Well Jillian kicked my arse ! After three days of starting her 30 day shred I got sick with a naughty mystery spring/end of winter illness. So after fever, coughing, and plenty of phlegm I had to take spring break week off for recovery. So I will be starting that over tomorrow.
Today however I got back into the saddle with a much needed first training session with my Bliss Girl who is running with me in the marathon. Saturday I took a trip down to Tanger in Branson and got my running shoes and a pair of Sketchers Shape Ups. This year I am going to try running in a different shoe ... Saucony shoes seemed to fit me pretty good and after today's run I am pleased so far with their performance.
I have a narrow heel and I roll my right foot out when I run ... a leftover from that foot being turned in when I was born. Supination I believe is the term for that. The Brooks shoes just didn't keep my heel locked in without me having to lace them so tight as to cause foot numbness. I could post pictures of my nasty feet after the run last year, but we won't gross you out.
The Sacuony model I bought were the Grid series and they are a Neutral shoe. Saucony have a bit higher heel which has seemed to help with the cramping calf issue I had last year. Today's run produced mild cramping but nothing so debilitating that I had to stop to release the cramp. The outsides of my feet were mildly sore but the shoes did hold their own and keep my foot straight. The arch support is awesome and I didn't get that "numb toe" effect on my outside little toes. My heels also stayed where they were supposed to and so they didn't bang against the end of the shoe. I have two pair of slightly different models that felt good on my feet that I will be breaking in and the ones that feel the best on my long run days will be my marathon shoes.
It was a beautiful day to take a run today and I look forward to working on increasing my speed so that I can hopefully improve my time this year.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Marathon Two ....Twin Cities
Yeah I know , what are you doing? Well after the euphoric rush and epic crash after the MCM last year, I have decided to see if I can do it again. So Minnesota here I come this October. Training has started with me getting back into the groove of daily exercise and movement. One recommendation from a co-worker was the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. The shred consists of three workouts each increasing in intensity but the catch is that each workout is only 20 minutes long.
20 minutes of non-stop movement 3min cardio , 2 strength and 1 min abs in a set of circuits designed for maximum fat burning and muscle toning. It is very similar to something I read on my friend Steve's advice Bill Phillips Body for Life. Basically its several studies that show that 20 minutes of good hard circuit training will do just as well on fat burning as an hour of cardio.
Jillian turned me into Jell-o. I am feeling this workout all over my body. She recommends you start off with 2lb weights. I now see why. After push-ups and arm raises and bicep curls with these weights my arms and chest are feeling it. I am not uncomfortably sore but I do feel like I worked out. So while the workouts may become repetitive for 9.99 not a bad video. I plan on interspersing this with my runs and other activities to build my legs up for the run.
So to keep myself accountable ... I'll continue to document my journey.
20 minutes of non-stop movement 3min cardio , 2 strength and 1 min abs in a set of circuits designed for maximum fat burning and muscle toning. It is very similar to something I read on my friend Steve's advice Bill Phillips Body for Life. Basically its several studies that show that 20 minutes of good hard circuit training will do just as well on fat burning as an hour of cardio.
Jillian turned me into Jell-o. I am feeling this workout all over my body. She recommends you start off with 2lb weights. I now see why. After push-ups and arm raises and bicep curls with these weights my arms and chest are feeling it. I am not uncomfortably sore but I do feel like I worked out. So while the workouts may become repetitive for 9.99 not a bad video. I plan on interspersing this with my runs and other activities to build my legs up for the run.
So to keep myself accountable ... I'll continue to document my journey.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The ritual of the hairdo ....
I got my hair done last weekend and since it is so short my stylist did a new color treatment on it instead of my usual "tinfoil radio antennae" look.
She brought out ... "the cap" ....NO no not "the clap" ... the cap. I'd never been "capped" before although i had rarely seen it done to others. It looked kinda like a rain bonnet ... or a babushka ... or one of those Amish head-coverings (as she put it) only it was riddled with these tiny holes..
I thought it looked more like one of my grandma's plastic rain caps ... sorta like the ones you see the guys wearing in the Monty Python skits .
So anyway there I sit in the chair, a giant plastic bag over my head waiting to see what comes next. My stylist now comes at me wielding an instrument ... it looks sharp ... its a stick with a tiny hook on the end. This she explains will punch through the holes in the cap and she will draw the tiny sections of hair through the cap so that they can be colored.
