Recital photos

This past Sunday, I photographed Encore Dance Studio's 10th Anniversary Celebration Recital in Tecumseh, MI. Over the next week or two, I will be posting my favorite photos from the day on my photo blog, DCO's Photo Gallery. You can check them out over there or if you want to see all of the photos go to my instaproofs site.

Weekend update

I've been very busy this past weekend. It has non-stop since Friday afternoon. Today, I get a bit of a break, I don't have to photograph any sports. But I do have a lot of editing to do.

- Friday afternoon: I drove up to Grass Lake to photograph the Division 4 Track Regional. The field events were supposed to start at 3:30 pm. Needless to say, they didn't. The officials didn't stop the athletes from warming up, they let them continue. The field events started about 20 minutes later. While the field events were still going on, the preliminary heats were run in the 100, 200 & hurdles. Those were close to schedule, but still off. After the 3200 meter relay and the semifinal heats were run there was a mandatory break. The break lasted an hour. According to the program, the finals were to start at 6:05 pm. The finals didn't actually start until 6:45 pm. That made me mad because that meant that I couldn't see more of the events and I needed to leave by 8 pm to drive back to the office.

- Saturday: Around 2:30 am, my awesome neighbors were out on their porch screaming, yelling and talking loud. I needed sleep because I had a long day ahead of me. After they woke me up, I realized I felt horrible. I couldn't breathe and my nose was stuffy. I realized that I caught my husband's cold. I stacked my pillows against the headboard and tried to get to sleep with my head propped up. I probably tossed, turned and blew my nose for the next half hour or so until going to sleep. I woke up around 7 am and got ready for the day.

I photographed a friend's wedding Saturday. My day started early at 9 am at the salon. I was tired and couldn't breathe, but I was happy for the couple. Most of the time I was on my feet going from here to there, directing the bridal party, family and the couple. I had a good time and it was fun photographing a wedding of people I knew. After about 11 hours and nearly 1000 photos, my day was done.

- Sunday: In the afternoon, I had another photography shoot. This time it was a ballet recital in Tecumseh. I was not feeling too well, but I promised the dance instructors that I would be there. When I arrived, I walked backstage and said hello to all of the dance instructors. I sat in chair backstage waiting for the show to start. The show went well. I always enjoy shooting the recital because I get great photos. I think if I wasn't sick, I could have gotten more. But what I shot was good. This year I took pictures of dancers that I haven't got before. I think they will be excited when the see them soon.

Locking problems

I took my car to a dealership Monday to get it serviced. I noticed a couple weeks ago during a storm that water was leaking into my car. Enough water leaked in to soak the carpet on the floor on the drivers and passengers side of the front seat. I was going to wait to get it fixed when I got my next oil change but something else went wrong.

Last week, I didn't hear the locks go down when I pressed the lock button on my key less remote. The horn sounded but my car was still unlocked. I had to walk around to all four door and lock the car by hand. I didn't like the fact that my key less remote wasn't working. I thought if the lock button isn't working would the unlock? Just to be safe I tried the unlock button with my driver's side window rolled down. I was thankful it still worked. But just to be safe I wanted to start using my key to open the door. I put my key into the lock and turned. It didn't work. This was practically the first time I ever used the key to open the door. When I bought my car two years ago I have always used the key less remote for everything. When the key didn't open my door, I tried opening/locking the trunk and glove box. Magically my key worked on those locks. The entire two years I had my car I never knew that the keys didn't unlock the door.

When I took my car in, I showed the service worker where the water was leaking in. He told me that the water was probably coming in from the deflector and it wouldn't cost that much to fix. Before leaving I told him that my key didn't unlock my door. I said that the key starts the car, opens the trunk and locks the glove box. He went over to my car and tried every lock. He was surprised that the key didn't work in the door. The service worker said that the lock would have to be replaced.

Later in the afternoon, the dealership called to say my car was ready. All the parts were replaced. I could now open my door with my key and no more water should be leaking into my car. He said that a lot of water and moisture is under the carpet in the front. He said they could take out my seats and carpet and dry up all of the water for about $350. If I let it go, my car could start to smell. I said that I thought the water had been leaking in since the fall and hadn't smelled anything. So I passed on it. I really didn't want to spend that much money to clean up water. I'm sure the carpet will dry out sooner or later. It is spring and we should have some warm sunny days soon*, I hope.

*Yesterday, I wore my winter coat and hat to a softball game! Today I will be wearing my winter coat and hat to a baseball game. The temperature outside is only 46 degrees. Its spring isn't it?

Pain and bikes

Last Saturday, I photographed my first wedding of the year. After standing for most of the day and night, my legs and feet were sore and tired. Instead of resting on Sunday, I decided to go on a bike ride.

It was my first bike ride of the year. It was also a short one, only 3 miles or so. But it was not the thing to do. My legs were probably asking me what I did to them to put them through so much pain, but I needed to exercise. I knew I wouldn't be able to run very far, so biking solved my problem. Besides my legs being in pain, I thought it was a nice ride.

Monday afternoon I headed out on a run. I told my husband it would be a short run since my legs hurt. Only a 1.5 mile into my run, I stopped in my tracks. I developed massive cramps and couldn't run anymore. I cut my run short and walked home. While walking home the cramps started to go away. Once I got home I felt better. I talked to my husband for a bit then I decided that I wanted to run at least 2 miles for the day. I walked back down my driveway and ran around the block. I finished with 2.1 miles for the day.

About an hour after running, my husband and I went on a bike ride. I used the same route that I did on Sunday. Once I sat down on my seat, I knew I didn't escape the pain from the first bike ride of the year. It hurt. Riding over uneven pavement and bumps didn't help much either. Later in the ride, when I saw bumps or dips up ahead, I stood up on my bike to avoid the pain. It helped out alot.

