I'm a bum.

No exercising yesterday. Well. I did get on the trainer for 20min, but that probably doesn't count for anything. I don't know what my deal is, because I wasn't busy. I haven't been feeling all that well though...I slept for almost 11 hours last night after taking a 2 hour nap in the middle of the day yesterday. I just feel kinda crappy and don't have the energy to get down to the pool...

I did call a bunch of gyms though, and it seems like I got some leads for spinning classes. I just have to go fill out an application form and get an interview time, but she was already asking me if I could sub for a 6am class and could teach a 12noon class. So, that's pretty cool. It'll be nice to have something new to do that's also helping with my ever-depleted bank account.

I feel like all I'm doing is yawning today. I just can't get going. Too much sleep? I felt like I needed it though. My throat is itchy and my equilibrium isn't right. Blech.

Okay. No more complaining. I promise. I don't even feel THAT bad...just...off.

So now that I'm not complaining, I don't have much to say. Typical.

In response to TriYogini, I wanted to write a bit about what the spinning certification consisted of, but that'll have to wait. I did take my online test yesterday, and got a 98% so I am officially a certified teacher. (Yes, I missed 1 question out of 50...I wish I knew which one, because I think it must have been a mistake. Me, miss something? Never. Hahaha. You know what really would be funny though? If I called Mad Dog Spinning and insisted on knowing which question it was...acting as though I really wanted to know the right answer in order to 'better myself', etc. hahahaha. Not that I don't want to better myself, but that would just be a little ridiculous, and I'm sure the people answering the phone would think I was a nut-job...which wouldn't be THAT far off base, but in general I try not to advertise that fact to the general public.)

Anyway.
Tonight I'm going running, definitely. I'm going to try to get there early enough to do the extra loop, so that I get in 8 miles. I might get my butt down to the pool this afternoon too. If not, definitely first thing tomorrow morning. I haven't been swimming nearly enough since swim camp...that was an overdose, to say the least, and I just can't seem to get myself motivated to swim now. Bummer.

Okay. I'm going to go try to get myself going. Practice time, as usual...

I'm certified!

Heh. That kind of has a funny ring to it, you know? Like I'm 'certifiable' or something.

So (in explanation), yesterday I went to Pittsburgh with Coach Kurt and we both got our spinning certification. So, after a 9-6 class, I'm officially able to teach classes. I'm going to get on calling gyms right away, so hopefully I can at least be put on some sub lists, but also perhaps get some classes of my own to teach pretty soon.

The instructor was really great...I was pleasantly surprised by that. I was petrified it would be some ditz with an annoying voice that I'd have to suffer through for the entire day. Instead though, the teacher did a great job of teaching everyone the basics, led some awesome spinning classes, and overall just did a wonderful job. I only wish we had each gotten some sort of quick chance to lead the class...like a 5 min trial class or something...but that's okay. I won't have a problem leading the class as long as I feel sure of myself, so I just have to thoroughly convince myself that I'm ready.

We also went to Ikea yesterday! I love that place. I was STARVING, so had a little (lack of) patience trouble towards the end (and of course ended up dropping everything on my way to the check out line), but otherwise it was amazing, as per usual. I got a whole new bed set (Baruch had effectively ruined my old one by excess amounts of pee on the white, flowered bed spread), and some other random odds and ends for a very little amount of money. Awesome. I'd been looking for a bed spread that fitted my needs to match my pink/purple walls, but also was 'manly' enough for Phil. I think Ikea finally produced the answer to my dreams.

We ate at 'Fatburger', which sounds disgusting, but it was SO good. It's the 'last real hamburger stand' and originated in California. Maybe it's because I was ridiculously hungry, but man...this burger was great. Kurt got a strawberry shake as well, which kicked some butt too. They've got some guts calling it 'Fatburger', you know? They yell to the back "One Fatty with cheese with Fat Fries and a Fat Shake, whipped." There's no fooling around there...they don't pretend a burger is healthy. In our over-advertised, diet-obsessed culture, that's pretty funny, don't ya think?

Me, Phil, and Liz at the TNT Alumni Reunion on Wednesday...free mac n cheese--yeah! (check out my TTW sweatshirt--I hardly ever take it off!)

Those 3 little words...

I know which three you're thinking of, and yes...they mean a lot.

But.

"You're tough, Su..."

That sure as hell means a lot too.

Said in passing, he could never ever imagine they've been echoing through my head for the past 3 days.

Am I really tough? Why did hearing that make me feel so proud?

Here's the weird part. I do think I'm tough...

I don't go with the flow. I do my own thing. I do what works for me. I march to a drummer with a different beat, and I'm proud of it. I'm tough.

