Cross Country state finals

Saturday will be a busy one for me. I will be photographing the Michigan Cross Country State Finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. I will be shooting the Division 3 and Division 4 boys and girls races. Three boys qualified individually in Division 2, but there is a two hour gap in between the last race of the morning until their race. Sadly, I will be missing their race. Sorry. So many teams and individuals from the county qualified in the Division 3/4 races. I will have to be on the lookout for all of them. And I will be able to pick them out with no problems.

Besides photographing a cross country state final (which is awesome to begin with) I will be seeing some great runners. Between the years of 2004-2006, I saw Marissa Treece from Maple City Glen Lake jump out to an early lead each time and hold it to become a 3-time Division 4 State Champion. Marissa is currently a junior at the University of Notre Dame. She is consistently one of their top runners. Two years ago, I saw Maverick Darling from Ovid-Elsie High School blow away the competition. He had the fastest 5K time of the day, 14:52:8. Maverick now runs at the University of Wisconsin and was just named the 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. It is fun to see the top runners before they make it big in college.

Another thing I love about shooting at the state final is riding on the track. The state final takes place at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. The photographers ride in media vans and they shuttle us to a couple of locations on the course. We make a total of four stops. To reach the fourth stop, the finish line, the driver of the van has to drive on the track. Once we leave mile mark 2 and the accerlator is stomped on. We follow a path that leads us to a gate opening near turn 2 and we make a left hand turn onto the track. The van does about 80 m.p.h. going around turn 2 and turn 1 to make sure we beat the runners back to the finish line. That is the closest I'll ever get to driving on a NASCAR race track and it is pretty neat. It is one of the highlights on my day.

Ann Arbor

My husband and I will be traveling north to Ann Arbor in a couple of hours. We live about 40 minutes south and we rarely go to there. If we want to go shopping, we always drive down to Toledo, Ohio. I guess it is because we know that city better and where all of our favorite stores are located.

The last time I drove to Ann Arbor, not for work purposes, was in 2006. I met Stacy, author of Jurgen Nation, and we went on a photo trip together. We picked a couple of locations around the city and photographed anything that we saw. I was sad when she moved to California. I lost my photo buddy.

I have been wanting to go back to Ann Arbor to shoot, but haven't had the time. Today is not one of those days. The whole reason we are taking the trip is so my husband can try to sell some of his grandfather's records. Once the records are taken care of, then we will grab some lunch. Before we leave Ann Arbor, I hope to go by The Big House.


Photo from Ann Arbor 2006:

Pink - Adrian, MI

Miles run in 2009

I have beaten last year's mileage. And I still have two months left this year. Last year my total mileage for the year was 960.2. With Sunday's 5 mile run, my total is 979.4. I am very happy. My goal for this year was to reach 1000 miles. I can safely say that I will meet that and pass it. Earlier this year, I didn't think I would reach it. With plantar fasciitis behind me, I can now say how hard that injury was for me. There were days when my heel hurt so much that I didn't want to run. But I did. And I continue to do so.

2004: 244.5
2005: 299.2
2006: 408.8
2007: 825.8
2008: 475.3
2009: 979.4

Books read in 2009

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer
The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat, Bob Woodward
Case Closed, Gerald Posner
All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (again)
The Final Days, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Twilight, Stephenie Meyer
New Moon, Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer
Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer
I Was Amelia Earhart, Jane Mendelsohn

Currently Reading: Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
Up Next: Amelia Earhart: The Final Story, Vincent V. Loomis

Yellow - Adrian, MI

Final resting place?

I read an interesting article from the Discovery Channel that says Amelia Earhart's final resting place believed to be found.

I am just a nerd when it comes to information like this. The article says that it is most likely that Fred Noonan and Earhart died on an uninhabited tropical island in the western Pacific Ocean. Read the full article from the Discovery Channel.

Random things

I have a really busy week. This week is boys soccer regionals, first round of football playoffs, cross country regionals and volleyball games. What I'm really looking forward to photographing is the cross country regionals Saturday. A county team is hosting Division 2 and Division 4 boys and girls races. There will be four races all together. Only the top 15 individuals and top 3 overall teams in each division advance to run in the state meet November 7.