I like to ride my bike, but I always forget how much discomfort goes along with the first couple of rides.

Junior

My favorite NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of this year. This morning at a press conference at JR Motorsports, Junior announced he is leaving DEI to pursue other options. He also stated that he wants to continue to drive a Chevrolet. His sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, has handled Juniors contract negotiations wants to have a deal at the end of the month.

Could Junior drive the number 3 for Richard Childress? Will he go to Joe Gibbs and be teammates with his friends Tony and Denny? We will all find out soon.

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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto

Currently Reading: Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Up Next: Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett

Random things

Last Thursday, my husband's present arrived in the mail! I was so excited to see it in the mail, I tore it open to show my husband. Yesterday I asked him if he has watched Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Season One yet? He hasn't. My husband has been outside doing yard work and putting up a new fence in our backyard. But not to worry, I have already watched all 13 episodes.

An hour after I blogged about the library not finding my book, they called me. The book was found and was placed on hold for me. I picked up the book after my softball game turned into a scrimmage.

My soccer game on Friday didn't start on time. The visiting team was late due to construction and I waited over an hour for the game to start. After the visiting team was finally on the field warming up I asked the assistant coach for a roster of the team. She only had a phone number list with the players name on it. I asked if she could write the players jersey numbers next to the names. She agreed and I waited for 5 minutes. When she finished, she handed me the list. I thanked her and put it in my pocket. I turned and walked away and reporter from another paper said I needed to give the list to his photographer. While he was talking I just kept walking because the game already started. I waited patiently for the list, couldn't he do the same? Since I didn't stop, he chased me down to the other side of the field behind the goalie. Once he got to me, he told me to give him the roster. Um, no. I told him that I would let the photographer see it. Before leaving the game, I showed the list to the photographer. She was very nice and thanked me. I guess she has all of the manners in the group.

That's the way the ball bounces

My sports assignments haven't been going my way this week. There has been some problem that has occurred the last three days I have been scheduled to photograph a game.

Tuesday, I drove to a high school outside of town for a track meet. I arrived at the school and no one is on the track. A storm system that was producing lightening was passing by. If lightening strikes during a sporting event, Michigan High School Athletic Association has a rule to stop the game and wait a half-hour. The visiting school was sitting on their buses, while the home school was chillin' in the gym.

After an hour and a half of sitting in my car waiting, I walked into the school to use the restroom. While leaving the restroom I saw the home school track coaches watching the weather on TV to decide if the meet was still going to go on. The head coach wanted to wait for the next storm cell to roll by before they decided to call the meet. The storm cell that was in the neighboring county was capable of producing tornado's. The home team's athletic director went outside to the visiting school buses to talk it over with the coaches. Five or ten minutes later, the buses start moving. I thought they were going to drop the athletes off at the school to wait out the storm. Nope. They kept driving by. The meet was called due to the weather.

An hour after the meet was postponed, the sky turned blue and it didn't rain or storm the rest of the evening.

Wednesday, I drove across the county for a softball game. I arrived at the game about a half hour before it was supposed to start to copy down rosters from both teams. After the teams finished their warm ups, the game started. The home team had a quick top half of the first inning. The pitcher had two strikeouts and an easy out at first base. When it was the home team's turn to bat the head coach stood in the box near me on the third base line. She asked me what I was doing at the game. I asked why. She said that earlier in the week, she told a co-worker of mine that the game was being changed to a scrimmage. I told her that it wasn't mentioned to me. Since it was a scrimmage there was no point in staying. I called my sports editor and told him the bad news. The entire time I was in either dugout, nobody told me it was a scrimmage. Seems like they would wonder why the paper would be there covering it.

Today, I checked a website with local sports schedules to see when my tennis match started. The website read that the home tennis game was now away. I called the school's athletic department and the tennis game was moved Wednesday afternoon to another school. I thanked the athletic secretary for the information, called my sports editor and left a message. He called me back and he decided to send me to a soccer game in town.

Tomorrow I would like my schedule to be back to normal. Please let my soccer game be played without any problems. No more weather cancellations, scrimmages and schedule mix-ups, I've had enough for one week.

Still missing

It has been a couple of weeks since I've been to the library. Last time on my books read list, I mentioned that I wanted to check out a book. The library computer had the book listed available. Unfortunately it was not on the shelve where it was supposed to be. I looked around the biography section and couldn't find it. When I checked out the other two books, I mentioned to the library worker that the book was missing from the shelve. The worker went back to take a look for herself. She came back empty handed. I provided the library with my name and phone number, so they could call me when they found the book. Before I left, I was told that they were really good about finding missing books.

Fast forward, two weeks later and no call from the library. Granted I haven't had much time to read, but they still haven't found that book? Are they even still looking for it? GRRRRRR!

On a different note:
Tuesday mail check - Still no Harvey Birdman DVD in the mail.

Where is it?

Way back on April 14, I ordered a birthday present for my husband. I ordered a DVD online for his birthday that was last Friday, the 27th. Two days after I ordered the DVD, I received an email saying the DVD was mailed and it should arrive in 5-10 business days. Plenty of time to arrive for his big day.

On my husband's birthday, I gave him one of his presents that I already had. It was a red Boston University t-shirt. He received his Master of Criminal Justice from BU in 2005 and he wanted a shirt. I ordered the shirt the same day as the DVD and the shirt came within 3 days. When the mailman didn't bring the DVD in the mail on his birthday, I let him know what his other present was. I told him to expect Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Season One soon.

The mailman came by earlier today and brought the mail. No Harvey Birdman. The email that the company sent said to expect delievery between 4/25-4/30. Well today is the last day of April. I called the 800 number to see what was going on. The customer service lady said that it was the 10th business day and if I don't get it by Thursday call them back. If I should happen to call them back, the company will ship out another DVD. The lady was nice on the phone, but I just wanted to yell because this DVD was supposed to be a birthday present. My husband's birthday was last Friday not this coming Thursday. GRRRRRRRRRRR!