But, if I was so secure in this toughness-status, I wouldn't be obsessing about a little remark that no one else remembers.

So maybe I've just never considered my toughness as part of my athletic persona. Never before has anyone acknowleged that I am tough when it comes to swimming, biking, or running. Maybe, just maybe, it took that one little comment for me to realize to myself that I am indeed tough...even in the arena of triathletes.

In the end, I always push myself up that hill. So, no more denying it. There's no more need to deny it.

I'm tough.

Argh.

Okay, so I know I said I loved running and I felt great during the whole 10m run and blah blah blah...

But here's the thing:
I'm sore now. Really sore.

And yes, it probably has something to do with the fact that I fell on my butt (and knee...and hands...) during mile 9 (oh, did I forget to mention that before? I guess it slipped my mind).

However, I will also admit that I'm also just simply sore from running a good 4-5m further than I had since the Fall Classic Half...yep...Fall. So last night I went running with the Tuesday group in the hopes that I would be able to loosen my legs a bit and return to feeling normal. I ran SLOWLY. It was kind of an ego-stomper to run way slower than last week when I did a TRIPLE workout that day...but it was for noble reasons. I was fixing my legs. I was going to run through this pain. (And I probably couldn't have gone much faster had I tried. I was in pain...have I mentioned the pain?)

So about that athletic pursuit to conquer the sore muscles? Ummm. No. Now I can't move. Once sitting down, I'm staying down. I guess I'm going to try to cycle today, but what happens if I get stuck on the trainer? Is there a number to call for such disasters?

A note on the falling issue... Cleveland Heights sidewalks are really really horrible. I avoid them whenever possible and run on the road. But, to get home I have to run on one sidewalk. One. It's a busy street. (Of course it is; who would fall on a street where no one would see you?) So anyway, I get on the sidewalk and I think to myself..."Look where you're going. Do not look around you...Look at the sidewalk...Oh...I'm almost home. 10m, no problem. I am super woman. Damn. Look at the sidewalk, Su! You're going to fall. No. You won't fall. You are SUPER WOM----" And then I'm rolling on the ground. I look up and of COURSE I see one of my old professors who just happens to be in the Cleveland Orchestra and is also a triathlete (yeah, what are the odds, right?). He pulls his car over to the side of the road and asks if I need help, oh so nicely. Argh. I'm a moron. LOOK WHERE YOU ARE GOING!

It's winter again outside. Cold as a witches ___ (I'll let you fill in the blank), and snowy. Definitely cycling inside today. My poor bike...it deserves someone who will ride it outside. It's only seen the light of day twice and one of those times was in transit from the store to my house. Sigh. In my defense (yes I'm always defending myself), I got the bike just as winter hit. Literally. The day before it arrived, 70s and sunny...the day it came (also my birthday, by the way), 30s and snowy. Typical.

But in time, I know, I will ride the thing. I'll have to...bike camp is coming as soon as spring hits. I've heard we have to turn in our car keys at the beginning of the month. Wildflower bike course, I'm going to STEAM ROLL YOU, 'Nasty Grade Hill' and all.

(Yes, there really is a hill on the Wildflower bike course named 'Nasty Grade'. Yikes. Gotta get that steam roller ready.)

Running High...

Okay, so I REALLY need to be practicing right now. Time is short today, so I've got to keep moving.

But, just a quick word about my first-semi-long-run-in-way-too-long-of-a-time run...

10 miles this morning, guys...and it felt great. I kept about a 9min/m pace, which isn't amazing, but I wasn't really pushing at all. Just enjoying myself...the sun...and the fact that I was out there. And I have got to say...swimming is awesome, but you don't get that high you get from running. I feel like I'm at the top of the world, which is a little dangerous because I'm perfectly aware I'll have to come down from my mountaintop at some point. But for now...I'm enjoying my peak.

Running rocks.

I'm stubborn.

This is not a new realization...just something that gets rediscovered every once in a while.

I don't think I mind. Being stubborn actually helps me a lot, most of the time. It can be mistaken for perseverance (perhaps it's pretty similar?); it means I can gut it out through the toughest of rejections (whether it be not getting past the first round ['walking'] at an audition, or getting a stupid cramp in the 2nd mile of the run in a triathlon).

But yesterday, I had a recurrance of stubborness that isn't quite as helpful...harmful, even.

