Colors - Adrian, MI

Tagging - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2010

I read a fabulous memoir in a day over the weekend. The book is called The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir by Diana, Liz, Amanda and Dan Welch. It is the story of the Welch family growing up after a tough family situation. The Welch children were orphaned after their father died in a car crash and their mother died from cancer. The story follows the children selling the family home, sending the youngest sibling to live with another family and going there separate ways in life. After years of being apart, the Welch siblings finally come back together as a family. I loved the writing style of the book. Each sibling wrote a chapter and the story fell into place. I highly recommend this book. Hopefully you'll love it as much as I did.

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene
The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene
The Invisible Intruder, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Mirror Bay, Carolyn Keene
Mystery of the Glowing Eye, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Forgotten City, Carolyn Keene
The Strange Message in the Parchment, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of Crocodile Island, Carolyn Keene
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
Club Dead, Charlaine Harris
Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris
Dead as a Doornail, Charlaine Harris
Definitely Dead, Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris
From Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris
Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris
Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris
In The Valley of the Kings: Howard Carter and the Mystery of King Tutankhamen's Tomb, Daniel Heyerson
Mystery of the Fire Dragon, Carolyn Keene
The Thirteenth Pearl, Carolyn Keene
The Triple Hoax, Carolyn Keene
The Flying Saucer Mystery, Carolyn Keene
Dark Lover: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J. R. Ward
Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City, Nelson Johnson
Puppetmaster: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover, Richard Hack
Get Capone, Jonathan Eig
Lady Bird, Jan Jarboe Russell
In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents they Protect, Ronald Kessler
The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir, Diana Welch, Liz Welch, Amanda Welch & Dan Welch

Currently Reading: The Kennedy Imprisonment, Garry Wills
Up Next: The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen

Group exhibition

I found a great email when I was at work Saturday morning. The email was from my college photography professor. She was wondering if I was interested in participating in a group show of county photographers that she is curating for my alma mater. Even though she wouldn't see the email until Monday, I replied instantly. Of course I would love to be included in a group exhibition. This will be only the second gallery show I participated since my senior year of college.

The group show is scheduled for next fall from November 8-December 14, 2011. I am to submit no more then four pieces and they must be framed. There will be a reception for the artists and their guests. I don't know if an artist talk will be apart of the show. That is something I'm not going to sweat over. If people are curious about my photography, they can ask me about it at the reception.

Indie Ink

My photo, G Around the Corner, is featured on Indie Ink today.

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene
The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene
The Invisible Intruder, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Mirror Bay, Carolyn Keene
Mystery of the Glowing Eye, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Forgotten City, Carolyn Keene
The Strange Message in the Parchment, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of Crocodile Island, Carolyn Keene
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
Club Dead, Charlaine Harris
Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris
Dead as a Doornail, Charlaine Harris
Definitely Dead, Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris
From Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris
Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris
Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris
In The Valley of the Kings: Howard Carter and the Mystery of King Tutankhamen's Tomb, Daniel Heyerson
Mystery of the Fire Dragon, Carolyn Keene
The Thirteenth Pearl, Carolyn Keene
The Triple Hoax, Carolyn Keene
The Flying Saucer Mystery, Carolyn Keene
Dark Lover: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J. R. Ward
Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City, Nelson Johnson
Puppetmaster: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover, Richard Hack
Get Capone, Jonathan Eig

Currently Reading: Lady Bird, Jan Jarboe Russell
Up Next: First Family: Terror, Extortion, Revenge, Murder and the Birth of the American Mafia, Mike Dash

Future running goals

I feel with all of the training that I've been putting in, it is time to challenge myself. Since 2008, I've only run in one half marathon a year. That will change starting in 2011. I would like to do two or more half marathons. I already registered for the Glass City Half Marathon in Toledo, Ohio on April 17, 2011 and I will register again for a fall half marathon. I haven't decided if it will be the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon yet. I'm really interested in running the Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon. That half marathon is run on the road and bike trails.

My goal for 2012 is to run a half marathon outside of Michigan and Ohio. I think it would be fun to run a half in a city that I have never been too. I have already found some that have interested me. All of the half marathon races that I'm considering are part of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. I'm looking at New Orleans, LA; Nashville, TN; Denver, CO; Savannah, GA and San Antonio, TX. I will pick the one that best fits in my already busy racing schedule.