I hope Harvey arrives before Thursday, I don't want to wait another week or two to watch the first season. Err, I mean my husband doesn't.

Last name fun

At a high school baseball game that I was photographing today, the players were having fun with a teammate's last name. The player's last name is Hooker.

Examples of what was being said in the dugout:

"Way to find the hole Hooker"

"We need you on the corner Hooker"


Silly boys.

Random things

The soccer game was played as scheduled Wednesday. The heavy rain passed and when the game started it was sprinkling and cold, in the low 40s. I wore boots, pants, a sweater, jacket and a long raincoat, and I was still cold. I left my gloves in the car because I didn't think it was that cold out. Wrong! After the game, I had a mental note: Always bring gloves.

When I arrived at the soccer field, I got my camera ready. Before even taking any photos, I counted how many people were in attendance. Other then the players, officials, coaches and scorekeepers, there were about 15 people on or near the stands. Not a huge turnout. What's wrong with people? They don't like standing outside in the cold and rain?

Everyday I read USA Today on the web. While reading Pop Candy the other day, she had a link to a woman who blogs about The Baby-Sitters Club book series. Growing up, I also read that series and loved it. I thought it was cool that these 13 year-old girls were in a club and had jobs. I so wanted to be them. I spent about a half-hour on her blog and laughed the entire time. It is a great blog and I'm glad that it was brought to Whitney's attention at PC.

Happy early birthday honey.

Rain, cameras and outdoor sporting events don't mix

Later today, I will be photographing a soccer game in the rain. I know there is no chance that the game will be canceled. Soccer games are played no matter what. I'm not looking forward to covering my camera/lens in plastic, wearing boots/raincoat and standing outside in rainy 45 degree weather.

Do you think besides the players, officials, and me that parents would want to stand on the side of the field to watch their daughters play in the heavy downpour? If it was me, I would say "Honey, I'll watch from the car."

Sunday 5K

Sunday, I ran in a local 5K. I was a perfect day to run. It was nice, sunny and the temperature was in the 50s.

The first mile I ran pretty well. I kept a good, steady pace on the mixture of hills and flat surfaces. I passed the first mile marker, a full minute faster then what I usually run. I thought I could keep that pace for the entire race. Then it happened, severe stomach cramps. The pain was terrible, my pace slowed but I kept running. The stomach cramps stopped near the end of the second mile. With the pain gone, I started picking up my pace.

While I was running slower with the worst stomach cramps ever, two women passed me. My hope was to catch back up with them, but they were both so far ahead I knew the chances would be slim. Since I couldn't catch the two ahead of me, my motivation was to keep a group of women behind me. After crossing the second mile mark, I could hear them talking. I really didn't know how close they were, but they were close enough that I could hear bits and pieces of their conversation.

Around the 2.5 mile mark, the course took a left hand turn. It was at this time I could turn around and see where they were. While going around the corner, I turned to look back. I didn't see them. It was a relief. I knew that I had some distance on them. With not much more of the race left, I wanted to finish with a good time.

I continued to pick up my pace on the flat surface. The course didn't stay flat for long. The flat course dipped down then up a giant hill. I ran strong up the hill and was excited that I was close to the end. When I made the final turn towards the finish line, I tried so hard to sprint to the finish. My legs had nothing left. I spent all of my energy making up time from the horrible second mile. I crossed the finish line at 32:01.57. I finished sixth in my age group. I thought I beat last year's time, but I was just shy: 31:57.

I didn't beat last year's time but this run made me happy. I was happy because I wasn't last in my age group and I wasn't the last runner on the course. There have been many 5 and 10K races where I was last in both categories. When I do finish last, it doesn't bother me. I'm just happy that I finish every race that I start, no matter where I finish.

Books

I returned my books to the library this morning and picked out two different books. I would have borrowed a third book, but it was missing from the shelve. The library computer indicated that the book was in the library and supposed to be on the shelve. I went back, looked around most of the biography section and still couldn't find it.

When I was checking out my other books, I told the librarian that the book I was looking for was missing from the shelve. I gave her the authors name and the title and she went see if she could find it. A couple of minutes later, she came back empty handed. She said she would have workers look for the book later today. I wrote down my name and phone number and was told when the book is found, they will call me. BOO!


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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel

Currently Reading: Notorious, Donald Spoto
Up Next: Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming

Miles run in 2007

Today I ran a easy 2.6 miles outside. Sunday is my first 5K of the year and I wanted to run on the road to get my legs used to the hard surface. The 5K will start and finish in downtown Adrian and will be run on city streets. For the past three years I've run this race, the weather has been bad. This year it is supposed to be sunny and warm. That will definitely make it fun to run.

Miles run through April 18:
2004: 90.1
2005: 120.2
2006: 151.8
2007: 150.1

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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel

Currently Reading: Library trip coming soon
Up Next:

What the wind blows into my yard

In the city I live in, garbage day in Monday. Most people on my street put their trash out Sunday night. I took my two bags of garbage out and placed them near the curb. The neighbors across the street had their usual 75 bags out on their curb.

Overnight the winds in the area picked up, the winds were around 25-35 mph today. With it so windy, the neighbors across the street really don't tie their bags very good. Alot of their trash blew into my yard and driveway. This afternoon, my husband and I picked up a large popcorn box, children's homework and a plastic bag.

When I came back home from work this evening, I saw more trash in my yard. I went outside and gathered the trash. I wanted my yard to look clean before one of my brides came over to pick up her engagement pictures. This time I picked up an art project, a warranty paper, cardboard, wrappers and a nice four page note written to a girl. The note was written to a girlfriend saying he has looked into houses and they need a certain amount of money to put a down payment on. Then he says that they need to brace for a health situation, so expect the worst he wrote. Last but certainly not least this guy wrote, ".... we must create some great personal memories to carry us through the times to come."