We had a 4 hour Total Immersion clinic...and let me be the first one to say...I am NOT a Total Immersion swimmer. My head is more up than down, and I reach all the way out before pulling water. I didn't know about these differences before I went to the clinic. I thought I was going to get help with getting faster. But, no. Basically, the lady (okay, chick...she was 23) was telling me I was going to have to re-learn to swim. Maybe I was overly emotional about this after the past 2 weeks of extreme-swimming, but I just couldn't take it. I don't want to re-learn to swim. I'm not the fastest in the group, in any group...but I'm kinda fast sometimes...and relearning? My goodness. I don't think so. I've worked for the past YEAR on perfecting these techniques that she says are all wrong. I was annoyed, and I'm ashamed to admit my frustration was probably obvious.

But here's my problem with just throwing out what she was saying:

When I was just a little girl learning to play the flute, the granddaddy of all flute playing told me a story. When he was a kid, taking lessons, he was instructed to do something that was contrary to what he had been previously taught. He couldn't do it. He hated it. He threw it out. He went to his next lesson and confronted his teacher...he didn't need that advice; he knew a different, better way to accomplish the same thing. His teacher looked at him, and very calmly asked him how he could know which way was better until he had successfully conquered both...and then excused him from his lesson until he had done so.

So, the granddaddy of flute went home, and practiced both methods until he felt equally comfortable with both of them...and I don't remember which one he picked, but of course...that isn't the point.

The obvious point is that I can't possibly know which method of swimming works better for me until I can do both.

So I guess that's why I'm frustrated. I have all this new imformation, and maybe I'm being lazy, but I don't want to re-evaluate everything.

But, I will. I'm stubborn.

I've been out of it lately.

I don't know why...
maybe the excess amount of chlorine?

I just can't seem to get motivated to do much. I can't blame it on the weather though, because it's been totally awesome outside. January, and 60 sunny degrees?! I should be pumped about going for a run...but I just can't seem to muster it up.

But enough of that.
Yesterday was the last double of swim camp (yep, Cy...we're total dorks!)...Bryce and I had talked about getting together for a run before the 2nd swim, and he almost convinced me of it, but then he didn't call back (something about dinner with a girlfriend or something), and I was more than happy to skip it. So, 3100 in the morning, and 2900 at night...6000 yards again. The night workout ended up being only 2800, but I couldn't handle the 5900 total, so I did an extra 100 at the end, concentrating on bilateral breathing. (Yes it's silly, but I have a number-obsession-thing...but...who would end a run at 4.9m? Wouldn't you want to get to 5m?)

I think bilateral breathing is going to be the key for me. I know it doesn't matter for some people, but I have trouble navigating in open water, so I think getting my stroke more even by making myself breathe on the right will really help. Despite that it's harder breath-wise right now, I still feel more balanced when breathing on both sides.

I kind of slacked on the morning workout. We were supposed to do a 400 at 85% and then do 2x200 and 4x100 faster than the 200 and 100 splits...but my first 400 was pretty lame, so the whole thing ended up being too easy. Oh well. I did the yards...and I've done a ridiculous amount of swimming this week (15,700 yards, and I still have 3 worksouts to do!). No need to feel guilty about one wimpy workout. I pushed it very hard last night, so I made up for it anyway...

I'm doing 100's on a 1:50 send off relatively easily now. I'd still like to be able to get that down to 1:45...

Anyway.
Workout overload, I think.

I got my plane tickets for the Mardi Gras half and also to get to Philadelphia to play in Haddonfield. So, that's all finalized, which is nice. I just need to find a place to stay in Philadelphia. I have SO many relatives there, but it's hard to find someone who a)doesn't have a cat and b)doesn't mind 3 visitors (me, Phil, and a dog named Baruch) for an entire week and a day.

Last night after swimming, we all went out to get some food (dinner at 10pm? I never thought I'd be one to last that long...), and I was SO cranky. I tried to cover it, and I hope I did a relatively good job, but I was just feeling very irritable. I think it was just because I was tired; I hope that's why. I would hate to think that I'm becoming some horrible bitch or something...

I think I need a good, long rest day...no exercise...so that I look forward to it again, instead of dreading it with every bone of my body. It's not even about the pain...I'm just worn out.

Argh. Maybe Monday?

(Bold, can I have some of your chocolate?)

The pain...the pain...

Somehow, that's all I can think of today.

Yesterday, I swam TWICE for swim camp (can't give up now...just a half week left!), and ran 6 HILLY miles. We did it all as a group, so I actually had a blast...and was pretty damn proud of myself when I finished the 6000(!) yards in the pool at 10 at night. But, my goodness...today I'm pretty freaking sore. I had to swim again today, and let me just say that I have never before been so close to crying in the pool. My shoulders feel like there is a knife going through them when I move, so you can only imagine the whole swimming thing...but, I managed my 3700 for today. The only way I got through it was to keep telling myself I wasn't going to finish the whole thing, and that the set I was doing was the last one...and then just making myself do 'one more'...it worked, even though it's a kind of pathetic way to get through a work out.

