George Harrison My Sweet Lord - Another Great Song

This is my favorite song from George Harrison's CD " All Things Must Pass".  Ken likes all the songs on this CD.  It really had a profound effect on him when he was younger.  One of his favorites other than this one is " Isn't it a pity".

Spring Is Here - Everything Is Covered In Yellow Dust

 Ken and I went for a walk in the neighborhood today.  Everything is blooming now and the yellow pollen is everywhere.  I used my asthma inhaler before I even left the house and was glad I did.  This neighborhood is really lovely this time of year even with all the pollen.  I was suppose to run with the Running Nazi this morning, but I had to cancel because I was up all night with a sinus headache and sore throat probably from sucking all that pollen into my lungs.  A little Advil,  puff of Ibuterol and Claritin and I'm all better now.  I will drug up again tomorrow and run before I take The Boy to get his hair cut.

Tonight Ken was all about the documentary on George Harrison.  He did the whole meditation thing back when he was a teen.  Right now we are listening at high volume to George Harrison's CD "All Things Must Pass".   I think I'll go meditate now.

On The Lap

Whenever my laptop computer isn't on my lap, Cadence is.  And sometimes he and my computer are jockeying for position.  Cadence almost always wins.  Look at that face!

Serenity Now

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

 courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

It's spring break for The Boy this week and he's home from college and in desperate need of a hair cut, among other things.  Today was his six month dental checkup which is something he doesn't look forward to at all.  In fact, I didn't bother to schedule his hair cut appointment on the same day as his dental appointment because one "traumatic" event is enough for one day.   When we got to the dentist office he had this wild, unbrushed hair look.  He kind of resembled the way Albert Einstein looks on the poster he has hanging in his dorm room.  Maybe there's some Einstein channeling going on here.  I wonder what would happen if I hang a Justin Bieber poster in his dorm.  Would The Boy's hair get nicer?

I am so ready for the day when he willingly goes to the dentist all by himself.  He's 19 years old now and can drive himself, but there's no way he will go by himself.  As a matter of fact, every time we go, not only do I have to bribe him to get in the car and drive him there, but I also have to go in the room with him while he gets his teeth cleaned.  I've tried sitting in the reception area when the hygienist calls him back, but he looks at me and refuses to get up.  Today the same thing happened.  The hygienist calls The Boy back, The Boy looks at me, I reassuringly tell him to go on back, that I would wait right there for him, the hygienist asks him "are you ready?", The Boy ignores her and continues to stare at me, finally I give in and get up and head to the door, The Boy follows me and we all go back to the torture chamber.

Once at the torture chamber door, I stop and tell The Boy I will stand right outside and wait for him.  He doesn't believe me and refuses to go inside.  One of the other hygienist sees what's going on and tells me I can sit in the chair inside the room if I want,  so I go inside and sit down.  The Boy tentatively follows.  At least he opens his mouth for them now.  Once upon a time, getting The Boy to open his mouth at the dentist was next to impossible.  Almost as impossible as getting him to brush his teeth everyday.  I had nightmares of his teeth rotting out, but he's lucky he has good teeth and almost no cavities.

Another thing on the agenda today was getting auto insurance quotes for The Boy's car that has been sitting in the driveway for months with a dead battery.  He'll need to drive it this summer when he gets a job.  Unfortunately, it doesn't have insurance and he doesn't want to pay for the insurance.  When he found out how much it will cost per month for him to insure it he said it wasn't even worth getting a job if half of his money is going to pay for insurance.  Welcome to the real world.

And if that's not enough, I noticed today that The Boy has a hold on his college account because he has a $20 parking ticket from last semester when he was driving one of Ken's cars to school.   A ticket, The Boy says he doesn't owe and has tried to dispute with the school.  Then he goes into another tirade about the situation.  We all agree that if he feels he doesn't owe the ticket (because he did have a pass that was clearly visible on his windshield) then he should dispute it.  If however, he can't get them to take the hold off his account and drop the ticket, then he's going to have to pay the $20 or he won't be able to get his transcript.  He didn't see it that way.  Ken stepped in at that point and told him to go read the Serenity prayer - 

                       God grant me the serenity  to accept the things I cannot change;
                                            courage to change the things I can;
                                            and wisdom to know the difference.