Today would have been the day my husband and I boarded a plane to Japan for two weeks. I'm still a little bummed about our trip being canceled. It was canceled due to the H1N1 virus. The people that planned our trip were really concerned about the spread of it (back then it was still only in the US and Mexico). Now H1N1 is all over the world. As I was getting out of my car this morning at the public library, I saw the mayor of the city. We exchanged greetings and said today would have been the first day of our trip to Japan. He said that there will be an opportunity to do the trip again in two years. Hopefully when that time comes around I will have the time and money to go.

As I mentioned before I stopped at the library. I picked up four books. That should give me a couple of weeks of entertainment.

The ING New York City Marathon is Sunday morning at 9 a.m. I will be watching it live on my computer. Universal Sports will be streaming it live. Their coverage is very good. Can't wait to see Paula Radcliffe and Ryan Hall run.

Amelia

This morning I read the reviews for the movie Amelia. I was disheartened with what I read. Almost all of them said the movie was boring. I was debating on whether to see it today or wait for the DVD. It was only when I saw Roger Ebert's review from the Chicago Sun-Times, I knew I was going to see it.

I too, like Roger I'm drawn to every piece of information about solving her disappearance. I am also drawn to her life. I have read many books about her and just can't get enough. A strong, independent woman. I know that there weren't too many woman like that back in the 1930s.

I drove 40 minutes to see this movie. The local movie theater didn't have it. They did bring out Saw 6 and Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. Movies I don't think I will see. I mentioned before that I have read many books about her life. I didn't mind that they skipped over her childhood. It was in her childhood that she discovered her love of flying. I thought the movie picked up on the important moments of her life: first woman passenger to fly across the Atlantic, being the first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic, marrying George Putnam and her final flight around the world. The movie had newsreels and paper clippings about other accomplishments in her life. If they started out in childhood and tried to fit all her accomplishments in the movie could have been four or more hours.

There is a scene at the end of the movie where Amelia was unable to receive voice transmissions, is running out of gas and can't find Howland Island. Hillary Swank, who I thought did a brilliant job of playing Amelia, is getting so frustrated about the radio, looking at an endless sea, starts tearing up. In that one moment, I could feel her uncertainty. I thought it was acted great.

I know many won't agree with me, but I didn't find it boring. I really enjoyed it.

Amelia official trailer:

Books read in 2009

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer
The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat, Bob Woodward
Case Closed, Gerald Posner
All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (again)
The Final Days, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Twilight, Stephenie Meyer
New Moon, Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer
Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer

Currently Reading:
Up Next: Library trip

Busy day

I already wish that I could skip over most of Wednesday. My day is filled with so many activities.

I will be going into work in the morning as usual. I will leave mid-morning and go home to my carpets and furniture being cleaned by professionals. Besides having wet carpets and no cushy furniture to sit on in the middle of all of that I will be making lunch. We are scheduled to have tacos. Yum.

At 1 p.m., I need to be sitting at my computer. I have to participate in some online training for work. Besides being online, I will have to call an 800 to listen to it as well. I don't know how long this training will last but I know that will wipe out any chance to take a nap Wednesday afternoon. GRRRRR!

Around 3:30 p.m. whether the online training is done or not, I need to log off and get ready to photograph a district semifinal soccer match. The drive time varies depending on how much traffic there is or how slow people want to drive. I think my day will end around 6:30 or 7 p.m.

I really wanted to run on Wednesday. Probably after my game I won't have the motivation to really do anything. My run will have to wait until Thursday. Boo.

Half marathon

I did it! Half marathon #2 is in the books for me. My official time for the 32nd Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Half Marathon was 2:47:39. It was 13 minutes faster then my time from 2008. In 2008, I walked during the race due to an ankle injury. This year I ran the entire way. I didn't feel any pain from my plantar fasciitis. It was only around mile 10-11 that I thought about how my good my heel felt. Some trouble spots for me were the inclines on the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor tunnel and miles 9-11. There were times I felt like walking but I knew I had to keep going if I wanted to improve my time.

Some random things from the half marathon:

All of the Porta-potties I used were clean except for the last one. I used one about an hour before starting. I never seen one so dirty. Urine was all over the seat and floor of the Porta-potty. It was the nastiest thing ever. I did try to clean it up so I could use it. All I can say is thank goodness for Purell Hand Sanitizer. I carried a bottle in my pocket and it came in handy a lot that morning.

The temperature at the start of the race was 28 degrees. I wore a short and long sleeve dri-fit shirt, shorts and ear warmers. I was thankful that I brought a sweatshirt and garbage bag to dump before starting the race. My fingers were numb for the first mile.

