Chipmunks, Death & Presents

This morning, while opening the blinds, I watched the cat chase something in the bushes. She looked up at me as to say, "Hi! Look at what I am doing!" And then, all of a sudden, she pounced deeper into the terrain and pushed out what I thought was a bird. It ran along the wall and up towards the porch with the cat following it. I went to the back door to see if the bird got away when I saw the cat coming up the steps... with a chipmunk in her mouth. I rushed over and closed the screen door - - I really did not want another dead chipmunk in the house - - and screamed for the boyfriend. There was an emergency and I really needed him to come downstairs IMMEDIATELY. He came down, sans clothes (it gets hot here at night), and sleepily stumbled to the back door. He's like, "The cat better not be doing something cute and that's why you woke me." Just as he said that, she turned her head towards us and displayed her kill - still in her mouth. The boyfriend chuckled, "Good girl, now you're mama's going to clean it up." No way. I did it once when he was bed ridden, that was more than enough. I don't do dead things. She eventually dropped the chipmunk and the boyfriend was able to pick it up to throw it away. Poor Alvin. Afterward, we thanked the cat for her present, as the polite thing to do, and went to make the coffee. What a start to the day.

September Slump

I don't know what it is about this week but I have not wanted to go jogging. I have the time and the energy, plus the weather is perfect, but I just don't have the passion. I think it's because I've developed a new habit - - coffee and cop shows. In the past, I wake up, am thirsty, slap on some running gear, grab a couple of glasses of water, and then head out the door for a jog. Recently, however, I wake up, am thirsty, grab a couple of cups of coffee, and sit in front of the tele scanning USA for whatever cop show they're playing. Today it was Monk. Yesterday, it was Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Both are pleasing. By doing this, I end up sitting in front of the t.v. for two hours rather than working out and/or studying for the GRE's. Sometimes, I fold laundry or run the Roomba so I can feel mildly productive but the rest of the time, I just work on getting the sleep out of my eyes. Why is that bad habits are so easy to make while good ones are so tuff? If we're really created in God's image, he's one lazy SOB.

Holy Trinity

I haven't decided whether I will run the 5k this weekend at the zoo since my usual running mate still has a bum leg. However, I am very excited to be running the Women's Classic 5K September 17th with two of my work buddies (one being my boss). Jen is incredibly in shape and Liza is more my speed (attempting to get in shape). Jen suggests we walk the race but I want to run it! Run run run! And with the three of us, maybe we can go at a faster pace than what I did the half marathon. After all, it's only three miles. See you at the finish line!

Army of Me

I finally got around to watching the Stephen Colbert episodes when he went to Iraq to support the troops. I have to say, these videos remind me of someone... I am not sure who but that person might be the author of this blog... The part where he attempts to go over the wall and the way he runs is pretty much me. Now, I am not IN basic training but I am trying to live my life in a similar manner... somehow his joke is my reality (and I totally have that iPod hat).

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Stephen Strong: Army of Me - Basic Training Pt. 2
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Save The Drama For Your Mama

My parental units were in town this weekend for their thirtieth wedding anniversary and my cousin's wedding in NYC. While they were here, I didn't do much jogging but somehow I still feel fit and trim. I think it has to do with all the prep work before and after the wedding. Since the boyfriend broke his leg, I'm the one that carries the luggage and the massive Williams & Sonoma gift around Manhattan, the one that cleans the house for parental inspection, and the one that picks up all the dry cleaning. The up and down with the luggage - on the bus, off the bus, onto the elevator, off the elevator - the in and out with the recycling - the clinging boxes full of bottles down one, two, three, four, five steps and then back up one, two, three, four, five steps for the next load - really toned my arms and legs. I even lost and inch or two around the waist from my sister's wedding as I wore some of the same outfits but they were much looser than what they were back in May. Since things have calmed down, however, I have returned to my regular jogging schedule. I'm losing a lot of water weight with this heat... the air is so thick you can cut it with a knife. And of course, there's still the putting away of dishes, the folding of clothes, and the cleaning of the bathroom that the boyfriend can't complete. I feel like this toned arms and legs thing will be around for a little while.

The Hamster Wheel

What is it about human nature that makes us ok with the status quo? I have been trying desperately to better myself without making any real effort. I mean, I am "looking" for full time positions, "studying" for the GRE's, and "training" for a marathon but not really spending a sincere amount of time on any of these. In fact, all I really seem to be doing is talking about it. The bottom line is that I am happy with the way things are: part time at the shoe store, part time at the ad agency, and full time mooch. I started watching How I Met Your Mother because of the way they portrayed unemployment; Marshall stopped wearing pants and played video games all day while Robyn made beer floats. When asked how her job search was going, she would remark tartly with, "Didn't you hear? I'm the lead anchor on CNN." Unfortunately, both these characters went on to gainful employment and the show stopped being relatable (that's not true -I still think it's legend-wait for it-dary). I just don't see why I can't have the motivation like the cavemen did when it came to the invention of fire. You think someone said, "Hey, Grog, stop playing with those sparks from the sticks and rocks. Our pelts are just fine." No chance. We need the fire like we need the wheel but do we need the full time employment? Maybe one day but today, I am happy running my mile and wearing my new Shuze shoes.

That A Girl!

Yesterday I really, really did not want to go for a jog. The night before I did it Sally Fields style and got white wine drunk. Apparently I am a little out of practice and jibber jabbered the entire night. I couldn't hold my liquor - but it was holding me. Clearly, when I woke up the next morning, I wasn't in tip top shape. BUT I did attempt to jog - I slapped on my sneakers, wiped the sleep out of my eyes, and headed for the door. As soon as I stepped out into the not so fresh air (this humidity is GROSS), I decided not to jog but rather go for a very, very long walk. And I did. It felt nice, I still worked up a sweat, and I didn't leave my tennis shoes feeling neglected.