She then starts to poke the hook through the hat on the sides pulling tiny chunks of hair through the holes. The first one is mildly uncomfortable ... like when you pull your ponytail too tight . She begins to go faster ... and it starts to hurt worse ... my eyes are tearing up as with each pull of the hook i feel like chunks of my hair are being forcibly removed from my scalp. And she's being gentle ....since the cap is jammed on my head as the hook grasps the hair it is in effect knotted upon itself under the hat before the tension releases through the hole in the hood.
After she's done I look like one of the play dough barbershop characters
anyway the short part of the rest of the story is that she colored my hair and it looks fabu... but I'm still gonna try to avoid the cap if i can help it ...
She brought out ... "the cap" ....NO no not "the clap" ... the cap. I'd never been "capped" before although i had rarely seen it done to others. It looked kinda like a rain bonnet ... or a babushka ... or one of those Amish head-coverings (as she put it) only it was riddled with these tiny holes..
I thought it looked more like one of my grandma's plastic rain caps ... sorta like the ones you see the guys wearing in the Monty Python skits .
So anyway there I sit in the chair, a giant plastic bag over my head waiting to see what comes next. My stylist now comes at me wielding an instrument ... it looks sharp ... its a stick with a tiny hook on the end. This she explains will punch through the holes in the cap and she will draw the tiny sections of hair through the cap so that they can be colored.
She then starts to poke the hook through the hat on the sides pulling tiny chunks of hair through the holes. The first one is mildly uncomfortable ... like when you pull your ponytail too tight . She begins to go faster ... and it starts to hurt worse ... my eyes are tearing up as with each pull of the hook i feel like chunks of my hair are being forcibly removed from my scalp. And she's being gentle ....since the cap is jammed on my head as the hook grasps the hair it is in effect knotted upon itself under the hat before the tension releases through the hole in the hood.
After she's done I look like one of the play dough barbershop characters anyway the short part of the rest of the story is that she colored my hair and it looks fabu... but I'm still gonna try to avoid the cap if i can help it ...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
INFP Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving -The introvert
This is me.
"It's all about energy: What appears to be the bottom-line difference between introverts and extroverts is that social interactions are energizing to extroverts but draining for introverts. This is why I might come to your party but leave long before the conga line starts. And why a stretch of interaction then requires a few days of solitude to recover. If you understand this, you will have grasped a key quality of your introverted friends and their perhaps puzzling behavior (why didn't she come to the after-hours party?) will make more sense.
I am an introvert. I am not angry or antisocial. I love people its just my energy level isn't the same as most other people. Introverts are people who find other people tiring. Some people don't understand this. They label me as uncaring, bitchy, aloof, arrogant, rude and cold when I can't meet their needs.
There are many out there like me(about 25% of the population) and a lot of my friends are like me. I am going to try to help you get to know me and understand me." Here are a few excerpts taken from other introverts blogs and articles. They make for an educated read.
I'm not shy. When I'm in the mood to socialize, I'm perfectly friendly and outgoing. When I'm reluctant to socialize, it's choice, not fear. So if I decline an invitation, please don't push or insist it will be good for me. I have my reasons and they're valid. (At the same time, I promise not to say "no thanks" too often.)
Dr Irene S. Levine
When inviting the introvert to do something, give them a way out. Introverts don't always want to be out doing things, but it can be very difficult when they are expected to. Saying no, even though they want to, can make them feel guilty. http://www.ehow.com/how_4742136_be-friends-introvert.html
"It is very difficult for an extrovert to understand an introvert," write the education experts Jill D. Burruss and Lisa Kaenzig.
Perhaps the hardest thing for extraverts to understand about introverts is that someone could actually want to be alone. Not because they don’t like to have fun, or because they hate people, but just because they prefer their internal world, and they need to return to it to be energized. If someone doesn’t want to hang out with you, don’t try to push them, because they just need their “me” time
"I have good social skills. I am not morose or misanthropic. Usually. I am far from shy. I love long conversations that explore intimate thoughts or passionate interests.....The worst of it is that extroverts have no idea of the torment they put us through. Sometimes, as we gasp for air amid the fog of their 98-percent-content-free talk, we wonder if extroverts even bother to listen to themselves. Still, we endure stoically, because the etiquette books—written, no doubt, by extroverts—regard declining to banter as rude and gaps in conversation as awkward. We can only dream that someday, when our condition is more widely understood, when perhaps an Introverts' Rights movement has blossomed and borne fruit, it will not be impolite to say "I'm an introvert. You are a wonderful person and I like you. But now please shush."" Jonathan Rauch “Caring for Your Introvert”
"Introverts want to have friends – at least most of us do, even if it’s only a couple good friends. We’re not really into the idea of collecting a long list of names just for the sake of knowing lots of people. We prefer to cultivate a few quality friendships, even if we have a wide circle of acquaintances (for extroverts, acquaintances are friends; for introverts, acquaintances are acquaintances)." Lee Ann Lambert
"And a lot of you have said you feel the same. Introverts don't do phone if we can help it.