Before getting on the Ambassador Bridge, two people that I went to high school with found me to say hello. I thought it was neat that out of 19,000 runners, I happen to see two that I know. Last year I didn't see anyone I knew.

We were supposed to have run by the Red Dawn set. I looked for it and missed it. I did see some Soviet tanks used for the movie on the people mover back to the hotel.

Sadly three male runners died during the marathon. They died in a span of 16 minutes according the Detroit Free Press.

It was a great day to run. The early morning was a bit cold but it turned out to an awesome day for runners. Next year I will be signing up to run my third half marathon. The 2010 Detroit Free Press half marathon is October 17.

Random things

I photographed a soccer game Thursday in the rain. There was a bonus to the rain. It was also very cold and windy. I was holding an umbrella while taking photos. It was difficult to balance the umbrella. I had the umbrella resting on my right shoulder, had my right arm wrapped around the handle and holding my camera while tilting my head to the right to keep my umbrella from flying away in the wind. It worked but it is was a pain in the butt.

After the game I went to Subway to grab some dinner. Waiting in line a woman was on the phone talking to her man. She was asking he what kind of sub he wanted, veggies and dressings. She had her phone on loud speaker so everyone in the store could hear. What really bothered me was there is a sign posted on the glass where you order saying, paraphrasing: "Please reframe from using your phone while ordering." I guess she couldn't read. Couldn't she have made that phone call from the car? Before walking in, call your man and ask what he wants to eat. Sorry, I don't want to hear your phone conversation. I'm sure the employees don't want to hear it either.

Winter has hit the area. The local TV weatherman says that the temperatures outside are usually what we see in November/December. The good thing is Sunday will start a warming trend. Sunday is a good day for it to start.

Around 6 a.m. Sunday morning, I will be standing on the streets of Detroit with many other runners. We will be getting ready to run the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon and Half Marathon. I'm so worried that it will be really cold that early in the morning. I'm also wondering what I should wear. I don't want to wear too much or I'll get hot. I also don't want to wear too little because I will be freezing and don't want to get sick. Last year I saw many people wearing garbage bags to keep warm. I will be one of those people this year. Instead of wearing bulking items, I hope my garbage bags keep me warm until the start. I'm sure when I pack, I will be taking all of the running clothes that I own. Just to be safe.

Old North Church - Boston, MA

The Human Race

On Saturday, October 24, I will be running a race. A virtual race. I will be participating in the Nike+ Human Race 10K along with many others around the world.

The great thing about this race is I can run the 10K anywhere and at any time I want. The bad part about the race is I don't own a Nike+ product. I won't be able to sync my 10K or time to the Nike member page. That one little thing will not stop me from participating. I will load my time to dailymile where no syncing of any kind is needed.

Join me and others on October 24 and run The Nike+ Human Race 10K.

Photo Credit: Nike

Marching - Boston, MA

Colonel Shaw & 54th Massachusetts Colored Reginemnt Memorial across the street from the Massachusetts State House.

Morning shadows - Boston, MA

Books read in 2009

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer
The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat, Bob Woodward
Case Closed, Gerald Posner
All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (again)
The Final Days, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Twilight, Stephenie Meyer
New Moon, Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer

Currently Reading: Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer
Up Next: Library trip

Miles run in 2009

I will be doing my last long run before my half marathon this afternoon. My half marathon training program calls for 10 miles. And that is what I will be doing today. This week also begins my tapering. I'm not too thrilled about that. This week in accordance with my training program, I will run six days as I am now. Next week will be different. I'm scheduled to have three days off. I don't remember the last time I took three days off. (Just looked it up, I took four days off the week of October 13-19, 2008. That was the week of my first half marathon.) Even though I will feel lost without running, I know it will do me some good to have those off days. I'm really looking forward to next weekend. My training has been going well and I'm ready to run the half.

2004: 228.0
2005: 270.2
2006: 372.6
2007: 394.0
2008: 767.5
2009: 877.8

Flowers - Boston, MA

Reflection on a kick plate - Boston, MA

Noisy people

Across the street from my house are two houses that have been broken up into apartments. The apartments are a constant revolving door. Every six months to a year new people are moving in and out.

All summer long I listened to the kids who live in the house on the right running, screaming, yelling and slamming their door past 9:30 a.m. To easily drown out the noise, I would turn on the air conditioning. Problem solved. In the last month, I been sleeping with the windows open to draw in the fresh air. The kids and adults that live in the apartment have kept down the noise after 9 p.m. The kids have to go to bed to get ready for school the next morning.

