This is not good

When I read the story about a herpes outbreak among Minnesota wrestlers, it made me gag.

"Minnesota State High School League banned competitions and direct contact between wrestlers in practice until Feb. 6 after 24 cases of herpes gladiatorum were reported by 10 teams. The virus is spread by skin-to-skin contact, and symptoms include lesions on the face, head and neck."

Read the entire MSNBC story.

Snow

Since Saturday, Michigan, at least where I live, has received an accumlation of snow. This is the first real snow that we have seen in a while and I think people forgot how to drive.

I have seen while driving:

-Cars that were stopped at a red light proceeding into the intersection to run the light because no oncoming cars were in sight.

-People driving too fast and very, very, very slow for conditions. Sunday afternoon I was behind a lady driving 30 mph in flurries on roads that were just wet.

-Cars cutting off semi trucks on slick roads to merge in their lane.

-People only pulling their vehicle halfway in the turn lane. Today I saw two people pull half of their truck into the turn lane and leaving the ass of their truck in traffic. Motorists behind them had to weave around or stop and wait for the idiots to turn.

Weekend Update

This past Friday I was getting ready to run on my treadmill. While stretching my legs, I heard a popping sound coming from the area around my right knee. I thought didn't think the sound was good. I stood up and everything seemed to be alright.

I ran 2 miles because I had to get ready for work soon after. During the run, my right leg/knee felt fine. After my run, I felt some discomfort in my right knee, but nothing too bad.

For work I had to photograph a boys varsity basketball game. Standing my leg was fine. As soon as I bent my knee, it was painful. I continued working and made a mental note to myself, not to bend my right knee as much. I thought if the pain didn't go away by Sunday night I would make a doctor's appointment.

I didn't run Saturday to give my leg a day off. On Sunday I needed to exercise. I thought that I could walk, but decided against it. If I walked I would be on the treadmill longer then I wanted to so I decided to run. I originally thought I would only go 2 miles, depending on my knee. But my knee felt fine during the run so I ran 3 miles. On the last lap with less then a .10 of a mile to go, my treadmill belt starts to slip. I grabbed onto the handrails to keep myself from being jerked off. I finished my run, but I was mad. It was only a couple months ago that the front rollers were replaced on the treadmill. Now it felt like the same problem as before. Which set of rollers needs to be replaced this time? I asked my husband to call the company to set up an appointment to have it looked at. I hope that the appointment is soon so I can avoid running outside in the snow.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret

Currently Reading: Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Up Next: Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson

Scenes from a basketball game

While covering a boys varsity basketball game last night, I saw the following:

- A male cheerleader. Which is rare in high school's around this area. When I was back in junior high, my high school had a male cheerleader. He helped the competitive cheer team win a state championship his senior year. The downside of this story, he got made fun of at every game.

- The same male cheerleader as above, working on his dance moves in between the JV and Varsity game. It looked like he was getting ready to be a backup dancer in a music video.

- A male student from the home school dressed as the mascot, did a cartwheel and went straight down into the splits.

- Not to be outdone, the same male cheerleader noted above from the visiting school, did back flips on the court during the next timeout.

- To end it all, right after the male cheerleader did his back flips, a former female gymnist from the home school came down from the bleachers and did back flips down the entire baseline of the basketball court.

Who knows if Battle Back flip continued in the second half. I left the game at halftime.

Weekend Update

Over the weekend, my husband went with me to a wedding expo. Granted that we have been married for almost 6 years, I wanted to go for different reasons: SCOUTING.

My husband wanted me to have a display at the expo, but I actually wanted to wait until I had more weddings photographed. With more weddings photographed, that means I will be able to provide more sample albums, AsukaBooks, picture frames and brochure information. So far I'm shooting five weddings this year, I know I will be ready for the expo next year.

While walking into the country club, I saw the first photographer's display. They had beautiful 20x24 prints hanging up in frames and sample albums. The thing I was really looking for was their price list. They didn't have a price list, only business cards.

The second photography display did have price lists and framed photos. I didn't take a brochure because during the county fair last summer, I already picked one up. As my husband and I were walking by the display to another room, we heard the photographer tell a potential client that the huge 20x24 print cost nine dollars to make. I don't know if I would be saying prices to anyone. But he can run his business the way he sees fit.

The third and final photography display was well thought out and put together. The photographer's work was great. They had sample storyboards, albums and a price list. My husband grabbed a price list. I was disappointed that they had little to offer couples. The photographers website was listed, when we got home I went online to look at the site. The site was under construction. If it was my site, I know I would have wanted it finished before the expo. Hopefully the site will be up and running soon.