We enjoy dinner with one or two or a few friends. I don't care if it's a fancy place; it's all about the conversation over a meal and some wine. I also like doing lunch. It's a good way to keep in touch with people and it's rarely longer than an hour or two.
road trips, alone or with anyone who is capable of long stretches of silence. In a car on the road, I am insulated from anyone who might pester me or make demands or natter. The view is ever-changing and something about the motion sends my thoughts down all sorts of interesting paths.
I'm bored by boring people. I'm bored by long stories about people I don't know, by hollow chit-chat, by anyone whose idea of conversation is a monologue. " Sophia Dembling
"As much as I like people and being with them, I’m not energized by them; sooner or later I turn into a pumpkin and go off to have time by myself, in order to recenter and hit the “reset” button, and to be presentable to other human beings once more. Which is to say the way I energize is to spend time by myself, which is a classic introvert thing." John Scalzi
Acceptance: Validate her need for distance without taking it as rejection.
"However, if an introvert ever gets into a discussion about a topic that he or she has a particular interest in, then his or her internal machinations may be externalized. Such a discussion may be quite beneficial, functional, deep, involved, emotional, etc. The tendency amongst introverts is to have discussions of the most meaningful sort --otherwise, no discussion at all is preferred. From an introvert's point of view, most other discussions are simply "chatter".
If you are with a talkative group of extroverts, then you and the group can and should be comfortable with your silence. The space for this possibility can be createdis by making sure the group knows you and that you are not being silent out of hostility." George Hernandez
When an extravert sees you reading, writing, or maybe just thinking, they might assume that the only reason you’d do this is because you don’t have someone to talk to. So they think they’re doing you a favor by striking up a conversation, when they’re actually interrupting.
No matter how fabulous a person you are, keep in mind that introverts simply prefer their internal world to the external world. They might start off with a fully charged battery, but while they’re engaged in conversation, that battery is steadily draining. How long it lasts depends on various factors, but be sure to keep an eye out for when they’re starting to lose interest. Be more to the point with introverts.
The enjoyment of and a preference for solitude is an introvert behavior that many extroverts can't understand. I can, and have, gone for days without so much as speaking to someone on the phone. I don't know how long I could go before I would seek outside contact. My life requires contact. But I would say probably 2 weeks. http://www.thoughtful-self-improvement.com/Introvert-Extrovert.html
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200303/rauch
http://livingintroverted.com/blog3/category/loneliness/
"It's all about energy: What appears to be the bottom-line difference between introverts and extroverts is that social interactions are energizing to extroverts but draining for introverts. This is why I might come to your party but leave long before the conga line starts. And why a stretch of interaction then requires a few days of solitude to recover. If you understand this, you will have grasped a key quality of your introverted friends and their perhaps puzzling behavior (why didn't she come to the after-hours party?) will make more sense.
I am an introvert. I am not angry or antisocial. I love people its just my energy level isn't the same as most other people. Introverts are people who find other people tiring. Some people don't understand this. They label me as uncaring, bitchy, aloof, arrogant, rude and cold when I can't meet their needs.
There are many out there like me(about 25% of the population) and a lot of my friends are like me. I am going to try to help you get to know me and understand me." Here are a few excerpts taken from other introverts blogs and articles. They make for an educated read.
I'm not shy. When I'm in the mood to socialize, I'm perfectly friendly and outgoing. When I'm reluctant to socialize, it's choice, not fear. So if I decline an invitation, please don't push or insist it will be good for me. I have my reasons and they're valid. (At the same time, I promise not to say "no thanks" too often.)
Dr Irene S. Levine
When inviting the introvert to do something, give them a way out. Introverts don't always want to be out doing things, but it can be very difficult when they are expected to. Saying no, even though they want to, can make them feel guilty. http://www.ehow.com/how_4742136_be-friends-introvert.html
"It is very difficult for an extrovert to understand an introvert," write the education experts Jill D. Burruss and Lisa Kaenzig.