Spartan Invitational

I drove north to East Lansing Friday to watch the Spartan Invitational at Forest Akers East Golf Course. This was my third college cross country event I ever attended. So many teams and so many great runners participated in this event.

My highlights of the day was watching Nick Willis, the 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist (men's 1500 meter run) from New Zealad, run in the race. He was in the lead pack the entire race. Willis just fell short of winning by a second. He was defeated by Michigan State's Aaron Simoneau. The other highlight of the day was watching Amanda Putt of Hillsdale College. I photographed Putt running cross country and track for four years at a local high school. She was her school's number one runner. Amanda is now a sophomore at Hillsdale and she sat out last cross country and track season due to injury. Now she is healthy and back running. Putt finished second for Hillsdale and 76th overall.

A pack of University of Michigan Wolverines at the start of the women's 6K race.

The chase pack behind leader Lanni Marchant of Playmakers (not in photo). Marchant was eventually overtaken and finished third overall. Emily MacLeod (352) of Michigan State won the race in 20:46.

Bekah Smeltzer of Michigan State finished 9th overall with a time of 21:19. I covered many cross country invitationals and regionals that Bekah ran in high school. It was nice to see her run again.

Amanda Putt (188) of Hillsdale College. I covered Putt during her high school career running cross country and track. She finished 76th overall and second for Hillsdale.

Emily MacLeod of Michigan State won the women's 6K race in 20:46.

Nick Willis (570) battles Michigan State's Aaron Simoneau in the men's 8K race. Simoneau beat 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist (1500m) Willis to win the race in 24:28.

NXN

I was informed earlier this week that I was selected as a winner of a contest. The contest was a chance to win a trip for two to the 2010 Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon. I entered the contest earlier this month and never thought I would win. When I received word that I won, I just couldn't believe it. Out of the thousands of people that entered, my named was picked. My husband and I will be flying to Portland for four days and three nights.


I'm so excited about this upcoming trip! I have never been out west. The furthest west I've ever been is Chicago. What really excites me about this trip is I get to see some of the best high school cross country runners in the United States. It will be so fun! I can't wait.

Random things

I've been on vacation this week. My husband couldn't get time off from his job, so my vacation has been at home. It has been nice. I have been running, reading, running errands, spending time with my husband and relaxing. I better enjoy my last few days off because I return to work Monday morning.

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary on Tuesday. We got dressed up and went to dinner. We only go to dinner at this restaurant once a year. It is a bit expensive, but it is worth it. I started dinner with a Petite green salad. It had Pear, Jicama, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Sherry Balsamic Vinaigrette. I had a Char Crusted Aged Beef Tenderloin for the main course. Served on the plate with the tenderloin was horseradish bronzed gnocchi, Trumpet Royal mushrooms, broccoli and a Cabernet Natural Reduction. It was fabulous. The meat was tender and juicy. The gnocchi, mushrooms and broccoli were so good. I could have eaten more. So delicious. For dessert, my husband and I shared a chocolate lava cake with a pecan crisp, vanilla ice cream and strawberry sauce. It was a great way to celebrate nine years of marriage.

I do have some fun plans for Friday afternoon. I'm driving to East Lansing to watch the Spartan Cross Country Invitational. It is a huge cross country invitational that hosts college, high school and middle school races. The races that I will be watching are the college women's and men's. I'm a fan of the University of Michigan's women's team, but I can't wait to see some runners from Michigan State University and Hillsdale College. I photographed some of the runners while they were in high school and it will be good to see them running again.

Nine years

Happy 9th Anniversary to the man who still makes me laugh and smile after all of this time. Here is to more years of wedded bliss together with you.

Love,
Deloris

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene
The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene
The Invisible Intruder, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Mirror Bay, Carolyn Keene
Mystery of the Glowing Eye, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Forgotten City, Carolyn Keene
The Strange Message in the Parchment, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of Crocodile Island, Carolyn Keene
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
Club Dead, Charlaine Harris
Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris
Dead as a Doornail, Charlaine Harris
Definitely Dead, Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris
From Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris
Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris
Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris
In The Valley of the Kings: Howard Carter and the Mystery of King Tutankhamen's Tomb, Daniel Heyerson
Mystery of the Fire Dragon, Carolyn Keene
The Thirteenth Pearl, Carolyn Keene
The Triple Hoax, Carolyn Keene
The Flying Saucer Mystery, Carolyn Keene
Dark Lover: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J. R. Ward
Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City, Nelson Johnson
Puppetmaster: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover, Richard Hack

Currently Reading: Get Capone, Jonathan Eig
Up Next: Lady Bird, Jan Jarboe Russell

Weekend update

I had a great weekend.