Walking around at the expo, I kept my left hand in my coat pocket. I was wearing my wedding band and really didn't want people to see it. My husband and I bumped into someone he knew and he said, "Aren't you two already married?" My husband and I really didn't respond. Going by different booths, vendors were asking us what our wedding date was. That is a sign to keep walking.

After seeing what I wanted to see, we left. As my husband and I were walking out, we had our arms wrapped around each other. A man directing traffic said to us, "It looks like you two just got married." We smiled and I turned around and said, "Yeah. About six years ago."

I was disappointed in the lack of photography displays. I wanted to see how other photographers set up their booth. But seeing what they had gives me ideas of what to have on hand next year when I will be at the wedding expo.

Order up

Before heading home from work this evening, I made a call to a restaurant for a to-go order. I ordered nachos WITHOUT black beans and jalapenos The lady who took my order said it would be done in about 10 minutes.

I drove slowly to the restaurant and parked in the spots marked for take-out orders. I went to the bar and told the bartender that I had a pick-up order. About five minutes later, she said my order was almost done. In this span of time, a man to my right was trying to pick up a woman two seats away from him at the bar. She invited him to sit with her. Is this the beginning of a relationship or a one-night stand? Over to my left was two couples, both married. Wife number 1 introduces herself to Husband number 2 and asks what Wife number 2's name is. Husband number 2 is obvious drunk, he says Beyonce. OK. Wife number 2 says to Wife number 1, Rhonda. At this point the bartender brings my nachos. Before leaving the restaurent I saw the order ticket and it clearly stated that I didn't want black beans and jalapenos.

I got home and opened my to-go container, there were black beans and jalapenos all over my nachos. My order ticket clearly stated that I didn't want them. Can't people read? Oh well. Instead of wasting the black beans, they were picked off and saved for the dogs. The jalapenos went straight into the trash. Blitzkreig and Kelly enjoyed their black bean bedtime snack. It was gone within seconds of putting it into their bowls.

Too close

While walking into the bank to cash my check, I followed in two guys. The first guy in line was helped immediately, the second guy stood in line for the next available teller. The guy and me were the only ones in line. I stayed behind him a good two or three feet. I hate standing on top of people when there is plenty of room to spread out.

To speed up the process when I actually got to a teller window, I took my check out of the envelope to detach it from the check stub. When I finished, I put my envelope in my back pocket and that is when a line of people were approaching me. To get away from these people I stepped forward. When I did that, the woman who was behind me did as well. The woman behind me was now standing about two inches away from me. The guy who was ahead of me was called down to the next teller, I moved forward toward the end of the velvet rope and awaited the next teller. When moved up so did the woman behind me. I looked out of the corner of my eye and the woman was about two inches away from me.

I wanted to ask her, "Do you need to be standing so close to me?" But I didn't. I have noticed especially at church, I observe people because I arrive early, there will be plenty of open pews and people always sit in the same pew or right behind them. Why do they have to sit so close when there are plenty of seats? Are people that afraid to be by themselves?

Scenes from a basketball game

Last night, my assignment was to photograph a high school basketball game. After parking my car along side of the road, something caught my eye over by the gym. On the side of the gym, I saw two male students. It looked like they were talking, so I gathered up my equipment in my car. I looked back over to the students, one was gone and one was still at the side of the gym. The way he was standing, I knew exactly what he was doing. The student turned around and zipped up his pants. He was urinating on the side of the gym. If he really had to go that much he should have walked about 100 feet to his left. That would have led him to the outer door of the boy's locker room where there are toilets inside. Peeing on the side of a building is very classy.

During the JV game, a player from the visiting team grabbed a defensive rebound. All of his teammates and the opponents turned and ran down towards the other basket. Instead of following them, he shot the ball. This boy made a basket for the home team. The players from the home team sitting on the bench started laughing and thanking him for the basket. Shortly after a timeout was called. Anyone could see how embarrassed this kid was. He was standing on the court with his jersey over his head. I guess it is good that the visiting team was beat by 20 points. If they lost by 2 points, that probably would have made him feel worse.

Weekend Update

Over the weekend, my husband and I went to the movies to see The Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is about the start of the CIA. Matt Damon played the character Edward Wilson and his wife, Clover, is played by Angelina Jolie.

I thought the movie was OK. It started out as with Damon at Yale, then working for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, marrying Clover, having a son, then back to the present time of the 1960s. Throughout the movie, Damon doesn't age. He glasses switch to different frames a couple of times. But he had no graying hair or wrinkles. During the movie, at one point his son is young at a Christmas party. Next time you see the son, he looks about as old as Damon. I'm glad they addressed each other as father and son, because they could have been brothers.