Written on top of the next page is: Food for thought, HMMM!! This guy totally gets dirty. He writes what he wants to do sexually to the recipient of the letter. He wrote, " The thought has crossed my mind what and how would you like your body made love to." The next two pages describe in detail what he wants to do to her and what he wants in return.

I'm sure this girl was supposed to keep this lovely letter, but somehow it ended up in the garbage. And on this very windy day in the Maple city, it ended up in my yard and into my hands. Such a heartfelt letter Timmy*. I'm sure your girl enjoyed reading it as much as I did.

*Name changed

Track meets, 5K's and goodbye

Twice this week, the track meets I was supposed to photograph were canceled. I can understand canceling on the day that it was snowing, raining and below freezing. But yesterday it was breezy, cloudy and the rain stopped a couple of hours before the meet was supposed to start. When I pulled up to the track and saw the track team out running practice, I was disappointed. They can run practice outside, but not run in a meet? What is up with that? When I was in high school, I remember running in a hale storm and heavy downpours. Its not the same as it used to be.

My first 5K of the year is April 22. Usually I send my money in a month early, this time I have been dragging my feet. For some reason I thought I had a couple of weeks to get ready for the 5K. While talking on the phone with another runner, he informed me that the race is next Sunday. As soon as I got home from work, I filled out the entry form and wrote out the check. This will be the fourth year that I have run this particular 5K. It would be nice on race day if it would be sunny and warm. For the last three years, it has been cold, windy or raining on race day but that is typical Michigan weather.

Congratulations to ST! Today was his last day at the paper in Adrian. ST will be leaving us because he got a new job in Lansing at the State Journal. It has been a pleasure working with you. Good luck at the LSJ.

Dad

John Wayne Clark

April 10, 1942 - August 15, 1998

Happy birthday Dad

Weekend update

On Good Friday my husband and I had an extremely late lunch. I was fasting and could only eat one meal, so we waited until 3 pm to eat. We went to a pizza place in town and ordered bread sticks and a large pizza. One half of the pizza had pepperoni and mushrooms and my meatless half, onions and mushrooms. When our bread sticks were brought out, I gobbled mine down fast. At that point I haven't ate in about 19 hours, so I was really hungry. After wolfing my bread sticks down, the pizza was brought to the table. The pizza was cut into 8 slices, four for each half. At the end of lunch, all four of my slices were gone. My husband needed a box for his two that he didn't eat. I felt like the biggest hog, usually I don't eat four large slices in a sitting.

Saturday morning, I didn't have to work so I decided to run. It was around 8 am and I didn't eat or drink before before running on the treadmill. If I do eat or drink before a run I get horrible side cramps. So I did what I always do, I started running and it was bad. The day before I only ate once around 3:30 pm. About 17 hours later, here I am trying to run. I had no energy. My legs felt like cement blocks. I'm thankful that my treadmill has hand rails. If it wasn't for them I don't think I would have even finished running the 2 miles.

Easter Sunday my alarm woke me up at 6 am. I rolled out of bed to get ready for the Sunrise Mass at 7 am. I arrived at the church at 6:30 am to get a seat. I was expecting to see the church packed like last year, but it wasn't. Not too many people showed up for the early mass. Maybe everyone was sleeping in like I wanted to.

After mass, I went to the grocery store to pick up some chocolate bunnies. While walking out to my car, I passed a car with a front licence plate that read "Rico Suave". Come on, why would you ever have that on your car? They must like bad 80s singers.

After Easter dinner at my mom's, I waited a while before running. This run was much better then Saturday's. I actually felt good and didn't use the hand rails for support.

Finally, the premiere episode for the last season of The Sopranos was on HBO last night. I told my husband that I wasn't going to watch it all, just five minutes. In the opening scene Tony was arrested for a gun charge. I couldn't leave the couch, it was too good. I watched the entire show and crawled into bed. It was worth staying up an extra hour to watch The Sopranos, but the alarm clock came too early this morning.

Random things

Earlier this week I was wearing a t-shirt and a jacket, enjoying the warm spring weather. Now it has gotten colder and my outfits switched to sweaters and my winter coat. To top it off I had to brush snow off of my car this morning and I slid through an intersection. I think this is payback for all of the nice days we had in the winter.

I don't know how many people watched The Agency on VH1, but that show had its season finale Tuesday night. The Agency followed the Men and Women's Boards at Wilhelmina Models in New York City. Its interesting to see how men and women's models are selected and signed with an agency. One woman's board agents got fired on the last show due to her attitude, that made me happy. She was such a drag to watch. I was surprised they waited so long to fire her. If you haven't seen it, check it out. I'm sure it will be replayed a lot.

Tomorrow is Good Friday. The last meatless Friday of the year. The downside is that I will be fasting tomorrow and can't eat more then one meal. The good news is that I will be able to buy something from the vending machines at work next week.

Books read in 2007

Instead of going outside to enjoy the beautiful, but windy day Monday, I stayed inside my house on the couch. Most of the afternoon was spending reading, The Man Who Would Not Shut Up by Marvin Kitman. It was worth it, I loved the book. I started reading the book Sunday afternoon and finished it Monday evening. I will start reading Clint Eastwood today, but some of the afternoon will be spend outside for a run before the rain, snow and cold take over for the rest of the week.


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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman

Currently Reading: Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Up Next:

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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server

Currently Reading: The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Up Next: Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel

Frozen food madness

For dinner last night, I decided I would buy something at the store instead of going to a fast food place. I got ready after my run and drove to the grocery store.