The apartment house on the left is a something new. The people who live there moved in probably a month or two ago. The last people to live there were really quiet and stayed inside. The new tenants like to sit on their front porch and talk.

Before I get back to the main story: It is no secret that I take sleep aides every Sunday through Thursday night to help me get to sleep faster. I wake up every weekday at 4 a.m. to be at work at 4:30 a.m. Those sleep aides are better then the NyQuil that I was taking to help knock me out.

Sometime last week I took my sleep aide and went to bed. I had fallen asleep when I was awaken by the neighbors. A man and woman were sitting on the front porch talking. Their voices carried into my bedroom and woke me up. It sounded like they were sitting right next to me. I heard every word. That forced me to get out of bed and slam my windows shut. I was not happy.

The other night I was already in bed sleeping when I heard the sound of a guitar. The man was playing a guitar and singing on his front porch. That really made me mad. It was past 10:30 p.m. and this guy was having a private concert on his porch. I got out of bed and yelled "Take your ******* guitar inside!" and slammed my windows shut. I don't know if they heard me or not. But I didn't care. I wanted to sleep.

I don't know if these people have jobs or not. They never sit on the porch during the day. They always come out to the porch at night. I swear they are doing it on purpose. When I pass their apartment in the morning I really want to honk my horn repeatedly to get back at them. I don't because I don't want to wake up my other neighbors. I guess I will have to put up with it until it gets too cold for them to sit outside. GRRRR!

General Hooker - Boston, MA

Books read in 2009

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Door 36 - Boston, MA

Miles run in 2009

Only more 24 days until my half marathon in Detroit. My goal is to finish in less then three hours. At this time last year I twisted my left ankle really bad. I took a day or two off and went back to training. That decision wasn't the smartest one I have made. But I had to do it. This year I have avoided an ankle injury (knock on wood) but not so lucky dealing with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fasciitis is hurting less and less each day. For that I'm thankful. I want to run this half marathon and see what I can actually do without major injuries.

2004: 216.5
2005: 245.3
2006: 354
2007: 410.1
2008: 727.5
2009: 817.7

Books read in 2009

I finished reading The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe by J. Randy Taraborrelli about 10 minutes before leaving for the airport Monday morning. I started reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer Tuesday after running in morning. I would read for 45 minutes to an hour. I finished the book on the airplane on the return flight home. I started reading New Moon Sunday. I'm already read 150 pages. I hope to be done with it by the end of this week. I never thought this before buying the books, but I am really enjoying the story.

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer
The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat, Bob Woodward
Case Closed, Gerald Posner
All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (again)
The Final Days, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Twilight, Stephenie Meyer

Currently Reading: New Moon, Stephenie Meyer
Up Next: Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer

Last week in Boston

I had a wonderful time in Boston with my husband. We walked, rode the subway, buses & trolley and climbed a bunch of stairs. We saw much of what Boston has to offer.

Every morning I woke up at 4:30 a.m. (except for Monday, 4 a.m.) to get ready to run on the hotel's treadmill. I didn't want to run outside because I didn't know the area too well and it was pitch back out. I was always the first person in the fitness center. The treadmill's were nice. They each had their own TVs and the fitness center had a huge big screen. It kept me company when I was all alone in the fitness center.

My husband and I ate at places everyday that were not in our hometown. That was easy because there isn't much choice of restaurants around here. We had steak, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, burgers and my husband had seafood. All of the meals were good except for one lunch. We weren't too thrilled with the service and our fries were lukewarm.

The weather was nice except for two days. I believe it was Wednesday and Thursday when the temperatures barely made it out of the high 50s. I couldn't believe how many Bostonians were walking around in T-shirts and shorts. I was freezing. I had to buy a knit hat because my ears were so cold. The knit hat has a Boston Red Sox logo on it. I'm not really a fan of baseball, but I enjoy watching the Detroit Tigers every now and again. When I bought the hat, the vendor asked if I was a fan of the Red Sox. I said no. What I was thinking was I was a fan of knit hats.

My favorite part of Boston is Beacon Hill. So much history and beautiful buildings in that neighborhood. On our photo walk tour, our guide Saba took us to John Kerry's house. It was big. But for him, I expected bigger. If you go to Boston I recommend the Photo Walk tours. Very informative.

I can't post an overview of Boston without a photo. Here is one from Beacon Hill.