While Damon is married to Jolie, Damon had an affair with a woman he dated in college. Jolie was sent an envelope of photos of Damon and this woman kissing in a cab and her apartment. Jolie gets mad, yells and throws the photos at Damon. I thought it was funny that she of all people got mad about the affair. I know she was playing a character in a movie, but didn't she break up a marriage?

Some people didn't enjoy the movie. Halfway through the movie, a couple sitting in the row ahead of us got up and walked out of the movie. About ten minutes later, a couple in the row behind us did the same. If they would have waited, they would have found out what the photos, video and recording that Damon's character was trying to figure out throughout the whole movie were. I guess some people aren't that patient.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III

Currently Reading: Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Up Next: Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward

Car wash

I filled up my car with gas after leaving work this morning. I was happy to see that gas was $1.95 a gallon. While inside the gas station, the attendant asked if I wanted to get my car washed today. I said no thank you and walked back out to my car. The skies were very dark and cloudy and there is a chance for more rain during the day. I wonder if she wouldn't have asked me if her boss wasn't standing near her? But I wouldn't have gotten a car wash anyway, tonight the forecast is calling for rain showers then it is turning into a nice snow and rain mixture.

Leaving the gas station it made me remember a time last fall I had my oil changed at a car dealership. When you get an oil change at this dealership, you have the choice of getting a free car wash. I pulled into the garage and gave the guy my keys. He asked if I wanted a free car wash. I said yes. He chuckled at me and told me my car would be done in a half hour. The reason he chuckled at me is because it was raining. Not just sprinkles. It was an all day downpour. He probably thought that was stupid. Who gets their car washed when it is raining out? My reason to get the car wash was because it was free.

Random things

While running three miles this afternoon, I developed a sharp stabbing pain in my lower back. If I was actually running outside and not on my treadmill, I know I would have stopped and walked home. That shows how big of a wimp I am. On another note, I'm doing well with my mileage already. Last week I ran 9 miles. Each week I want to try to run 10 miles. To make up for the fact that I ran only 9 miles, I'll run 11 miles this week to put myself at an even 20 miles run for the year on Sunday.

After my run and shower, I went to Maple City Gymnastics in Adrian for the third time in a week and a half to take more photos. I found out that at least the girls, there are three boys who attend the gym, work out three days a week for four hours. Then two days a week for two hours and that is volunteered time. These girls and boys are really dedicated at such a young age (ages 8-13). I have been posting photos over on my photo blog, DCO's Photo Gallery, if you would like to view them.

Lastly, I might be going to Japan this summer for two weeks. It is not set in stone yet. Once I know more, I'll let you know.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward

Currently Reading: House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Up Next: Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret

Weekend Update

My husband Mike and I had a wonderful time Friday evening.

- Before dinner, Mike bought himself a new gray suit at the Men's Warehouse with help from a coupon and a gift certificate. The pants that came with the suit needed to be altered. Usually the pants are left with the tailor to alter at another time, but it was a simple cuff, so the tailor sewed them that evening. While the tailor was altering the cuffs of my husbands pants, we were running late for our dinner reservation. The cuffs took about 10 minutes to sew and we left the store around 6:10 pm.

- Our reservation at Carson's Steakhouse in Sylvania, Ohio was made for 6 pm. We were 15 minutes late. Mike and I shared buttermilk spiced onion rings as an appetizer. It was YUM-O! We both ordered garden salads with our meal. Mike had a Delmonico steak and I had a New York Strip Steak. For dessert we shared a made to order Chocolate souffle. The meal and service was very good. I recommend this restaurant to everyone who loves great food.

- The Phantom of the Opera was great. It was our third time to see the show. About 98% of the people who attended Friday night's show dressed up. A guy a couple of rows ahead of us was wearing his best Budweiser hat. Classy. During Act II when the Phantom and Christine are underground in his layer, the sandman was starting to hit me. At this point I have been awake for 18 hours, that is a long day for me, and it was dark. My eyelids were growing heavy and I could feel my head bobbing. To keep myself awake, I was biting the inside of my mouth. I managed to stay awake for the rest of the show.

The evening was perfect, except for me almost falling asleep. Its nice every once and while to get dressed up, eat a fancy dinner and see a show with your husband on date night.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris

Currently Reading: All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
Up Next: House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III

The Music of the Night

One of my Christmas presents from my husband Mike was a pair of tickets. The pair of tickets will be used tonight to see The Phantom of the Opera at The Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio.

