfqkKpN0247EZ4AyPQ6P9zVR2eUgD2regGAzPWQQtg/s1600/BearBrookFatASs+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNwgAQ_xYYH5OkMn0vtf-sVz-a96fix_LgfwKWyhDQS2CiZNBANQxqxBahTDaxx_IeEPwtIVXqrVTesShpbShd-4bhgh8jfqkKpN0247EZ4AyPQ6P9zVR2eUgD2regGAzPWQQtg/s320/BearBrookFatASs+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taps and me on the trails</div><br />
We were about a third of the way into the "9 mile" loop, and still quite a distance from the bail out points. I was feeling great, but Gazel had only snowshoed about 4 times this year, and Puma was nursing an injury and coming back from time off. We weren't going super fast, but I realized there was no way this was gonna be short for anyone. I confided in Sherpa, who looked at me knowingly. "I didn't know how to tell you without stepping on your toes..." Whelp, in for a penny in for a pound today. Shit, in for a penny in for a kilo and a bonus pack.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7_pwuvhlQqB2tDCDmvbyMpIulg0fcjRDLTzLqNJjHCRStDiY41NemdAE8fByMQuyaEHWoJeLs4qeVGFNpbspQgwWOAblIiX0IHWYIwyX1K4SmGw-sApZwgO2RmjONThCylH_rg/s1600/BearBrookFatASs+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7_pwuvhlQqB2tDCDmvbyMpIulg0fcjRDLTzLqNJjHCRStDiY41NemdAE8fByMQuyaEHWoJeLs4qeVGFNpbspQgwWOAblIiX0IHWYIwyX1K4SmGw-sApZwgO2RmjONThCylH_rg/s320/BearBrookFatASs+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gazelle, Puma, and Sherpa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcYdmF4j_Q6QH3xgfio3c8xf7vTbHnyXfcC2TMw3oBZDSpLj9s9X-FILqOnhAx7dje3ofiTZuvePYVWautLVWe1uBHlupRQRMNMqNkCSbZH3vSt2xW6WZ6g-hfG1VnEf92nYzbA/s1600/BearBrookFatASs+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcYdmF4j_Q6QH3xgfio3c8xf7vTbHnyXfcC2TMw3oBZDSpLj9s9X-FILqOnhAx7dje3ofiTZuvePYVWautLVWe1uBHlupRQRMNMqNkCSbZH3vSt2xW6WZ6g-hfG1VnEf92nYzbA/s320/BearBrookFatASs+011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My Runner giving me a (deserved) long-suffering look</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ultimately we were on the trail for about 5 hours and 11.5 miles. Dad and L arrived at the parking lot an hour and change before us, and gallantly picked up beer for everyone. At the mention of beer, Gazelle, true to her name, sprang ahead, eager to take of her snow shoes and relax.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmhPH1xnfH03bJbHl3smeYEMIQ1UQrKG0sdaOSaMGwxB_7ZadqMA9bvfo4H-kKFbzAY_LTx-9YuQzDWrIs8YwB3zc_dh09GlEPmoX_nMGOhYeePDAOV7P2gpQqcVxlLxa5uiIxA/s1600/BearBrookFatASs+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmhPH1xnfH03bJbHl3smeYEMIQ1UQrKG0sdaOSaMGwxB_7ZadqMA9bvfo4H-kKFbzAY_LTx-9YuQzDWrIs8YwB3zc_dh09GlEPmoX_nMGOhYeePDAOV7P2gpQqcVxlLxa5uiIxA/s320/BearBrookFatASs+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gazelle waiting impatiently for us to catch up, Sherpa with his trademark Shit-Eating-Grin</div><br />
I felt GREAT at the end of 11.5 miles. Puma was hurting, but in good spirits once her shoes were off. Taps was still bouncing off the walls- that guy has ENDLESS energy. Sherpa seemed to have a great time, but headed home early (poor guy <a href="http://sherpajohn.blogspot.com/2011/01/diet.html">can't have beer now</a> anyways...). My Runner had angered his achillies after 18+ miles of snowshoeing in boots not really made for hiking or outdoor sports.<br />
<br />
Dad, L, Taps, Puma, My Runner, and I retired back to my place for salty snacks and crock-pot fajitas. The beer flowed, we chatted about hiking, races and runs past and future, and much more. Fred got some cuddle love. I started to fade around 6:30, kicked out the guests, had one last beer with Dad, then excused myself and slept, SOUNDLY, for 10 hours.<br />
<br />
I made many "mistakes" with this first Fat Ass. I'm still not sure what happened with the map scale, and I really should have scouted at least the parking area. While I understand the decision to break up the group, I was bummed I didn't spend more time with Dad on the trails. However I was very happy snow shoeing ELEVEN MILES! And luckily my mistakes didn't result in any serious injuries or illnesses. Best of all, I got to explore an amazing park that's about twenty minutes from my apartment.<br />
<br />
It'll be a while before I plan a Fat Ass again, but when I do I hope to at least not make the same mistakes twice.leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-14693848455244808922011-01-27T19:50:00.000-05:002011-01-27T19:50:00.851-05:00Without a RudderEver feel directionless? Like you're floating? Not in the "happy cloud" way, but in the "I don't know where I'm going and I don't have the energy to care" way? I've kinda got that feeling right now. Hence why the post-silence. I don't feel drained or depressed. I do plenty of things just fine, but it's not easy to gather motivation. Offer me a choice and I don't really care- sometimes I'll pick one just to move forward, but I don't have a strong inclination towards... well... anything. It's been long enough that I need to DO something to snap out of it, but what?<br />
<br />
Have you ever been in this mood? Any suggestions?leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-88205852027250212952010-12-29T15:58:00.001-05:002011-02-03T20:19:58.277-05:00Wholly DazedMerry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friendly Hallmark Christian*!!<br />
<br />
This holiday season has been filled with family, friends, and finally in the North East, SNOW!!!<br />