Underneath - New York, NY

View from Manhattan Bridge - New York, NY

149 - New York, NY

Tower - New York, NY

In love - New York, NY

Windows and bricks - New York, NY

The Statue of Liberty - New York, NY

Red Door - Brooklyn, NY

Miles run in 2009

Next week I will be on vacation. My plan is to wake up early in the morning and get in a run. The hotel we're staying at has a fitness facility. If I do run, which I probably will, it won't be longer then 3 or 4 miles. Don't need to make my legs super tired because my husband and I will be walking a lot.

I will be doing my long run of the week later this afternoon. I plan on running over 10 miles. I haven't decided how long yet. It will be decided when I'm running.

2004: 210
2005: 238.6
2006: 333.7
2007: 382
2008: 702.4
2009: 759.7

Books read in 2009

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer
The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat, Bob Woodward
Case Closed, Gerald Posner
All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (again)
The Final Days, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein

Currently Reading: The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Up Next: Twilight, Stephenie Meyer

Weekend update

I felt really bad for Greg Paulus Saturday. He threw an interception in OT during the Syracuse/Minnesota game. With that turnover, Minnesota got the ball into field goal territory and made the kick to win the game 23-20. Paulus played great the entire game except that one mistake to cost Syracuse the game. He finished 19 of 31 for 167 yards and threw for one touchdown. Paulus has been away from football for four years. He will continue to learn as he goes. I hope he has a great season.

How about those Wolverines? I watched the replay of the game on ESPNU yesterday. I was impressed with true freshman QB Tate Forcier. He can really throw the ball well. It was nice to see Michigan actually get into the end zone. We rarely saw that last season. The other true freshman quarterback Denard Robinson had a nice rushing touchdown in the first half. Michigan please leave Nick Sheridan where he belongs, on the sideline. Forcier and Robinson are better then Sheridan and should play the most.

When I was still going to physical therapy, my therapist told me I should have two pairs of shoes. It has been probably a month but I finally listened to her advice. Over the weekend, I bought myself a new pair. They are exactly the same brand and make as the pair that I wear now. I like them so much that I got another pair. The only things that are different is the color and that they are men's shoes. They fit my foot so well.

My husband and I will be in Boston in a week. I'm looking forward to seeing the sites and celebrating our eighth wedding anniversary.

Photo Credits: Syracuse University, MGoBlue.com and Eastbay

College football

I'm very excited about the start of the college football season. Michigan Wolverines face Western Michigan University Broncos later today at 3:30 p.m. For Michigan players and fans, last year's season was so awful. Some games I couldn't even sit through all of it. I'm so used to Michigan begin a good team. Hopefully UM can finally turn it around this year and have a better season. I'm not saying that they have to be undefeated. I just want them to win more then three games.

Another game that I plan to watch today is Minnesota vs Syracuse. Usually I could care less about these two teams, but this season is different. My favorite college basketball player from Duke, Greg Paulus, was named the starting quarterback for Syracuse. Paulus hasn't played football in four years but lead his high school team to a state championship and was named Gatorade national player of the year. I heard an interview on ESPN about Paulus. He was recruited nationally by many teams. He could have played quarterback at any school, but he decided to play basketball at Duke. I hope he has a good game.

Chairs - New York, NY

Half marathon fun run

I had a big running day. I decided to run a half marathon at my house today. It went pretty well. It took place on my treadmill in my basement. A lot of runners I know hate the treadmill. I don't. If I plan a long run, everything I need right beside me. I have my GU, Gatorade, water and TV. If I have to use the bathroom, it is a floor away. The Food Network and US Open Tennis tournament entertained me for two and half hours.

My half marathon in Detroit is 46 days away. I wanted to try 13.1 miles before the big day to see if running the entire way would be something I can achieve. I think it is something that I will be able to do. My run today took 2 hours and 31 minutes.

I had a good pace going but after I hit 10 miles my legs started to die. My legs weren't feeling too hot during yesterday's 5 mile run, so I was pleased that I made it deep into my run before I had to slow down. The last 3.1 miles I had to slow my pace down. I was so close to the end that I didn't want to give up. I kept going and eventually finished. I was happy that I stuck with it. I like hitting my goals for the day. When I cross the finish line in October, I hope to break last year's time of three hours.

Chrysler Building - New York, NY

Miles run in 2009

For the last month I have been running 30 miles a week. I also run six days a week now. It all started on an off day. I was going to take the day off from running but decided to run anyway. I really don't mind running an extra day. I think it will help me get ready for my half marathon.