Mike and I saw The Phantom of the Opera for the first time about three to four years ago at The Stranahan Theater. We both enjoyed the show and wanted to see it again. Last year on Valentine's Day, Mike surprised me with tickets to Phantom at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit. We stayed overnight at a hotel and had a fabulous dinner at The Rattlesnake.

Before tonight's show, we are going to Carson's Steakhouse in Sylvania, OH. We have gone by this restaurant so many times while down in the Toledo area. I'm excited that we are finally going to eat there. To make sure we are not late for the theater, the reservations were made Thursday evening. The website has the menu online and I already looked at it. I think I will be getting the New York Strip Steak.

Besides, when I don't I get steak at a restaurant?

Make it stop

While at the New Year's Eve party, the TV was on. Some of the guys at the party asked who the person singing on the TV was. It was Fergie. She was on Dick Clark's Rocking Eve or something like that and singing "Fergalicious". I can't get that song out of my head. It has been three days! Please make it stop.

Is adding -licious to the end of words/names a new fad? If that is the case, can I be Delolicious?

I'm a winner

Usually on New Year's Eve, I stay home. Either my husband and I have no where to go or my husband has to work. New Year's Eve 2005, my husband and I stayed home and watched movies. Well, he did. I fell asleep.

New Years Eve 2006, my husband Mike and I attended a party at one of his co-workers house. After eating and a lot of drinking, not by me, I only had three Wild Grape Smirnoff's, a group of us sat down to play Texas Hold 'Em. A few of us sitting at the table didn't know how to play, myself included. We played a practice round, then it was time for the real game.

Sitting at a table of seven, I beat them all. I actually won. The game, which was running long, after an hour and a half was down to two other players and myself. It was about five minutes away from midnight and I said we needed to get this game over with because other people wanted to play. We agreed to go all in and whoever had the best hand won. I don't remember exactly what I had, but I was the winner.

After the ball in Times Square dropped, everyone kissed their spouse, got more food and alcohol and then the second game started. The second game had 10 players, I finished fourth. It was fun because my husband knows how to play and I outlasted him in both games.

So much for the girl who really doesn't know how to play Texas Hold 'Em.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman

Currently Reading: Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
Up Next: All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward

Books read in 2006

The Constant Gardener, John Le Carre
The American Way of Death Revisited, Jessica Mitford
Shopgirl, Steve Martin
The City of Falling Angels, John Berendt
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, John Berendt
Portrait of Myself, Margaret Bourke-White
The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe, Donald H. Wolfe
Marilyn: The Last Take, Peter Harry Brown and Patte B. Barham
The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe, Sarah Churchwell
Cary Grant: The Lonely Heart, Charles Higham and Roy Moseley
Shutterbabe, Deborah Copaken Kogan
The Hidden Hitler, Lothar Machtan
Auschwitz: A New History, Laurence Rees
Jack The Ripper: The Complete Casebook, Donald Rumbelow
In Cold Blood, Truman Capote
Turning the Tables: Restaurants from the Inside Out, Steven A. Shaw
Lincoln's Melancholy, Joshua Wolf Shenk
The Dark Side of Camelot, Seymour M. Hersh
Sinatra: The Life, Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan
The Third Reich in Power, Richard J. Evans
Once Upon a Time: Behind the Fairy Tale of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Bowerman and the Men of Oregon, Kenny Moore
Bridesmaids: Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco and Six Intimate Friends, Judy Balaban Quine
Grace and Power, Sally Bedell Smith
Grace, Robert Lacey
There She is, Miss America, edited by Elwood Watson and Darcy Martin
Sex Wars, Marge Piercy
My Dark Places, James Ellroy
Hitler: Memoirs of a Confidant, edited by Henry Ashby Turner, Jr.
L.A. Confidential, James Ellroy
Straight Up and Dirty, Stephanie Klein
Miss America, 1945: Bess Myerson and the Year that Changed Our Lives, Susan Dworkin
The Day Diana Died, Christopher Andersen
The Perfect Wife, Ann Gerhardt
No Lifeguard on Duty, Janice Dickinson
First Son, Bill Minutaglio
The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
Because He Could, Dick Morris
Diana in Search of Herself, Sally Bedell Smith

Final count of books read in 2006: 39

Miles Run in 2006

I ran on the treadmill yesterday for my final run of 2006. I blogged last week about being sick. When I posted, I said I didn't have a cough. Now I do. So during my run, my throat and nose were burning. That makes a run so much more fun! Three miles was all I could handle.

Total miles run for the year:
2004: 318.6
2005: 350.8
2006: 470