Good advise for anybody to live by.  Maybe it will help stop the smoke coming out of The Boy's ears.  He didn't have any cavities today, but I wonder about his blood pressure.  Just like on the episode of my favorite sit com "Seinfeld" -  every time his blood pressure goes up, just yell, "Serenity Now!"  It works for me.

Circumcision And Other Fun Stuff

A couple of years ago, when The Boy was still in high school, he suddenly became "slightly" upset that his dad and I had had him circumcised when he was an infant.  He became rather obsessed with this topic for months and very angry at us (mainly me) for having the procedure performed against his consent.  How can you get consent from a slightly jaundiced infant who only sleeps, eats, and poops?  This came rather out of the blue and took me by surprise.  I wondered if this was just another of his "special interests" that have come and gone throughout the years due to his Asperger's.  I'm not a psychologist so I don't know how these things work.

Where I was pregnant with The Boy, circumcision was just one of those things that you did after you had a boy.  Everybody, as far as I knew,  had it done.  My brothers, cousins, ex husband (The Boy's dad) had all gone through the procedure immediately after birth and we really didn't even consider any other option.  Since The Boy's dad is Jewish, the only options that were considered was whether or not we were having the circumcision performed at the hospital by the doctor or at home by the rabbi.

 I was at a loss for words when The Boy came home from school everyday and launched into an angry tirade of how I had violated his rights, how he wanted to reverse the circumcision and how he was going to sue me for what I had done to him.  It was very annoying night after night, listening to him and like it or not, there was nothing I could do now.  Too late.  My only defense was that right after he was born, I had heart failure and was put on life support for a brief time.  It was during that time that he had the circumcision and I was fighting for my life and never signed any consent for it.  (That one was on his dad for sure!)

The one time I wasn't annoyed and actually felt bad for The Boy, I entertained the idea that maybe he could get the procedure reversed, especially if it was going to cause some deep psychological scars.  After all, didn't that teacher on South Park grow a whole new penis on a lab rat?  If an entire penis can be grown, why can't a mere fore skin?  I told The Boy I would call my plastic surgeon.

Miraculously, one day The Boy stopped obsessing about it.  I didn't have to do anything, including calling the psychologist.  There was once again peace in the house at dinner time.  It was wonderful!  I can't tell you how sick to death Ken and I were of those circumcision rants.

Then I read an article today about how circumcision might protect against prostate cancer.  I thought I would forward it to The Boy just so he would see what a great decision his parents made by having him circumcised as an infant.  I KNOW!  Stupid thing to do!!  Parents NEVER make good decisions.
This is the link I sent The Boy:  http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/12/10651806-circumcision-linked-to-lower-prostate-cancer-risk

The Boy sent me this link in response:  http://negativeninetythousand.blogspot.com/2010/12/fact-anal-sex-reduces-risk-of-prostate.html
As well as a warning that for every argument I can come up with, he can come up with at least three counters.

Cute, huh?  Guess he'll have plenty of time coming up with all those counter arguments as he's doing his own laundry.

Riding Bikes

It was such a nice day today that I decided to ride my bike for the first time since October.  I still had my race number on my helmet from Santa Rosa Island triathlon, my tires were flat and needed some air and my chain was all rusty and still is rusty.  All my bike gear was scattered around in various places and I almost forgot my bike shoes because for some reason they were in my swim bag.

I actually found all kinds of things in my swim bag that I have been missing including a pink compression sleeve, a heart rate monitor and a some various clothing items.  It feels like I have all new stuff now.  This stuff's been "missing" since last Fall.

Ken rode the bike he bought last summer for the first time and he did really well once he figured out how to work the gears.  I wasn't much help because I have a tri bike and the gears are much easier to use, the shifters just go up or down.  His road bike gear shifters go up, down and sideways.  It's been a long time since I've ridden a road bike.  Ken did really great especially since he hasn't been doing much cardio, only strength training.  It was great not only getting some exercise, but also getting outside on a beautiful, sunny day.

The Catbird Seat

Since it was warm enough outside to open the windows today, Ed and Boo had the perfect spot to keep an eye on the bird feeders and get some fresh air .  Ken calls this the catbird seat.  Unfortunately, Cadence was bumped from his favorite spot again and wasn't very happy.

Tonight Phantom claimed the catbird seat.  The birds have gone to bed, but it's still a nice place to get some fresh air.

Where's Cadence?

Phantom kept going after the other cats today so I took him out into the backyard to "play"in hopes that he would use some of that stalker energy directed at bugs or something other than my other poor cats.