I knew exactly what I wanted. I walked back to the frozen food isle and stood in front of the Italian bag meals. I opened the door and pulled a bag out. I was ready to leave the isle and pay, but I stopped in my tracks. The front of the bag said "meal for two". On this night, I just wanted a meal for one. I thought could I really eat this entire bag of food? I turned the bag over and looked at the fat grams. It read 35 grams of fat. I instantly opened the glass door and put the bag meal back on the shelve.

I walked to the next isle where the meals for one are located. I looked around and spotted a box of ravioli. I opened the door and pulled it out. Upon holding the box, I thought that I should find a meal that had meat in it since I had to go without on Fridays for another two weeks. I walked a couple of doors down and spotted fettuccine alfredo. I know it has no meat in it, but it looked good. I really wanted it and grabbed a box. I was satisfied with my choices of ravioli and fettuccine alfredo and started to leave the isle. At the end of the isle, I looked down and thought I should really have a meal with meat. I turned around and went back. After looking at all of the choices, I settled on lasagna.

Before leaving the frozen food isles all together, I went down an isle that I skipped. I was looking at frozen pizzas. Most of the choices were the large pizzas. In one of the cases were small individual pepperoni pizzas. I grabbed one, but I still wasn't sure that I wanted it. Now carrying four frozen meals, I stepped in front of the mozzarella sticks. When I grocery shop with my husband I always point them out because I want them. But we always continue to walk by. Now that I was buying something for myself, I stopped and looked at all the variety's. After looking at 3 different kinds I settled on one. And with that, I put the lasagna, ravioli and fettuccine alfredo back into the freezer.

This trip to the frozen food isle took about a half hour. So many decisions when you are making dinner for yourself.

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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly

Currently Reading: Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
Up Next: The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman

Weekend update

Last Friday, my husband and I drove to Monroe, MI to do a little shopping. We stopped at this outlet mall that was terrible. It looked like a ghost town. I asked him why we were here and he said that their website said it had many stores. Apparently the mall needs to update their site. We only went into two stores - Gap and one that sold a variety of junk. (Junk being the key word.) If Gap wasn't a store at the outlet mall, I don't think there would be any shoppers there.

After leaving the outlet mall, we drove to Monroe's other mall. It was so different from the first place we were at, people were actually shopping! While in Target, my husband pointed out a woman for me to look at. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. A woman was shopping while wearing curlers in her hair. Hello, take them out before leaving the house.

When we finished with the second mall, we hopped on I-75 and drove south to Toledo, Ohio. We stopped at Best Buy, Franklin Park Mall, Bed Bath & Beyond and Olive Garden. I bought a couple of books at the mall and we also bought wedding gifts for some friends at BB&B.

Saturday night, my husband and I stayed home and had a nice dinner. During dinner we watched Hollywoodland. I liked how the movie presented a couple different scenarios for George's Reeves death/suicide. I don't think Reeves committed suicide, but the police did and quickly closed the case.

After my 5 mile run on Sunday, I did something that needed to be done for a while. My husband and I cleaned our backyard. We raked up three months of doggy poo and filled three giant bags, gross. I can't image how much more we would have raked up if we had more dogs.

Finally, it was nice to see Dale Earnhardt, Jr. have a good run at Bristol Motor Speedway. Junior finished seventh and moved up nine spots and is currently 17th in the Nextel Cup standings.

Sidewalk reading

My husband and I were walking out of a jewelry store in Tecumseh, when I saw something on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked up a folded piece of paper. It was a love note to Kyia from Kamden. Kamden was blowing Kyia a kiss and hoped she would send one back in return.

Apparently she isn't interested if she dropped your note on the sidewalk downtown. Sorry Kamden.

Miles run in 2007

This past Sunday, I ran 5 miles. Usually it is not a big deal, but with those 5 miles I have ran over 100 miles this year. I finished the day at 104 miles.

I'm still hoping to run today. But my run will depend on if my softball game that I'm supposed to photograph this afternoon is still on.


Miles run through March 21:
2004: 67.2
2005: 93.1
2006: 112
2007: 107

Why ask that?

While getting ketchup for my fries at lunch a lady stood next to me. She grabbed a couple of napkins to wipe her hands with. She saw me squirting ketchup into paper cups and then said to me, "Getting ketchup for your fries?"

Of course the answer is yes. Why do people ask the obvious?

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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones

Currently Reading: Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Up Next:

GRRRR!!

Before leaving for my basketball game yesterday, I set the DVR to record a program at 8 pm. After driving back from the game, I stayed at the office until 8:30 pm catching up on work. When I got home I looked at the DVR and the red recording light wasn't on. I turned on the cable box to find the recording information for the show was no where to be found. I was mad. After I entered the recording start and stop times, I checked the recording history and that show was on the list. But it didn't record. Thank you for lying to me DVR. Now I hate you.

Random things.....

My husband and I took the dogs for a walk yesterday. It has been a while since their last walk. On the first half of the walk, Blitz and Kelly were all over the place. Sniffing trees, sidewalks, bushes and grass. All the while, dragging my husband and me with them. After running back and forth, they finally settled down (got tired) and walked the rest of the way.

Thursday a friend from out of town is visiting. We were good friends back in college. She got married, moved to New Mexico and we still keep in touch. We are meeting at our former university's art gallery to listen to an oral defense and have lunch. The Bachelor of Fine Arts student who's work in hanging in the gallery reads a prepared artist's statement and answers questions from the art faculty and anyone else in the gallery. As an art major, I didn't have the guts to publicly defend my work. Instead of having the entire gallery to display my photographs, I had to share the gallery with 3 other people. Ah... the difference between a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts.

I hope to finish From Here to Eternity this weekend. That is my goal. I really want to go to the library and pick out some new books.

Fashion

While photographing a game over the weekend, I noticed people in the stands with funky clothing. I thought to myself, "Why are you wearing that?" Who wears plaid cargo pants? Or orange shoes?