The past weekend was the start of my week-long vacation. It was also the weekend of my new 5K PR, finished 4th overall for women, first in my age group, finally losing 75 pounds and running 60 miles in a week. OK, I didn't run all of the 60 miles over the weekend, but I did complete it on Sunday.

I started the 5K running fast. I was near the front of the pack. Before reaching the half mile mark a lady ran beside me and started to pull away. I didn't let her pull away too far. She was in striking distance. I glanced down at my watch after running by mile marker one, it read 8:32. I was right where I wanted to be time wise. Not too fast, not too slow.

The start of the second mile had a huge hill to run down. I'm glad we had to run down the hill. Coming down the hill, my speed was so fast. The downhill helped me catch up to the lady that passed me a half mile into the race. We ran side-by-side less then .25 of a mile. She started to fade and was no longer running beside me.

My next goal of the race was to catch two guys that were in front of me. I passed one of the guys right after crossing the two mile mark at 16:58. After passing him, he picked up his speed and passed me right back. Running together, both of us caught up to the second guy. The guys started talking to each other. When they started talking, it seemed liked they slowed down. I was boxed in behind them. I was going to swing around them on the outside right, but they both moved over to let me pass.

I passed the guys and continued my pace. Less then a half mile to go, I was passed by one of the male runners. I tried my hardest to stay with him, but I couldn't. Making the final turn to the finish line, I was amazed to see 25 minutes on the timing clock. I have never seen those numbers ever while heading to the finish line. I started picking up my pace, sprinting towards the finish line and lowered my 5K PR. I finished the race in 26:18. I was first in my age group and the 4th woman overall. I dropped my PR set in August by a minute. I finished 12 seconds behind the guy that passed me with a half mile to go.

Not a bad way to end the week.

Random things

I was asked Tuesday to speak to a beginner's running group Saturday. The group is a From Couch to 5K. Most of them have never run more then a mile. The group leaders are people I have known for years. We all grew up in the same community and went to the same high school. They thought I would be perfect to inspire a group of new runners with my running and weight loss story. I hope my story can inspire them and keep them running.

I was asked this week by a woman I know if I have been losing weight. I answered yes and that I have lost almost 75 pounds (I have lost 74.5 pounds officially). She asked how I did it and I told her running 50 miles and portion control. She said I looked great then said "I was now too skinny." I just smiled. That is a first. Someone telling me I'm too skinny. It was only 9 months ago I was in the obese category of the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. Now I'm in the normal weight category and that is where I plan to stay for a long time.

I have another vacation coming up next week. Usually my husband and I go somewhere during the week of our wedding anniversary. We went on our vacation back in August, so next week is just a chance for me to relax at home. I don't know what my husband has planned for our ninth wedding anniversary. It could be big or not.

Besides our anniversary, I have a couple of things I want to do on my week off: photograph some dance classes and go to a high school and college cross country invitationals. The dance studio where I've been taking photos at for years started class this week. I decided to wait a week so they can get into the swing of their classes. The high school cross country meet is a conference invitational at one of the local parks in town. The college cross country invitational is at Michigan State in East Lansing. It is the Spartan Invitational and the University of Michigan men's and women's teams will be running in it. I thought since I'm on vacation and it is not that far away, why not go? I'm excited to see Michigan run against some good competition. I will also be happy to see some of the MSU runners as well. What will make me the most happy is seeing great runners. I love cross country!