Cadence wasn't very happy that I didn't let him go outside too.  He watched out the window as Phantom explored the area.  They are both indoor cats and I really didn't feel like chasing both of them around the yard and I don't want Cadence to get use to going outside.

 I wasn't trying to play favorites or be mean to poor Cadence, but I don't think he understood.  Phantom didn't want to come back inside and when I finally managed to get him in the door, the first thing he did was go after Ed.  My strategy didn't work.  Time out for Phantom.

Very Bad Cat!

Was that a bird?

Poor Cadence!

The Case Of The Missing Flash Drive

A couple of weeks after The Boy started second semester, he asked me to bring him a few things he had forgotten at the house.   They were things that were for his computer, one was a flash drive, some miscellaneous stuff and an obscure computer thing that I can't even remember what it was called, but I do remember that it took me forever to find it.   I didn't know exactly what I was looking for so he described this obscure thing to me.  I found a few things that I thought might be it and sent him pictures of them on skype.   I think I must have sent him a dozen pictures of different hardware looking computer items.  I had no idea what they were.  I managed to find everything but the flash drive.  Now I know what a flash drive looks like so that wasn't the problem.  I've even used flash drives before many times.  The Boy sent me a picture of exactly what the flash drive looked like anyway,  just in case I didn't know.

The Boy told me the flash drive should be on the night table table next to his bed.  I looked and it wasn't there.  I looked around his bed, under his bed, even a little in the bed itself, but didn't find it.  I also thought The Boy might be confused as to where he used it last so I looked on his desk and around other areas of his room.  I did find a flash drive, but it wasn't the one he wanted.  The flash drive was just missing in action.   I finally gave up looking for it and had forgotten all about it until today.

The Boy is coming home over spring break next week so I decided it's time to start cleaning down in his room.  I have avoided the area since January so it was about time.   I washed his sheets and pillow cases and as I was pulling them out of the dryer today guess what I found in the bottom of the dryer?  You got it...  the MIA flash drive.  I guess it somehow jumped off The Boy's night table and into his bed and has been hiding in the sheets for the last couple of months.  It's now all clean and dry.  I skyped The Boy and broke the news to him.  The good news is he has clean sheets when he gets home, the bad news is his flash drive had a bath.  I'm not really sure exactly what he had saved on there (even if he told me I probably wouldn't understand) and I asked him if he thought it would still work.  So far, he hasn't responded except for a "grrrrrrrrrr" and a :o (surprise face).

Dancing In The Streets - French Quarter

We were walking in the French Quarter in New Orleans the other night and came across this band playing in a street corner.  Watch as the cars are trying to avoid the street dancing lady.  You never know what you might find in the French Quarter.  One thing I didn't get this time were the beignets at Cafe Du Monde.  I was all set to get them this morning before we headed home, but I was a little ill from all the celebrating last night and not eating anything.  Dumb, I know.

After running 26.2 miles you really need something to eat other than what I had - a power bar, 4 Gu, gatoraid (before and during race) and frozen yogurt, a handful of mixed nuts and a diet coke (after the race).  I really never ever do that.  I usually eat way too much after a race, but I wasn't hungry and didn't know what I wanted to eat so I just didn't eat.  I really shouldn't have had those margaritas on an empty stomach last night either.....

Sunset over Lake Pontchartrain

Band in French Quarter

Rock and Roll New Orleans Marathon

I just finished running in the Rock and Roll New Orleans marathon, formerly called the Mardi Gras Marathon.  This is one marathon I have wanted to do for a number of years, but just haven't for some reason.  I think one of the main reasons was that it use to fall on the same weekend as the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, Al and I usually either do the Mercedes whole or half since it's in my hometown.  I love Pensacola, FL, but I have to say that the New Orleans Marathon is far superior to Pensacola or Mercedes.  It's flat!  No hills, and yes, there are hills in Pensacola.  More than just the two I was told there were.  The entire first part of the course in Pensacola was a slow, steady, calf burning climb along Scenic Highway.  Beauful, but not good for the calves.  Mercedes has hills, but the most deadly ones are no longer part of the course.  I think my calves are happier with a flatter course like New Orleans.  Besides, it is such a beautful, historic city.