I've been loosely following a half marathon training guide and have been doing a long run once a week. Even though it takes me a while, I'm beginning to enjoy them. Last week I ran 12 miles. It took me almost two hours and fifteen minutes. I was really pleased that I could run that long. At 6 miles I took a short break to stretch and take some GU, then it was right back to running. My long run will be Tuesday or Wednesday this week. The plan is to run 12 miles. But I may just add the extra 1.1 miles to see how I will feel afterwards.

2004: 205.5
2005: 232.9
2006: 325.9
2007: 364
2008: 683.3
2009: 717.6

Books read in 2009

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer
The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat, Bob Woodward
Case Closed, Gerald Posner
All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (again)

Currently Reading: The Final Days, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
Up Next: Library trip

This week

This week I have been busy with work. The fall sports season is in full swing now.

Monday and Tuesday I photographed soccer games. Before the soccer game Tuesday, I had to photograph a school's team photo day. The assignment was dumped on me after the start time was pushed back by an hour. There was 3.5 hours of work that I wasn't expecting and it messed up my plans for the afternoon. It made me miss my nap. Boo.

Wednesday I went to another school to photograph the cross country team. They had their formal team photo last week, but we weren't told. I found out Saturday at the cross country meet that I missed it. After finishing with the team, I went home and ran 12 miles. It took me 2:13:28. It felt like an eternity. But the one good thing about it, I really wasn't sore afterwords. Not like last year when I did my half marathon. I was in so much pain and it hurt to walk.

I was able to take a breather today. No games for me to photograph. After work I watched Top Chef. I'm really sick of reality shows doing battle of the sexes. Yawn. I was hoping the Michigan chef would go farther into the competition. But she didn't. It didn't seem like she knew what she was doing. Oh well. For lunch I made spaghetti and garlic toast. It was yummy. Unlike Tuesday, I did take a wonderful nap today. After my nap, I ran 4 miles. My legs weren't too pleased. They were still tired from the 12 mile run.

Tomorrow is the first high school football game of the season. I hope the game that I will be photographing will be good. There is nothing worse then awful football. These two teams have been playing each other for five years or so. The games are always close and are determined by five points or less. On a different topic, I can't believe this is my 10th year of photographing football. I have been around for a while.

After the football game, my work week will be over. I really look forward to sleeping in Saturday morning and watching my Netflix rentals.

Nail - Adrian, MI

The calm before the storm

This week I have been busy at work. Myself and the other photographers I work with have been going to many media days at local high schools. Media day is team photo day. This is where the sports teams gets their photos taken by portrait photographers. I'm there to take the players head shots or as we call them mug shots. It is not fun work. I photograph the athletes two by two. I hand them a notebook and a marker and ask them to write their first and last name across the page. Many do not understand the request. I get so many questions. Will the paper be in the picture? When are these going in the paper? What is this for? After an hour or two all of the players and teams are photographed.

Usually when we start photographing media days. That means that the upcoming season is right around the corner. Saturday starts the fall sports season for me. In the morning I will be photographing the county cross country preview meet. I will see four races total, girls/boys freshman-sophomore race and girls/boys junior-senior race. It should be a nice morning for the kids to run. The race will be held on a brand new course as well. I'm excited to see how the returning runners will do.

Today is really my last day to relax before the upcoming sports seasons start. I know that I will not have another Friday off until football season is over. Which is November. Then the process starts all over again with the winter sports season.

Books read in 2009

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Miles run in 2009

Today I ran my longest ever: 11 miles. I'm doing all of the hard work well before my upcoming half marathon. Last year I twisted my ankle a month before the race. During the race I had to walk some because my ankle was killing me. This year my goal is to run the half marathon the entire way. For the last couple of weeks I have been doing my long run on Mondays because that is how my schedule has worked out. In the coming weeks that will change. Next week, I want to try to run 12. After that I will probably decrease it again. I was real thrilled with my run today and it went well. I hope my half marathon will go that well in two months.

2004: 200.5
2005: 225.3
2006: 313.9
2007: 337.9
2008: 643.2
2009: 667.6

August 15

John Wayne Clark

April 10, 1942 - August 15, 1998

Eleven years ago, my father, John, passed away suddenly at the age of 56. It was very devastating to me and my family. All of our lives changed in that one instant. Not a day goes by without me thinking about him. He is gone, but not forgotten.