Perhaps the hardest thing for extraverts to understand about introverts is that someone could actually want to be alone. Not because they don’t like to have fun, or because they hate people, but just because they prefer their internal world, and they need to return to it to be energized. If someone doesn’t want to hang out with you, don’t try to push them, because they just need their “me” time
"I have good social skills. I am not morose or misanthropic. Usually. I am far from shy. I love long conversations that explore intimate thoughts or passionate interests.....The worst of it is that extroverts have no idea of the torment they put us through. Sometimes, as we gasp for air amid the fog of their 98-percent-content-free talk, we wonder if extroverts even bother to listen to themselves. Still, we endure stoically, because the etiquette books—written, no doubt, by extroverts—regard declining to banter as rude and gaps in conversation as awkward. We can only dream that someday, when our condition is more widely understood, when perhaps an Introverts' Rights movement has blossomed and borne fruit, it will not be impolite to say "I'm an introvert. You are a wonderful person and I like you. But now please shush."" Jonathan Rauch “Caring for Your Introvert”
"Introverts want to have friends – at least most of us do, even if it’s only a couple good friends. We’re not really into the idea of collecting a long list of names just for the sake of knowing lots of people. We prefer to cultivate a few quality friendships, even if we have a wide circle of acquaintances (for extroverts, acquaintances are friends; for introverts, acquaintances are acquaintances)." Lee Ann Lambert
"And a lot of you have said you feel the same. Introverts don't do phone if we can help it.
We enjoy dinner with one or two or a few friends. I don't care if it's a fancy place; it's all about the conversation over a meal and some wine. I also like doing lunch. It's a good way to keep in touch with people and it's rarely longer than an hour or two.
road trips, alone or with anyone who is capable of long stretches of silence. In a car on the road, I am insulated from anyone who might pester me or make demands or natter. The view is ever-changing and something about the motion sends my thoughts down all sorts of interesting paths.
I'm bored by boring people. I'm bored by long stories about people I don't know, by hollow chit-chat, by anyone whose idea of conversation is a monologue. " Sophia Dembling
"As much as I like people and being with them, I’m not energized by them; sooner or later I turn into a pumpkin and go off to have time by myself, in order to recenter and hit the “reset” button, and to be presentable to other human beings once more. Which is to say the way I energize is to spend time by myself, which is a classic introvert thing." John Scalzi
Acceptance: Validate her need for distance without taking it as rejection.
"However, if an introvert ever gets into a discussion about a topic that he or she has a particular interest in, then his or her internal machinations may be externalized. Such a discussion may be quite beneficial, functional, deep, involved, emotional, etc. The tendency amongst introverts is to have discussions of the most meaningful sort --otherwise, no discussion at all is preferred. From an introvert's point of view, most other discussions are simply "chatter".
If you are with a talkative group of extroverts, then you and the group can and should be comfortable with your silence. The space for this possibility can be createdis by making sure the group knows you and that you are not being silent out of hostility." George Hernandez
When an extravert sees you reading, writing, or maybe just thinking, they might assume that the only reason you’d do this is because you don’t have someone to talk to. So they think they’re doing you a favor by striking up a conversation, when they’re actually interrupting.
No matter how fabulous a person you are, keep in mind that introverts simply prefer their internal world to the external world. They might start off with a fully charged battery, but while they’re engaged in conversation, that battery is steadily draining. How long it lasts depends on various factors, but be sure to keep an eye out for when they’re starting to lose interest. Be more to the point with introverts.
The enjoyment of and a preference for solitude is an introvert behavior that many extroverts can't understand. I can, and have, gone for days without so much as speaking to someone on the phone. I don't know how long I could go before I would seek outside contact. My life requires contact. But I would say probably 2 weeks. http://www.thoughtful-self-improvement.com/Introvert-Extrovert.html
- Discuss with the introvert any negative feelings that arise from lack of communication, especially if the introvert is more isolated than you. You may indeed feel ignored. Both parties can learn from each other and repeated discussions may be necessary.