Random things.....

I'm currently reading the book From Here to Eternity by James Jones. I have been reading this book since February 21 and it is good. The book has 850 pages and I'm on 479. Usually it doesn't take me up to three weeks to read a single book. But I have never read a book that was longer then 400 pages. I guess I know why.

Mascot Wars: At a boys basketball game I was photographing last night, both schools had mascots in costume. One team had a bulldog, the other had a Trojan. During a time out in the first half, the bulldog ran to center court to get his team excited and started rolling all over the floor. While the bulldog was doing that, the Trojan came out to center court to meet him. The Trojan took off his sandal and threaten to hit the bulldog with it, I'm sure words were said between the two. Two school staff members walked onto the court to break it up. Before the staff members got there, the bulldog ran off the court. After the timeout, the bulldog was talked to by its school principal. Whatever was said between the two didn't make the bulldog happy. He took off the head of the bulldog and left the gym slamming doors. The bulldog came back after he took off his costume and pouted in the stands. AHHH... high school drama.

My friendly neighbors put their house up for sale yesterday. My husband and I were saddened. We have lived next to them for 6 years and have exchanged Christmas cards, cookies and hellos. When it snowed, the husband would always use his snow blower to clear our sidewalk and entryway to our driveway. I hope whoever buys their house will be as friendly as them.. and have a snowblower.

Found in a strange location

When I left work this morning around 10:30 am, the snow had stopped at the sun was shining. I drove across town to my favorite place to take pictures: the cemetery.

After taking pictures for a half hour, I drove towards the front of the cemetery. I turned on a path that I have been on plenty of times. I noticed a new headstone. It had two figures on the sides of the headstone holding hands in the middle. I thought it was cute, so I stopped my car. I grabbed my camera and looked back over at the headstone. Sitting in the snow next to the headstone was a 24 oz glass bottle of beer. Odd. That is something that is not usual not taken to the cemetery.

I don't know if the beer was left on the headstone for a reason or someone set it down and forgot about it. All I know is when someone gets thirsty for some alcohol at the cemetery, at least it will be cold when they drink it.

Miles run in 2007

Besides running 3 or 4 times a week, I recently added more exercises to keep in shape. To go along with benching and crunches, I have added push ups and lunges. I did lunges Sunday night and I could feel it today during my run. I made it through my 4 mile run, but my legs really went away during mile 3.

Total miles through March 6:
2004: 52.5
2005: 77
2006: 86
2007: 87

Spelling contest

After pumping gas into my car this morning, I was walking to the store to pay when I noticed a large sign posted on one of the glass doors.

It read: "Pleese use other door."

Inside the store another sign posted on the same glass door, but Please was spelled correctly on that one.

I wonder how long it will hang on the door before someone notices the misspelled word.

The longest two days ever

For the past two days, I drove back and forth to Battle Creek to cover state wrestling team finals for two local teams. One team lost in the Division 2 Quarterfinals Friday night. The second team won the Division 4 State Team Championship Saturday. After these two long and exhausting days, I never been so happy to be home.

Stats from Friday and Saturday:

Hours worked: 25
Miles traveled: 350
Hours spent driving: 6
Gas used: an entire tank
Parking: $3
Heard the National Anthem and We Will Rock You by Queen: 7 times
Number of photos taken: 400
Bottles of water finished: 7
Cookies eaten: 4
Pages read from From Here to Eternity: 150
Matches I photographed: 4
Total amount of matches: 28

Friday, Friday

In a few hours, I will be getting in my car and driving about an hour and a half away. Most of my day will be spent in Battle Creek to cover state quarterfinal team wrestling.

There are two local teams that I will be photographing. The first team wrestles at 1 pm and the second team wrestles at 7:45 pm. Between the two teams, there is a huge gap. I have already packed a couple of snacks. I know the arena will provide food to media, but will there be a choice of foods? Today is the second Friday of Lent and I can't eat meat today. I'm hoping who ever picks out the food remembers those who can't eat meat today. If not, I will be relying on my snacks to last me all day.

The smell

"There should be a B.O. squad that patrols the city like a "Smell Gestapo". To sniff 'em out, strip 'em down, and wash them with a big, soapy brush."

-Jerry Seinfeld in the episode "The Smelly Car"

At a recent basketball game, all I could think of was a Seinfeld episode "The Smelly Car." In that episode, a valet leaves a strong body odor in Jerry's car.

What made me think of that episode was when someone involved with the basketball game ran by me with horrible B.O. The first time by, I thought it was one of the players. Then I realized it wasn't one of the players, it was a ref.

I didn't understand how he could smell that bad. The game just started. Maybe he worked up a sweat before the game or maybe he just smells? Who knows? Every time I saw him running to the baseline (where I was standing to photograph the game), I held my breath until he ran away. Sometimes that worked, sometimes it didn't. I just kept hoping the half would end soon because I couldn't stand his smell for too much longer.

At halftime, I was so excited to exit the gym and leave Mr. Smelly.

Fallen Hero

On local Toledo, Ohio television today was the funeral for Toledo Police Detective Keith Dressel. Dressel was shot and killed in the line of duty Wednesday, Febrauary 21. The funeral coverage started at 10 a.m. and it ended with his grave side services around 3:15 p.m.

During the five hour funeral service, television announcers said there were approximately 3000 mourners at the church. Thousands of police officers were in attendance from 37 states and Canada to honor Detective Dressel for his service to the Toledo Police Department.

I watched most of the funeral coverage. Besides the bagpipers playing "Amazing Grace", helicopter flyovers, a riderless police horse, playing of taps, 21-gun salute and folding of the flag, I think that the saddest moment came at the end of the church service. It is a tradition that when an officer dies in the line of duty that they have a "last call". "A radio dispatcher called out Keith Dressel's unit number and name repeatedly. Getting no answer, the dispatcher gave a short message remembering Dressel, saying he had answered his final call."