<br />
My Runner and I broke out the snowshoes this past Monday to give them a whirl. I huffed and puffed through the 2-ish miles in the woods. We were (ok, mostly he was) breaking trail. The wind was still gusting a lot and the trees creaked and cracked above us. It was great!<br />
<br />
Pops came up for Christmas as usual and came up (pre-snow) to My Runner's house and for a trail run in the woods. I spent some time with my Grammy, Great Aunt, and Aunt for lunch on Christmas Day, and was able to put in a significant visit to my mother's large family for dinner. Back to work for a few days this week, but it's nice and quiet with most people on vacation.<br />
<br />
My Runner has put together a few <a href="http://felixatvtc.blogspot.com/">posts</a> of a year in review, along with a spectacular <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IByYGbU4uAM">slideshow</a>. It's inspired me to actually take some time to look back on my year, highlight the high points, ruminate on the lessons learned, and set goals for the new year. I'll do this throughout the month of January and over several posts.<br />
<br />
I've also been putting off research for the next car on my list: the Ford Fiesta. A cursory search says it's a good car that's well reviewed, but my brand perception of Ford is giving me researchers-block. I might just skip it for now and head on down to the Nissan Versa & Cube....<br />
<br />
If you're at work, I hope I've sufficiently distracted you for a few minutes (and playing on JibJab is totally fun). If you're on vacation, get off this damned machine and go play!!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*Hallmark Christianity is a phrase I created to describe those that have a Christian heritage, and maybe were baptized once upon a time, but NEVER go to church- not even at Christmas or Easter. These folks DO celebrate Christmas and to a certain extent Easter, but in the most superficial and consumer-based way, embodied by the Hallmark Greeting Card. </span>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-50961538112044375962010-12-22T15:45:00.000-05:002010-12-22T15:45:27.595-05:00Update: 2011 ElantraThanks, Consumer Reports Blog, for a super-timely update on the 2011 Elantra! Looks like the re-design for this year is even better than the quite good 2010 Elantra. Hmm... maybe it will earn a higher place on the list?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/12/first-look-2011-hyundai-elantra-gls.html">First Look Hyundai Elantra</a> (Video embedded in article webpage)leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-5821544297884534922010-12-21T09:25:00.000-05:002010-12-21T09:25:55.935-05:00"Why do you think I have this OUTRAGEOUS Accent?""... you silly English kin-ig-it!"<br />
<br />
My original thought was to look into the VERY inexpensive Accent. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqYPwksLM3Y6UjS126MWKC__choma-bUvqKkfU_PsNJjpoTYQ-1fy0yWWT9lwxOIFiuVgR5a4AJx47r5xMXSsyO5ePo80tJOtuH_rnEJGdRW3wqyl-fzGGCm-enpw7v5QSZBjYw/s1600/Accent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqYPwksLM3Y6UjS126MWKC__choma-bUvqKkfU_PsNJjpoTYQ-1fy0yWWT9lwxOIFiuVgR5a4AJx47r5xMXSsyO5ePo80tJOtuH_rnEJGdRW3wqyl-fzGGCm-enpw7v5QSZBjYw/s320/Accent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Seriously, the hatch version starts at $9,985. However, it only comes in a 3-door (2 passenger doors and a hatch) version, and I'd really prefer true back-seat doors. Also, it's cheap because it's, well... cheap. The base model doesn't even have ABS as an OPTION. Now, I know how to break so they don't lock up, but resale wise not having that pretty basic standard feature is kinda crap. Needless to say, the Accent was eliminated from my list after about 3 minutes of research.<br />
<br />
Onto the Elantra Touring. <br />
<br />
Base Model MSRP: $15,995 (no additions)<br />
EPA Milage: 23/31<br />
<br />
The Elantra is Hyundai's compact sedan, the Touring is the hatch version. It comes will all the safety features standard (unlike the Accent) and some of the perks I want in a car like keyless entry. The only possible add-ons would be cruise control and MAYBE steering wheel audio controls. <br />
<br />
Too bad it's totally a mom-mobile:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUndxbcc_nMZj0UGuOicXMnkDsdA1hWpJmd3aDQWpd3zOv2O4iUfVR1HJcek10XoMijJYzfC-w0gJuvnmrrqcj5bB2e45f9_p9Q6NbmwviKePUig62rls8E5r2r2eiDqGxzIDaQ/s1600/Elantra+Touring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUndxbcc_nMZj0UGuOicXMnkDsdA1hWpJmd3aDQWpd3zOv2O4iUfVR1HJcek10XoMijJYzfC-w0gJuvnmrrqcj5bB2e45f9_p9Q6NbmwviKePUig62rls8E5r2r2eiDqGxzIDaQ/s320/Elantra+Touring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Reviews on the Elantra SE are quite favorable, though. Enough to make me think about looking at the sedan model:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-UNSbb0jKOq6xZGxMjdYb3dCQWBaGs3U2iRWtXRc01bjnu7nJr7BPy9qr6dep4gDTAQIMzxYNlWkIf1yBBsiSPrXGCWhI8SkppmHmFCSg6SIIMKZ-akf-vJqIR1YS70PonAfLw/s1600/Elantra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-UNSbb0jKOq6xZGxMjdYb3dCQWBaGs3U2iRWtXRc01bjnu7nJr7BPy9qr6dep4gDTAQIMzxYNlWkIf1yBBsiSPrXGCWhI8SkppmHmFCSg6SIIMKZ-akf-vJqIR1YS70PonAfLw/s320/Elantra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Pretty sexy, no? With a starting price tag of $14,830 (more than $1K lower than the hatch) and EPA mileage 29/33, it seems to be a better buy. But is it really? Let's compare (thanks, Hyundai website!)