- Try to reach a compromise with the introvert on entertainment issues. An introvert is unlikely to become a social butterfly, but if they rarely accompany you to important events or even a monthly night out, work on a better arrangement. http://www.ehow.com/how_2178755_live-introvert.html
I enjoy social get togethers, but I can only take so much. After a certain amount of time, I'm done. It drains me & in order to get my energy back, I need some time alone. When we've scheduled too much time with friends & family and I haven't allowed for down time, I get super grouchy. When I haven't had time to recharge, I don't really want to be touched & I don't want my kids climbing all over me. Sometimes I feel like a mean, horrible person, but I can't help it. I need just a little bit of time to myself & I feel much more sane, much more energized & I'm ready to love & care for my family again. http://candacetodd.blogspot.com/2010/02/introvertthatd-be-me.html
Bottom line I like to socialize and I love my friends. When my energy reserves are up I'm all for go go go and party hardy ... However when I say "no " it's not because I reject you or don' t like you it's because I'm physically or mentally exhausted. I'll get out with you once I've recharged. Please keep inviting even if you find it frustrating. I like to be told ahead of time so I can see how my energy level is. I don't like talking on the phone for long periods of time if you live near me because I find it wasteful when we could be chatting at my house (or yours) over coffee while I putter around. I prefer texting, but please don't take it personally if I don't reply right back. I will once I've thought of the right reply or once I get out of work. My perfect relaxing evening is to be at home recharging by working on reading or writing on the computer with good food and a glass of wine. I am a deep thinker and I do get distracted by thoughts if the conversation turns to trivial things or too much personal problem sharing. I'm a great listener, but I will get frustrated if you run me over when I try to speak. I have made it a goal in life to stay positive and not impose my will on others. I expect the same in return. The people who are my close friends understand this and love me for the things I bring into our relationship. My extroverted friends are very valuable to me as they are the spice in my life that keeps me from being too disconnected from the world. So in the end it's all about energy and balance. as one person put it we're like rechargeable batteries ... on full charge we can go but we run down once run down we take time to recharge and get right back on the track again.
Remember no matter what I love you all !
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200303/rauch
http://livingintroverted.com/blog3/category/loneliness/
Friday, September 11, 2009
Marathon Training .....it's getting a bit rank around here
For those of you who do or do not know I joined the OC a month ago and plunked down another $30 smackeroos for a second month this week. I am very pleased that i seem to be progressing much much better than I did when trying to do it all outdoors.
I walk a lot a work usually a total of around 3-5 miles a day and adding another bit on top of that at the gym has really seemed to increase my stamina.
Advantages of the gym for marathon training are the following (as i see it) :
I get a fairly accurate count of the actual distance I am covering.
I get an accurate time count without interrupting the flow of the workout to unlock my phone to check the time
I have a variety of aerobic activity to complement the cross training i need to do - stair climbers, recumbent bikes, elliptical, treadmills.
I can make up my own version of circuit training via the weight machines that are steps away from the aerobic stuff.
I can plug the phone in for music, watch tv or prop a book up on the machine while i work out ..this lessens the chances of me pooping out due to boredom.
I truly am sweating due to exertion and not due to the G-damn humidity outside.
Also at the gym if I happen to be stricken with a double calf cramp (which mine are prone to do in the first mile and a half of a run) there is someone there to help me hobble to my car .
Enough about that ...how I am feeling ... I am pushing myself pretty hard but I also am doing it the smart way and avoiding injury. I do not subscribe to the NO pain NO gain theory. Sister if it hurts for too long I'm changing it up.
I have found that even with new shoes, orthotics and ankle supports I still am working on the right combo to keep my feet from going numb at mile 5 and my calves feel like branding irons are on them no matter how well i stretch for the first few miles. At least my body isn't doing to me what it did as a kid which is make me so violently sick after a mile that I get the dry heaves. Thank goodness for small miracles. The right combination on the shoes is out there ... I just have to find it. Wow that sounds like a really bad DnD quest. Yes young halfling you must find the "Comfy Shoes for Long Treks "
My body still has a soft layer of fat covering the muscle that I know is underneath there. This too will go away ...slowly. The other thing I am noticing is that I smell during my workouts ....whether this is due to old fat being burned away I don't know but prior to this training thing I would sweat and puff and huff ..but I really didn't stink to high heaven when I exerted myself. Thank goodness for portable body spray. I also get really tired after a good work out and i have to eat carbs to restore my blood sugar balance. Yeah the first time I didn't follow this rule was after my second day of 5K on the treadmill...I was freezing, hot and shaking with a headache all at the same time I thought I was getting the flu. Drink a bit of orange juice and I'm good as new LOL.
I firmly believe that if I keep this up I will be able to hop into a bikini for the first time in 15 years.
I am so thrilled that my Bliss Girl suggested doing this marathon.... it gave me a goal to kick me in the keaster for getting back to a healthy lifestyle. Overall I feel better and I can feel myself getting stronger and that is a good thing.
I walk a lot a work usually a total of around 3-5 miles a day and adding another bit on top of that at the gym has really seemed to increase my stamina.
Advantages of the gym for marathon training are the following (as i see it) :
I get a fairly accurate count of the actual distance I am covering.
I get an accurate time count without interrupting the flow of the workout to unlock my phone to check the time
I have a variety of aerobic activity to complement the cross training i need to do - stair climbers, recumbent bikes, elliptical, treadmills.
I can make up my own version of circuit training via the weight machines that are steps away from the aerobic stuff.