Boston

Our final plans are coming together. My husband booked our flight and hotel this afternoon. In a few short weeks we will be going to Boston.

I've never been there, so there will be many things to see and do. Besides seeing the many great things in this city, our hotel has fitness center and an indoor pool. My only request for a hotel was it had to have a fitness center. I need to continue training for my half marathon. My goal is to run early in the morning. I hope to have my run done anywhere between 6-8 a.m. When I get back to the room that will give me enough time to ice, stretch and shower before waking my husband up for the day.

It should be a fun trip. Can't wait.

Photo Credit: Wallpaper Me

More random things

I'm very jealous of my husband. He is off of work until next Wednesday. I really want to be back on vacation. I will be soon. In about another five weeks.

Over the weekend I had a new drink. While my husband and I were grocery shopping Saturday, I spotted Smirnoff Strawberry Acai. I wanted to try some, but I didn't want to purchase an entire six pack. What if I didn't like it? We went to a liquor store in town and the best I could find was a 40 ounce bottle. I bought it. I twisted off the cap later that night. The drink was gone in less then 15 minutes. It was so good! I think Smirnoff Strawberry Acai is now my favorite flavor. Sorry Smirnoff Wild Grape.

Before all of my long runs this week, I have been eating, drinking, ingesting GU energy gels. I have been trying different flavors to see which ones I like. So far I'm a fan of Tri-Berry, Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Outrage. I have noticed that when I have a GU my energy level is a bit higher near the end of my runs. Anything to keep me going longer is good.

The IAAF World Championships for track and field start Saturday. For the next week I will be glued to my TV watching as much track as I possibly can. I already have every live event set to record on my DVR. I'm so happy that three different channels will have live coverage. Can't watch enough track.

Random things

I was on vacation last week and I had a total of nine days off. It was awesome. It was nice not having a schedule to follow. I loved going to bed late and getting up late. Sitting around in a pajamas until 9 a.m., watching movies, reading and running. I finished a book and started another. I watched a couple of movies and I ran six days for a total of 30 miles. That was a first for me. I have never run 30 miles in a week before. I only did that because I need to train for my upcoming half marathon. Which is rapidly approaching. The race is in two months and seven days.

I read in the Detroit Free Press, that the marathon/half marathon route will take us right by the set for the 2010 movie Red Dawn. The set will be at Michigan and Griswold or at mile 12.3. Should be interesting to see a movie set on the run.

Last week I neglected my camera. I didn't pick it up. We didn't go out and find things to shoot. I know I should have went out and photographed on my own, but I really didn't feel like it. Am I a bad photographer or what? To make up for the fact that I didn't touch my camera in a week, I picked up a couple of goodies. I bought two 8GB San Disk Compact Flash cards. I put one in my camera today. With the settings I have on my camera it holds 2100 photos. That is great. I don't think I would ever fill up my card, but its nice to have.

I didn't enjoy getting up for work this morning. I woke up a half hour before my alarm went off. So there was no way I could possibly fall back asleep. I think I looked at the clock every five minutes. I finally got up around 4 a.m.

After work I went to physical therapy. I asked when I was supposed to be reassessed. They wondered why. I told them that my foot doctor said that I was to continue therapy until I was reassessed again. After that happens, I will be done. I told C and K, my therapists, and they were disappointed. They really don't want to let me go yet. My foot is much better, but I still have pain in my heel. I think my heel is around 90%. That is still not 100%.

I want to say thank you to AMC. I ran 10 miles on my treadmill today and watched two episodes of Mad Men. AMC had a Mad Men Season Two marathon on today. I was glad that I didn't have to fumble with the remote looking for things to watch. Mad Men kept me entertained for almost two hours. Mad Men Season Three premieres Sunday and I'm so excited. We the fans have been waiting for a year for this show to come back. I know it won't disappoint.

Books read in 2009

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer
The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat, Bob Woodward

Currently Reading: Case Closed, Gerald Posner
Up Next: All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (again)

Random things

I met with my friends from college Wednesday night. We talked, laughed and enjoyed a nice dinner together. The last time all of us were together was probably five years ago. We promised not to let another five years go by before getting together again.

At physical therapy this morning I had many different assistants helping me. Seems like every time I would do any exercise, they would have to go help someone else. I was doing many of my stretches alone this morning. One of my therapists, C, came over to demonstrate a new exercise for me. Then she passed me off to another therapist. As C was walking away I said that she was the fourth person to ditch me today. We both laughed.