<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 4.4pt; width: 391px;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td nowrap="" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 138.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="184"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black;">Elantra <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">GLS</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MT</st1:state></st1:place></span><o:p></o:p></b></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="207"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><b><span style="color: black;">Elantra Touring <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">GLS</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MT</st1:state></st1:place></span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 138.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="184" x:num="14830"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">$14,830 </span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="207" x:num="15995"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">$15,995 </span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 138.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="184"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">EPA mileage 29/33</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="207"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">EPA Milage: 23/31</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 138.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="184"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">Anti-Trap trunk release</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="207"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">not an option</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 138.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="184"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">Auto Headlights w/ off</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="207"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">not an option</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 138.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="184"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">Remote Trunk Release</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="207"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">not an option</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 138.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="184"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">A/C option</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="207"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">A/C standard</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 138.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="184"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">Trip Computer</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 18.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="207"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="color: black;">not an option</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
So, the only thing I'd *loose* is standard AC. I'd gain the standard remote doors and trunk. Some of the options, like Cruise Control, remain the same. So, unless the AC is $1K, the sedan IS a better buy then the Touring. Reviews? Consumer Reports video:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/drives/2011-hyundai-elantra-test-drive">Popular Mechanics Review of Hyundai Elantra</a><br />
<br />
End result: Accent is off the list as is the Elantra Touring, but the Elantra sedan has made the list; the only <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">sedan in a sea of hatches.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Potential Cars:</span><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Honda FIT</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Kia Soul</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Hyundai Elantra </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Ford Fiesta </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Nissan Versa (& Cube)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Mazda MAZDA A2 (& A3 5-door)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10. Toyota Yaris </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eliminated:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kia Rio 5</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toyota Matrix</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hyundai Accent</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hyundai Elantra Touring</span></span></div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10856092.post-70685771949144548822010-12-16T14:16:00.002-05:002010-12-16T14:21:57.376-05:00TOYOTATo start, I still have faith in the Toyota brand even after the gas-pedal recall hullabaloo. Recalls were widespread, sure, but they also resolved all the issues quickly and thoroughly. My Runner and Face both drive Toyotas and are happy with their vehicles. I've never heard anyone complain about having a "lemon" with a Toyota. I'm a little over the typical Prius "I drive a hybrid so I can drive my car 1/4 mile down the road because I'm better than you" driver, but that's Society's fault, not Toyota's. (I know not all Prius drivers are holier-than-thou- several of my damneder-than-thou relatives drive Priuses... just using a stereotype to save time.)<br />