I can plug the phone in for music, watch tv or prop a book up on the machine while i work out ..this lessens the chances of me pooping out due to boredom.
I truly am sweating due to exertion and not due to the G-damn humidity outside.
Also at the gym if I happen to be stricken with a double calf cramp (which mine are prone to do in the first mile and a half of a run) there is someone there to help me hobble to my car .
Enough about that ...how I am feeling ... I am pushing myself pretty hard but I also am doing it the smart way and avoiding injury. I do not subscribe to the NO pain NO gain theory. Sister if it hurts for too long I'm changing it up.
I have found that even with new shoes, orthotics and ankle supports I still am working on the right combo to keep my feet from going numb at mile 5 and my calves feel like branding irons are on them no matter how well i stretch for the first few miles. At least my body isn't doing to me what it did as a kid which is make me so violently sick after a mile that I get the dry heaves. Thank goodness for small miracles. The right combination on the shoes is out there ... I just have to find it. Wow that sounds like a really bad DnD quest. Yes young halfling you must find the "Comfy Shoes for Long Treks "
My body still has a soft layer of fat covering the muscle that I know is underneath there. This too will go away ...slowly. The other thing I am noticing is that I smell during my workouts ....whether this is due to old fat being burned away I don't know but prior to this training thing I would sweat and puff and huff ..but I really didn't stink to high heaven when I exerted myself. Thank goodness for portable body spray. I also get really tired after a good work out and i have to eat carbs to restore my blood sugar balance. Yeah the first time I didn't follow this rule was after my second day of 5K on the treadmill...I was freezing, hot and shaking with a headache all at the same time I thought I was getting the flu. Drink a bit of orange juice and I'm good as new LOL.
I firmly believe that if I keep this up I will be able to hop into a bikini for the first time in 15 years.
I am so thrilled that my Bliss Girl suggested doing this marathon.... it gave me a goal to kick me in the keaster for getting back to a healthy lifestyle. Overall I feel better and I can feel myself getting stronger and that is a good thing.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
In the spirit of TAO
I attended my first day of class last Monday and lo and behold my second favorite TAO showed up. It certainly was a blast from the past. J is an interesting character. I'll call him Jamie for the purposes of anonimity. Jamie who manages to not only irritate me but also my near and dear friend Steve (which takes quite a lot of work because he's a pretty tolerant guy). Jamie has been in and out of classes with me for the past four years of my two year program.
He's a tall, lanky guy who saunters in wearing a faded and holey "I am root " t-shirt (for you non geeks out there root = all powerful ). This shirt is complemented by his two sizes two big baggy jeans and his Shaggy from Scooby Doo beard type thing on his angular face. He always talks fast. So fast that you have to really pay attention to actually hear every word. It's like he's in a race to out talk you before you have a chance to get a word in edgewise. He looks like a meth addict or an auto-body shop reject because his fingers are permanently grimy.
Our instructor ... is more than a match for him with his verbal judo skills so I'm not too worried when the lecture starts. I am more worried about how much lecture I will get to hear since Jamie spotted me and oriented himself in front of me in the crowded classroom.
Jamie knows everything, has done it better, smarter, faster or more dangerously than you have. Our instructor is outlining what we will be doing in class "We will be utilizing network protocol analyzers to see if we can observe and capture packets thereby obtaining information to prevent someone from accessing our network." The non geek version of that sentence loosely translates to" we're gonna stick this program on your computer that grabs what you send out over the internet. we're gonna sort through it to find out jucy bits of information."
Jamie turns around and launches into a conversation about how they make these new wireless access points that are dual configured. One side is to be for a public wifi (say like at Panera Bread) and one side set to private (like you lived in an apartment above your Panera Bread franchise). Then he blathers on about how you can take that and use a program called Hakkey (sp I haven't checked this out) and reprogram both sides of this device and make a wireless tap and see everything on the network once you get it physically in range of our fake Panera's network.
I can see the two guys that sit next to me. Their eyes glaze over and they furtively glance around him desperately trying to hear Pope's assessment of the rest of the course matrix. I smile and nod and he shuts up.
We get a bit of a break to do some review questions out of our first chapter. Jamie turns around to ask me about how I am and to further entertain me. "Man it's good to be back. I got so bored in the auto-body program. It was just too easy to fix stuff. " I smiled .. this guy drives a rusted out 1979 brown and tan Chevy pickup with a dent in the door. He keeps talking not letting me acknowledge his last statement . I keep writing I've already done these questions but it makes me look busy. " So how's Scuba ? he asks raising an eyebrow "You all still hangin' out all the time? before I can answer him he adds "Yeah I miss him working for me here. I still have his number in my phone I really need to get a hold of ole' Scuba."