The New Orleans marathon was moved to March, which made it perfectly fit in with my marathon training.  I was able to do the Mercedes half (I added 7 miles at the end to do a 20 miler) and then taper for this race.  My goal time was 4 hours 15 minutes and I was very, very close.  I am also now a firm believer in compression socks.  I wore my new Run Love compression socks (the white ones since I still haven't received the pink ones) and my calves are not sore at all.  The rest of my entire body is toast, including not only my quads and hamstrings, but also my back, abs, and lungs.  My calves feel fantastic!  Thank god for compression.  Maybe I wouldn't be sore at all if I had worn a complete compression suit.  (do they even make those?) I'm just joking, of course,  I have compression tights and don't like them much.  I wore them in the half marathon a few weeks ago and they didn't help my calves at all.

pre race potty stop

There were 22,000 runners today, but Ken managed to find me twice on the course and then at the finish while I was stumbling around a little dazed.  I didn't think I was ever going to find him and the security guard was making me go through the gate out of the finisher area into the huge mass of people on the other side of the fence.  He barely made it in time to see me finish because the cab driver that took him to City Park where the finish line was, let him off about 4 miles away (he says 4, probably more like 1 :)) and then he had to figure out how to walk to the finish area.  I was so happy to see him and to be finished!  

After the race we headed over to Pinkberry Yogurt because I was having a craving.  We were lucky enough to have one right near the hotel.  I got the original flavor with granola, yogurt chips and blackberries.   It's my new favorite yogurt.  Yum!

Then it was advil, shower and a nap since I didn't sleep at all last night in anticipation for the race today.

Now I have run a marathon in five states - Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Massachusetts (Boston -Yea!)  Now I only have 45 more states to go....

Me and the Running Nazi pre race

More Race Photos

Ellis Marsalis - Snug Harbor

Last night Ken and I saw Ellis Marsalis play at Snug Harbor jazz bistro in the New Orleans French Quarter.  Ken is an avid jazz fan and while I love music of all kinds,  I am sort of a newbie to any jazz that hasn't been mainstreamed.   It was a coincidence that we had tickets to see his son Wynton Marsalis in Birmingham Friday night, but couldn't make it because my marathon is this weekend.  Instead, we were able to see another Marsalis.  I have to say it was my favorite performance that Ken has dragged me to so far.  Amazing!  While photos and videos weren't allowed in the restaurant, I found this video on You tube.  

Rain Boots And Rolling Bags

Yesterday was another rain boot weather kind of day.  Ken says I will use any excuse to wear my Michael Kors rain boots.  Maybe, but I would rather not have the bad storms and tornadoes that came through Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio yesterday.  It was awful and I feel terrible for all the people who lost everything, entire towns destroyed.  It's so scary this weather lately.  Luckily, we were at the Florida coast which was south of where the worst storms passed through so all we got was some rain showers.  The clouds were still low and we were in the fog for another day.  Very strange.

The very large rolling bag I'm pulling is my awesome toiletry/cosmetic bag.  I purchased it several years ago when I got the "Accredited Staging Professional" certification when I first became a Realtor.  It was meant to hold things like cleaning supplies, furniture moving equipment, picture hangers, and other assorted tools to help in staging houses and getting them ready for sale.  The bag has been sitting in my garage ever since the real estate market took a nose dive.  Now I am happy to put it to another use.  It has all these great compartments, big ones and small ones and rolls right into the condo or hotel and into the bathroom where all my toiletry products and cosmetics are easily accessible.  I am not sure it would hold up to air travel, but it's great for road trips.

Juicy Couture Cover Up

Bebe Dress

Michael Kors Rainboots -similar here

Louis Vuitton Sunglasses

Shit Cyclists Say

In The Fog

It's been so foggy all day today.  Usually it's foggy in the morning, but will burn off when the sun comes up.  Not today.  It was foggy this morning until around noon, then it cleared up for about 30 minutes and now it's foggier than ever.  This is the view off the balcony.  It's so bad now you can't even see the houses down below or the other buildings.  Kind of cool, but creepy too.  Today it's not just my head that's in the fog.

Last night the Murph and I went to Peg Leg Pete's and had raw oysters.  The Murph ate most of them because I am only good for about three. They always start off tasting good, but after about two oysters, the texture starts getting to me and I can't really swallow them very well.  That's why I rarely eat more than two or three raw oysters.  I can eat dozens of baked or steamed ones though.  Yum!

This sticker was over the bar at Peg Leg Petes.  I liked it.  Just a reminder for the smarty pants non-blondes out there.

More fog pictures....  This was when you could still see things a bit.