<br />
So, I like the idea of driving a Toyota. The two hatch-back cars are the economy Yaris and the sedan Matrix. Both have incredible standard safety features, like all Toyotas. How do they stack up against the Fit, and my budget in general?<br />
<br />
Toyota Yaris (5-door Hatch)<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Base Model, ST, MSRP: $13,155</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Est. MPG City/Hwy: 29/36</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK9tZNSnDL6LzIVz1aIkwyBhoC7HpsJCuFICY9gQP-XACwVOtt-PLymgJ3MBgmKonUyVyL9mup3kOnZP3EtS_j0PqE8bDR1MlXrakUvSjhUEETUwUZEmLXEv7YcG_e9CxrKURxg/s1600/Yaris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK9tZNSnDL6LzIVz1aIkwyBhoC7HpsJCuFICY9gQP-XACwVOtt-PLymgJ3MBgmKonUyVyL9mup3kOnZP3EtS_j0PqE8bDR1MlXrakUvSjhUEETUwUZEmLXEv7YcG_e9CxrKURxg/s400/Yaris.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Need upgrade package for power locks & remote key. Upgrade from radio also needs package. Cruise control is an option.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Stability Control is standard.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Priced for my area w/convenience package (for CD player & aux jack, split fold-down back seats, and extra heating) price is $14,945. Would want to add CC, but not an option on a "build a Yaris" so I'm not sure how that would affect the price. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="275" id="flashObj" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=9332282001&playerID=21495733001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAEBLslo~,TRCIcidXIoz02P6SYQmtXfTw7cDMrhEI&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=9332282001&playerID=21495733001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAEBLslo~,TRCIcidXIoz02P6SYQmtXfTw7cDMrhEI&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="400" height="275" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Consumer Report's video review. Basically says outright it's a bit of crap for the money you spend, and the Fit's a superior car. Other reviews (linked below) mention the same issues- pricey with options, noisy, sluggish response... Great mileage, though! Breaking point? Two measly cup holders for the front seats. Pppphhhbbbbttttt!!!!! Yaris, you're at the end of the list- yes, even below the Kia. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<a href="http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/yaris/2011/?mktcat=yaris-ratings&kw=yaris+reviews&mktid=ga18576460&gclid=CMrOnKSk8aUCFUuJ5god7C7DCQ">Edmunds Review of the 2011 Yaris</a><br />
<a href="http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Toyota_Yaris/">US News Review of the 2011 Yaris</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Toyota Matrix </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Base Model, ST, MSRP: $16,700</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Est. MPG City/Hwy: 26/32</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPXrPzPDRhOnfkHnge43QgGTfU6w73MXDi8rifMBfA1mc1-ltt38omp9RJuG0C31DWH6oFfIIsoKSba2tgGYhhyHcqRfkrcsy0EZWg1z9pLm1sMVNoUnXHUpR30b10XF6VTFNBg/s1600/Matrix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPXrPzPDRhOnfkHnge43QgGTfU6w73MXDi8rifMBfA1mc1-ltt38omp9RJuG0C31DWH6oFfIIsoKSba2tgGYhhyHcqRfkrcsy0EZWg1z9pLm1sMVNoUnXHUpR30b10XF6VTFNBg/s400/Matrix.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As with Yaris, most convenience stuff is in a package- power locks, remote entry, etc. It has a telescopic steering wheel adjust like the Fit, and at least the CD player/Aux Jack is standard. Has the same great safety features including Stability Control all standard. Have to go to the next model up, Matrix S AND get the AWD version for over $20k for AWD- not sure if it's needed, but would be interesting to drive the AWD model to see the difference. Still, not really in the market for a $20k car. Mileage kinda sucks, actually....</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Priced for my area w/ "power package" which has extra winter stuff like a rear windshield wiper, plus power locks and keyless entry is $19,300. Whelp, that's $20K which effectively prices the Matrix off of my list. See ya! <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The list as it currently stands:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Honda FIT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Kia Soul</span><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Hundai Accent (& Elantra Touring)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Ford Fiesta </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Nissan Versa (& Cube)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Mazda MAZDA A2 (& A3 5-door)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10. Toyota Yaris </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eliminated:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kia Rio 5</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toyota Matrix</span></span></div></div>leeapeeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00596452104713562637noreply@blogger.com0