Wolverine pack - Dexter, MI

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene
The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene
The Invisible Intruder, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Mirror Bay, Carolyn Keene
Mystery of the Glowing Eye, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Forgotten City, Carolyn Keene
The Strange Message in the Parchment, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of Crocodile Island, Carolyn Keene
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
Club Dead, Charlaine Harris
Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris
Dead as a Doornail, Charlaine Harris
Definitely Dead, Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris
From Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris
Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris
Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris
In The Valley of the Kings: Howard Carter and the Mystery of King Tutankhamen's Tomb, Daniel Heyerson
Mystery of the Fire Dragon, Carolyn Keene
The Thirteenth Pearl, Carolyn Keene
The Triple Hoax, Carolyn Keene
The Flying Saucer Mystery, Carolyn Keene
Dark Lover: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J. R. Ward

Currently Reading: Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City, Nelson Johnson
Up Next: Library trip

Michigan Open

I drove to Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter Friday afternoon to watch the University of Michigan men's and women's cross country teams run.

Usually I don't go to sporting events I'm not photographing for work. It was nice just to be able to take photos of the runners without chasing them down after the race to ask them their names. I enjoyed just being a spectator.

I was excited to watch the women's race. I got to see Danielle Tauro, Kaitlyn Peale, Kaitlyn Patterson and Rebecca Addison run in person after seeing them on TV and reading about them. Michigan's top runners ran in a pack for most of the race, near the end, the pack broke up. Courtney Calka from Eastern Michigan started pulling away and won the race. Danielle Tauro was third. Followed by Kaitlyn Patterson, Kaitlyn Peale and Rebecca Addison.

Courtney Calka, EMU - 17:42.0

Danielle Tauro, U-M - 17:51.91

Kaitlyn Patterson, U-M - 17:58.87

Kaitlyn Peale, U-M - 18:03.49

Rebecca Addison, U-M - 18:05.31

Public speaking

I've been dreading Thursday morning ever since Monday. I was informed that Thursday morning after deadline, a group from a college student newspaper would be visiting the office. Usually that is not a big deal. It was this time. I had to give a demo and talk about how to tone photos for a newspaper.

I haven't like talking in front of groups since my sophomore year in high school. I used to raise my hand in class and answer questions frequently. It was until a group of male classmates made fun of anyone who participated in class. I didn't like to get made fun of. So I stopped raising my hand and stopped talking. I lost my confidence and that lead to some speaking issues. In my head, I could think of what I wanted to say perfectly. When I would say the words, they come out jumbled. There are times now that still happens to me. I usually have to start what I was saying over. It gets frustrating.

When I started my workday this morning, I just wanted it over. I'm not a fan of talking to a groups of people. We were told that the group would arrive around 10 a.m. and they would be at my desk at 10:05 a.m. That didn't happen. The group was in the building at that time, but not at my desk. With things not going according to plan, it was making me more nervous.

The group finally arrived at my desk at 10:45 a.m. Surprisingly, the talk and the demo went well. I don't recall jumbling my words. It was just another time of sitting at my desk toning photos like I do every Monday through Friday. I was happy that the group participated, asked questions and seemed to understand what I was saying. The college newspaper advisor was apart of the group and he showed me something that I have never used in Photoshop. I told him that I've been doing my job for nine years and I have never used that option on a tool. We all use Photoshop differently and I would never claim to be a master at it. What I know of Photoshop is what I was taught when I took the job many years ago.

I was happy that the college students learned something and I didn't make a fool of myself. I made it through the talk and demo without my cheeks burning or turning bright red. Maybe this is a turning point for me in speaking with groups. I need to remember the boys who made fun of me are not in the room and no one is laughing at me. Be confident and everything will fall into place.

Cross Country and stuff

Back when I was in high school, our school didn't have cross country. If we did, I'm not sure I would have run it. I guess my first love then was basketball. I've been out of high school for 13 years and in those years since, running and cross country have become my first love. Sorry basketball. Since the start of this year, I have really been focused on running. I enjoy running 50+ miles a week. All of those miles I logged have helped me lose over 70 pounds. I love watching cross country and track meets. Running just makes me so happy. It is something everyone can do and you can do it by yourself. Unlike basketball it is better if you play against or with someone.

I photographed a cross country invitational this afternoon. It started out as very hot and humid. After the boys race, the storm clouds came and so did the rain. The girls race was run in the rain. Who doesn't love unpredictable weather?

I will be driving north to watch the University of Michigan men's and women's cross country teams run Friday. I'm every excited about it. It will most definitely be the highlight of my day. I have been a Michigan cross country fan for years and now I get to see them run in person. I will be taking my camera with me. I must get photos!