Inside I laugh and think I bet he wishes you'd lose his number ... Jamie held no position of responsibility and he got fired from the job. I only manage to get in a "Yep we talk all the time." before Jamie launched into another series of prattling about how he is going to buy a house and how he can get a loan from a bank without having a credit check. He doesn't shut up the rest of the hour making comments about how he's done everything on the course matrix and so this should be easy. He also gives me unsolicited advice on how to get a boyfriend by finding a guy and feeding him.
I smile this should at the very least be entertaining... I think.
He's a tall, lanky guy who saunters in wearing a faded and holey "I am root " t-shirt (for you non geeks out there root = all powerful ). This shirt is complemented by his two sizes two big baggy jeans and his Shaggy from Scooby Doo beard type thing on his angular face. He always talks fast. So fast that you have to really pay attention to actually hear every word. It's like he's in a race to out talk you before you have a chance to get a word in edgewise. He looks like a meth addict or an auto-body shop reject because his fingers are permanently grimy.
Our instructor ... is more than a match for him with his verbal judo skills so I'm not too worried when the lecture starts. I am more worried about how much lecture I will get to hear since Jamie spotted me and oriented himself in front of me in the crowded classroom.
Jamie knows everything, has done it better, smarter, faster or more dangerously than you have. Our instructor is outlining what we will be doing in class "We will be utilizing network protocol analyzers to see if we can observe and capture packets thereby obtaining information to prevent someone from accessing our network." The non geek version of that sentence loosely translates to" we're gonna stick this program on your computer that grabs what you send out over the internet. we're gonna sort through it to find out jucy bits of information."
Jamie turns around and launches into a conversation about how they make these new wireless access points that are dual configured. One side is to be for a public wifi (say like at Panera Bread) and one side set to private (like you lived in an apartment above your Panera Bread franchise). Then he blathers on about how you can take that and use a program called Hakkey (sp I haven't checked this out) and reprogram both sides of this device and make a wireless tap and see everything on the network once you get it physically in range of our fake Panera's network.
I can see the two guys that sit next to me. Their eyes glaze over and they furtively glance around him desperately trying to hear Pope's assessment of the rest of the course matrix. I smile and nod and he shuts up.
We get a bit of a break to do some review questions out of our first chapter. Jamie turns around to ask me about how I am and to further entertain me. "Man it's good to be back. I got so bored in the auto-body program. It was just too easy to fix stuff. " I smiled .. this guy drives a rusted out 1979 brown and tan Chevy pickup with a dent in the door. He keeps talking not letting me acknowledge his last statement . I keep writing I've already done these questions but it makes me look busy. " So how's Scuba ? he asks raising an eyebrow "You all still hangin' out all the time? before I can answer him he adds "Yeah I miss him working for me here. I still have his number in my phone I really need to get a hold of ole' Scuba."
Inside I laugh and think I bet he wishes you'd lose his number ... Jamie held no position of responsibility and he got fired from the job. I only manage to get in a "Yep we talk all the time." before Jamie launched into another series of prattling about how he is going to buy a house and how he can get a loan from a bank without having a credit check. He doesn't shut up the rest of the hour making comments about how he's done everything on the course matrix and so this should be easy. He also gives me unsolicited advice on how to get a boyfriend by finding a guy and feeding him.
I smile this should at the very least be entertaining... I think.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
China Blue and the time warp
Last night I went to the Roadhouse (yeah I know that could be a Jim Morrison song line ripoff) to see my friends Chris Hill, Craig Hill , Steve Mason and Clark Carter play for a reunited band show to benefit another mutual acquaintance Jeff Carlson who is having some medical issues.
Hoping to introduce my gang of new friends to part of my past and some kick ass rock n' roll I began to gather up a group to head out to the show.
Three of us arrived at the beginning of the evening and I happily introduced Amanda and Krista to the band and some of the old crowd of folks I used to run with back in the early 90's. I think Kat put it the best when she said "Good Grief do you know EVERYONE in here?" . In all seriousness I only knew half the bar. I never realized before last night how many people I do know !
I realized that our crowd had definitely settled down ... and I mean settled. Pictures of families were being flashed around and hardly anyone were pounding down the booze like they used to. We all seemed to have suffered a bit of "middle aged spread".
I in my teal sequined top was the shiniest person there ...at least until the skinny girl in the backless copper shiny top arrived. Since she was skinnier than me and could pull it off I quietly slid into second place on the shiniest. Well after all I did show up to be noticed.
As I scanned the room I ascertained that me and my girls were definitely the hottest in the room.