After therapy I had a foot doctor appointment. Usually there is a longer wait. So I took a book with me. I waited about 10-15 minutes then an assistant called my name, Deloris, so I closed my book and started walking back. An older lady stood up as well and started walking back too. The assistant turned around and saw two people following her. She then said Deloris? And the older lady in front of me thought it was her. Finally the assistant pointed to me and the older lady sat down. When the assistant took me to a room, I asked her if her name was Deloris as well. Later she told me it was. I'm sure the spelling wasn't the same but I have never been in a room with another Deloris. Funky.

The foot doctor came in and asked how my foot was doing. I said it was doing much better. I mentioned that after Wednesday's run my heel really hurt. He asked if I was doing my stretches. I said I was. He asked if I still iced. I said no. He told me to ice after running. He then asked if I was done with physical therapy. I said I was just there this morning. He told me that I was done. I told him that I haven't be reassessed yet. He said to continue therapy until they reassess. After I had my ultrasound on my foot I went to the receptionist to make my co-pay. She said that I was basically done seeing the doctor unless there is a problem. I was happy to hear that. Its only been 7 months seeing the foot doctor regularly.

I'm a little sad about leaving physical therapy. I probably only have another week or two left. My physical therapists C and K have been very helpful. It is through them and the other assistants that I'm able to walk and run without pain. They have been working me hard for the last two months to get me back running the way I was before plantar fasciitis. When my time at therapy is over I will miss talking and laughing with them.

I've been on vacation this past week. I have enjoyed it. I didn't go anywhere but I did get to sleep in, read, run and nap when I wanted to. I dropped off a library book Thursday and picked up more. I finished reading The Secret Man by Bob Woodward in a day. I finished the book just before midnight Thursday night. I have five days this week. Which is unusual. I usually only run five days a week total. Today's run makes it seven days straight. I will take Saturday off from running. I will be running as usual Sunday. My plan is to run four miles. If I do, that will put me at 30 miles for the week. Awesome.

I'm so not looking forward to Monday. The first day back from vacation is the worst. Besides my regular work I have to check files and fix anything that went wrong. Just fixing and checking files takes a couple of hours. I know some of my co-workers will be glad that I'm back.

Books read in 2009

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer

Currently Reading:
Up Next: Library trip

Just like college times

I will be having a girls night with two friends from college later tonight. We became friends during our freshman year. All of us were art majors. They both attended my wedding. I was the photographer at one wedding and a bridesmaid at another. We've kept in contact with each other by email over time. It has probably been a couple of years since I saw them face to face. It will be nice getting together with them tonight.

Miles run in 2009

It has taken a while but after today's run I will have caught up and passed last year's mileage. Finally! Since I've gotten plantar fasciitis back in January, a bunch of my workouts have been stuck at a certain mileage. I was told by the foot doctor that I could increase my mileage near the end of June. Recently I have been taking advantage of that. My half marathon is in 2 months and 18 days. I need to continue training for that. I already have my long run of the week finished. I ran 9 miles Monday. My longest run of the year so far. Next week I hope to get through 10 miles.

2004: 181.9
2005: 218.5
2006: 295.9
2007: 309.6
2008: 605.2
2009: 604.6

Weekend update

Over the weekend I ran in a local 5K. The race was run by some running friends of mine. After the inaugural race last year I opened my goody bag to look at my t-shirt. The shirt that was given to me was a size smaller then I requested. This year I was determined to get the size that I requested.

I stood in line to pick up my race packet. I heard the volunteers tell everyone to try on their shirts. There was a problem in ordering and they are running small. When it was my turn, I told them my last name and received my bag. I pulled out the dri-fit shirt and looked at the size. It was a small. I asked for an XL. A men's XL. If you don't know, I have a large chest. One of race organizers was standing next to me when I looked at my shirt. I asked why a small was put into my bag. They thought that I wanted a women's XL and that a small would fit me. I laughed. I told her that I needed a XL because of my big chest. I was given an XL, I tried it on. It was still a bit snug. I asked for an XXL but they just ran out. They were right, the dri-fit shirts were running extremely small.

As for the race, I did really well. I crossed my first mile in 10:49, the second in 21: something and I finished in 33:59. This was the first time I finished in less then 34 minutes. The sad thing about the race was a fast race walker beat me. The same race walker beat me last year too. Oh well, she also beat a bunch of other runners as well.