Detective Keith Dressel
1971-2007

So tired

My goal was to run a couple of miles today. I didn't meet that goal.

After returning home from work this morning, I took a two-hour nap on the couch. I woke up at 12:30 pm and then woke my husband up. We went to get lunch. He had a meat lovers personal pizza and I had an meatless onion and mushroom personal pan. We finished lunch and went home. My husband layed down on the couch, put his feet up and went to sleep. I grabbed my book and read 30 pages. At the time I thought I would change my clothes after reading to get ready for a run. What I did instead was grab a blanket, layed down and took an hour nap.

I'm beginning to think naps are more fun then running.

Miles run in 2007

To catch up on mileage, I ran an extra day last week. With that extra day of running, I finished the week with 13 miles. Usually I only run around 10 miles on any given week. So I was really happy finishing my week with more mileage. I would like to continue running four days a week. If I can keep that up, I can accomplish my goal of running 500 miles this year.

This afternoon after waking up from a nap, I forced myself to run 3 miles. That was the longest 3 miles I have run in a while. Running while your still tired isn't a good idea.

Total miles run through February 22:

2004: 43.4
2005: 62
2006: 69
2007: 71

Ash Wednesday

Soon I will be eating my one and only meatless meal of the day. I am fasting today in observance of Ash Wednesday.

One of my co-workers was eating carrots this morning. She offered some of her carrots to another co-worker who was standing beside me, he accepted and took a few from the bag. Then she said, "I would offer some to you, but you can't eat today."

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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother

Currently Reading: From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Up Next:

Random things.....

I was disappointed in the Daytona 500 yesterday. With 5 laps to go, my favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr was caught up in a crash. Earlier in the race his car was very loose. At one point he said this over the radio to his crew chief Tony Eury Jr., "I hate to be Captain Obvious here, but we're not very good." With 30 or 40 laps to go he managed to get near the front of the pack, only get involved in a multi-car crash. After Junior crashed out of the race, it was nice to see Kevin Harvick win. Junior finished in 32nd place. Oh well, on to California Speedway.

My husband and I went to Lowe's today to pick out new cabinet handles. Our old handles were in need of replacing and they were just ugly. After picking out the handles, we looked at some paint swatches. We hope to repaint our kitchen soon in nice Merlot color, with green and white accents.

I'm never ready for this time of the year, but it has arrived. Wednesday is the start of Lent. Fasting doesn't bother me, the thing that bothers me is no meat on Fridays. Usually after work on Friday nights, my husband and I go out for dinner and I always order something with meat, i.e. steak, beef nachos, etc. So until Easter, it will only be tuna or pasta for me. BOO! I haven't decided what I'm going to give up for Lent this year. I will probably give up the vending machine at work. Every year I give that up and do a good job of avoiding it.

Things that make me happy

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will be starting fifth Sunday in the Daytona 500. I'm glad Junior was able to continue and finish second in the race after Michael Waltrip crashed into him on lap 13.

Some of my favorite TV shows are returning from break and I can't wait to watch them. America's Next Top Model Cycle 8 will have a two hour premiere on CW February 28. The Sopranos should return to HBO for its final episodes in March, "should" being the key word. The Shield will return with its sixth season on FX April 3. And this is a ways off, HBO's Big Love is scheduled to return on June 3. I miss you TV friends!

This cute picture of my dogs, Kelly and Blitzkrieg running to me after I called their names. They were having a good time playing in the snow.

Random things

I ran 4 miles on my treadmill yesterday while watching The Food Network. Usually I watch Food Network when I run on the treadmill, but yesterday was bad. Two shows that I watched back-to-back were making desserts with chocolate. The first show I made it through alright without really craving chocolate. The second show featured chocolate chip cookies and brownies, this is where things went bad. The last mile was tough and I swore it would never end. I kept thinking about a cookie covered ice cream bar that is in my freezer that I wanted to eat. Upon finishing my 4 mile run, I ate the ice cream bar and it was very delicious.

Overnight, we received a lot of snow. I was hoping I would be able to back my car out of the driveway without any problems. I was outside at 4:30 a.m., brushing the snow off of my car. While brushing, the snow in my driveway was deep it came up to my mid-calf . Once I got in my car, I didn't buckle my seat belt because I knew there was going to be problems. I start backing out and my car gets stuck. I got out of my car and moved the snow away from my tires, while wearing my dress pants. After 15-20 times doing that, I had my car backed up to turn out of the driveway. I was backing out and my car got stuck again. I cleared the snow away from all of the tires and still had no luck. I put the car into drive, reverse and repeated often. There was one point in time that 3/4 of my car was out into the street and the front was stuck in the huge snow drift at the end of the driveway. While my car was sticking out into the street a person driving a Jeep Wrangler was coming into my direction. I was hoping they would stop and help me get my car out. No, they didn't stop. They just sped on by. Finally after many attempts, I was out into the street. Twenty minutes later, I was on my way to work with dirty, wet pants and wet shoes and socks.

I was so grateful when I came home from work and my neighbor said he would use his snow blower to clear the entry to my driveway. If he didn't, I would still probably be outside doing that. While he cleared my entryway, I grabbed my shovel and cleared the back patio, driveway and the front porch.

And last, for Valentine's Day my husband bought me two bouquets of flowers, mixed and roses. It was a very lovely surprise.

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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon

Currently Reading: Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
Up Next: From Here to Eternity, James Jones

Miles run in 2007

I need to run more then 3 days this week. I have to make up mileage that I missed the past two weeks due to my treadmill not working and the bitterly cold days. I'm not as behind as I thought I was, but I'm still behind. Tuesday, I will be back on the treadmill.