After getting my greetings from all the guys in the band I didn't need to worry about how I would be received. Rick Bean my ex's old roommate spotted me and charismatically swept in to greet me. He as usual was dressed to the nines in a trendy shirt with skulls on it. I almost asked him if he still shopped out of the International Male catalog but didn't. To give you an idea about Rick he is the eternal bachelor. This guy once wore a completly (and I stress COMPLETLY) platinum colored suit to a New Year's Eve party.Rick made the rounds telling everyone that I had arrived. So one by one the old crowd trickled over or acknowledged me with waves and nods.
Steve was behind his drum kit testing out mics and his face lit up when I approached the stage "Hey you came ! " "Like I would miss this " I bantered back. It was hard to believe how much time had passed since I first met him in 1989. Chris was bustling around being nervous as he usally is before a show worrying about how he would sound. He chatted with me about how I had been since I last saw him. Craig gathered me into a hug and was fussing about how they would probably suck after only having had two rehersals and the rest of theguys were chatting and tuning and chatting. I giggled and reassured them that if they were as good as they used to be it would sound great.
We headed to the back to take a seat. I knew that the way the sound was sitting up front we would be blasted out of our chairs.
After a late start they cranked up the smoke machine and darkened the stage. The lights came on in a blaze as they rocketed into their set. I had to hand it to the guys even in a small club they always tried to replicate a big rock show as much as they could. They played alot of their old set ...the heavier part. Thin Lizzy 78' Jailbreak, Alice in Chains, The Cult, Judas Priest , Black Sabbath ala Ronnie James Dio, Phil Collins. Chris did "Shadows " and I was so proud that he nailed the high note in the song everytime. I remembered listening to him practice that over and over because it was so hard to sing. They also added "Heaven's Trail " by Tesla to the set. I was nostalgic for some of my favorites that got left out ... Journey, Kiss, Kings X but what I got satisfied my rock n roll craving for awhile.
I saw Bobby Hoskins and found out he went to high school with Terrie's husband. That was funny small world this is. The summation is No I haven't slept with him, he was the drummer for one of Chris and Craig's other bands Ceremony and while a good friend he wasn't my type.
The night with its lights and smoke machine transported me back to the old days. Chris' husky voice floating out over the crowd. Craig in his bass playing crouch , Steve muttering to himself on the drums to keep perfect time and Clark ...well Clark became a tall guitar god his fingers dancing over the frets perfectly. He definitely had improved over time.
My stomach did happy little flip flops with every song I knew and I couldn't stop my body from moving.
I went up on Nazereth's "Soulshaker" to dance with Amanda to try to get some of the old spark started after Chris' calls to "get up and dance". Chris and Steve shot me a smile and a nod as I tried to lead the parade. In the old days all the girls would gather at the front to gyrate wildly to the music. This time it was like their asses were superglued to the chairs. It was my first break into current reality. After the song we trailed back to our seats where Rick hugged me and congratulated me on having the guts to get up and dance. I wasn't drunk enough to do it again.
Around 11:30 Amanda, Krista , Terrie and her hubby all decided that the night had been late enough for them and headed for home. Kat was on her way by that point so I milled around the crowd and talked to my old bridesmaid Stacey Bach. I almost didn't recognize her husband Jim but after I got past the headband he was wearing I realized he was looking REALLY OLD.
My ex showed up looking really rough or as Kat put it "Fugly" I snickered at that and we had a nice discussion about following hearts over logic. I didn't look at him the rest of the evening. Kat told me later that he couldn't stop staring at me. It was nice that I didn't notice that I was too engrossed in the music and having a good time. He did swoop over out of the darkness and say Hi its nice to see you before continuing on to sit with his old FB Kelly Carpenter.
I continued to stare at the stage dazzled by their stage presence . Chris standing on tables , doing his "crucifixtion" pose , roaming around the crowd and brandishing the mic stand like an ancient warrior's weapon. Kat's wide eyes and comments were just too funny she said "I feel like I'm in a time warp. What is with all the 80's clothes?" I chuckled Kat I laughed you have to remember that the average age of this crowd is over 36. In fact at 36 I was probably one of the youngest in there ...well at least except for the waitresses in their hotpants and assless chaps.
Too soon the music stopped and the buzz of the sound system faced into the background and we were all exposed in the harsh light of the house lights. We had arrived back in the present . The guys would be going back to their new seperate projects and I would be going back to my new reality . I exchanged last "goodbyes and nice to see you's " before walking out the door into the cool night air. You really can never go back....but it certaintly was a helluva shot at it.
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