Total miles run through February 12:

2004: 41.4
2005: 56
2006: 55
2007: 50

What I have been waiting almost two weeks for

My treadmill is fixed!

After the repair man left around 2:30 pm, I took my daily nap on the couch. I didn't think I would sleep for too long. I was wrong. My nap lasted for 2 hours. When I woke up, that didn't leave me with enough time to stretch, run, lift weights, shower, dry my hair, get dressed and drive to my game.

Saturday morning, I don't have to get up early for anything. I have no games to photograph. No work to get ready for. Instead about a half hour after I wake up tomorrow morning, I will be getting reacquainted with treadmill. We have missed each other.

If my legs are up to it, a 4 mile run might be in my future.

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

Currently Reading: The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Up Next: Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother

Treadmill Update II

My husband had to cancel the treadmill appointment for today. All of the parts haven't arrived yet. They told my husband to call back when all of the parts have arrived. In yesterday's mail, we received the belt. Today the UPS man delivered a huge box. I assume that is the deck. That means we are still waiting on the roller.

The repair company called me and asked if I had received all of the necessary parts to for the treadmill. I told the operator that we haven't. The operator checked the computer and said that all of the parts were shipped out Monday. They were considered that all of them haven't shown up yet. The operator told me to call and schedule an appointment when everything had arrived. You think? I have been waiting for a week and half to get my treadmill fixed. How long does it take to ship three parts across the state?

Since the treadmill still isn't fixed, I went outside to run. It wasn't as cold as yesterday, but still cold, 14 degrees. The run was nice. The sun was shining and the roads were clear of snow. On the way back is when the cold wind hit me. That made the last half of my run chilly. Tomorrow I probably will return outside for a run. I need to make up the mileage I missed last week/this week due to the broken treadmill and the very cold temperatures.

Treadmill update

While washing dishes last night, I received a call on my cell phone. It was an 800 number, so I didn't answer it. I was surprised when that the caller left a voice mail. I checked my message and it was an automated message from the treadmill repair people saying that I needed to make an appointment.

I called the number back. After going through the whole automated system, I finally talked to a human. I told him that I received a message saying that I had to make an appointment. The operator took my information and then asked if I have received the parts to my treadmill. I haven't received them yet. The operator said that the parts have shipped and should arrive Tuesday. If they don't get delivered today, I have to call back and reschedule the appointment for Friday. But for now, an appointment has been made for Wednesday afternoon.

I feel so lazy. I haven't ran since last Tuesday. I wanted to run outside this past weekend. Those plans were foiled since it was so cold. Tomorrow, I hope to be running in my warm basement on the treadmill belt watching TV.

What really happened

This is yesterday's post:

All of the county schools closed today due to the very cold weather. I was assigned to photograph a volleyball game tonight between two county schools. I called the hosting school to find out if the game was still going to be played. The school official told me that the game had just been canceled.

I'm very excited! I get to spend time with my husband who has the day off.

What really happened:

My husband went to a city commission meeting around 5 pm and didn't return until late. I went to the office and worked for 1.5 hours. Not exactly what I would call a night off or spending time with my husband.

Sweet!

All of the county schools closed today due to the very cold weather. I was assigned to photograph a volleyball game tonight between two county schools. I called the hosting school to find out if the game was still going to be played. The school official told me that the game had just been canceled.

I'm very excited! I get to spend time with my husband who has the day off.

On second thought......

I was thinking I would get dressed this morning in all of my warm running clothes and go outside for a run. That thought lasted until I checked The Weather Channel's website.

The forecast for Adrian right now at 8 am is: 0 degrees and with the wind chill it feels like -13 outside. And a later today there is a 60% chance of snow, with 1 to 3 inches accumulation. Sunday is worse. Very cold with snow showers, accumulating 1 to 2 inches . Wind chills MAY approach -20. With winds at 20 to 30 mph. High of 6 degrees.

I think I might wait on running until my treadmill gets repaired. I don't feel like running in frigid weather.

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
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward

Currently Reading: Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
Up Next: The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon

Running......outside

The treadmill repair guy came yesterday. He told my husband, Prognosis: Negative. The treadmill is need of major repair. The belt, roller or rollers and deck need to be replaced. The repair man told my husband if we had to pay for the repair, the parts would cost us around $700. Good thing we added two more years to the warranty.

Usually when the treadmill is waiting for repair, the belt will move and slip of course. I decided I would just walk on the treadmill and hold on to the hand rails so I wouldn't fall off. I started the treadmill and as soon as I stepped on the belt it would stop and not move. That is when I knew the treadmill wouldn't be an option. I did something that I haven't done since early November: got ready to run outside.

I ended up wearing a pair of tights, shorts, windpants, t-shirt, sweatshirt, long sleeve running shirt and a hat. I strapped my GPS to my left wrist and went for my run. The first three minutes I thought I made the biggest mistake. I didn't put any gloves on. I can't run with gloves on, no matter how cold it is. And let me tell you, it was cold. Tempertures were in the 20s, who knows what it was with the windchill. My hands and fingers were cold and starting to tingle. I pulled my sweatshirt and long sleeve running shirt over my hands for protection from the cold. After a half mile or so, my hands started to warm and finally I pulled them out of my sleeves.

The run wasn't too bad. It actually felt good to be outside running on the streets instead of running on a belt to nowhere watching TV. I ran in the street for 95% of the time. Some city residents didn't sholve their sidewalks and I didn't want to take the chance running on snow covered ice. Other then people not taking care of their sidewalk, my only other complant was the batteries in my GPS died around 1.5 miles. When I got home I had to look in my past running logs to find out how long the route was that I took.

Since the treadmill is awaiting its new parts, I will be forced to run outside again probably Friday or Saturday. Its not that bad, but I can't wait until my treadmill is running again.

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