Tomorrow, 2 more swims, and then the intense part of swim camp is over...'one a days' feel like nothing now. Pretty crazy, eh?

In non-triathlon related news...I'm going to play for Haddonfield, afterall. Thanks for telling me I had to...

I managed to work out all the conflicts, unbelievably. I'm going to fly right from the Mardi Gras Half to Philadelphia for the week, so I won't be fooling around with coming back to Cleveland for a night or anything silly like that.

I can't do the fundraiser on February 6, unfortunately (or, fortunately for my belly, I guess...). I'm hoping that it'll just have to be postponed. I'm thinking about doing it after the cycling workshop in March. Things will have calmed down for me by then, so I feel like it's a good idea to wait that long, even though I wanted to do it while the excitement was still there. If for no other reason, then I need to wait to save myself from going crazy trying to fit everything in. I'm still thinking about the best way to go about it; how to advertise, etc.

Instead of staying the Northeast through all of my auditions, I'm going to come back here and teach for a few days each week, and then fly back to the Northeast for Thursday-Saturday. It's a little crazy, but it saves me A LOT of driving, and the tickets I found were cheap enough, so I'm going to be making more money this way than just driving everywhere all month and not getting to teach. It's insane that flying is cheaper than driving, now that the gas prices are so high...

So, it's not going to be an 'easy' month, but I'll survive. Everything worked out just fine. I'll just run when I'm on the road and save the biking and swimming for the days I'm in Cleveland. It'll be good for me to get a few more runs in every week. I've got the swimming down, so I'll just make sure to hit the bike hard core in March.

It'll be fun to get to play in a new orchestra...any orchestra, for that matter...

ANYWAY...
I'm heading out to the bookstore with Ta soon. I haven't seen her since before winter break (even though we live next door from each other!)...it'll be fun to catch up and hear how her trip to France was...jealous, anyone? I am!

Okay, signing off here. I just don't feel interesting. I'm tired, I think. Hmmm...wonder how that could have happened? ...

Foiled again!

So, the pool was closed today.

Yeah, I should have known.

I took the garbage out last night too. No, the garbage did not get picked up this morning.

I knew there would be no mail though.


So now I'm a day behind in swim camp. I guess I'll have to do a double on Wednesday or Friday (we already have doubles scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday). Argh. I should have driven out to swim with my coach early this morning, but I thought I was SO slick, getting that extra sleep and swimming on my own...because who needs all that extra driving, right? I'm perfectly capable of swimming on my own. But no. I'm not. Not when the stupid pool is closed.

Okay. I'm over it. I did about 50 minutes on the bike trainer instead, while watching 2 episodes of Arrested Development (the funniest show EVER, by the way...everyone must go right out to their local video store and get the DVDs). That's probably better anyhow...I hadn't been on a bike in way too long. It was good for me to get a little diversity, even if it was forced.

Tomorrow, swimming early in the morning with the TNT crowd, then running in the evening, and then (gulp) swimming again at Peak at night. I've never done 3 real workouts in a day (aside from race day, of course)...I might collapse. I'm already anticipating the meal I'm going to allow myself after the second swim. Bread bowl? yep. Chocolate chip cookie? two!

Tonight are the Golden Globe Awards...my cousin is nominated for Best Actor, and Good Night and Good Luck for Best Movie and Best Screenplay. Cross your fingers!

As advised...the fundraising letter...any suggestions on how to make it better?

Dear Friends, Family, and Teachers:

As most of you know, I have become increasingly involved with the sport of triathlon over the past year and a half. I have never before been an athletic person, and the fact that I now (once in a while) dare to call myself an ‘athlete’ is just amazing to me. It makes me smile, giggle, and then smile again. I love the new groups of people I’ve met; I love how strong I feel; I love the look on people’s face when I tell them that ‘I’m doing a Half-Ironman Triathlon’.

The Half-Ironman Triathlon – swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and then run 13.1 miles (70.4m in all) – definitely a challenge! I’m doing all of this at the Wildflower Triathlons in Monterey County, CA—the heart of Steinbeck country. Now, those of you who know me well know that John Steinbeck is my favorite author, a million times over. I must admit that getting to race and spend time in the area that in which he lived and wrote about definitely one of the drawing factors of this race. It’s known as the ‘Woodstock of Triathlons’, and of course the flower-child in me loves that too. All of us camping with thousands of other triathletes…it’s going to be awesome.

‘All of us?’, you say? Yes, I’m doing this with Team in Training again. Along with the sport of triathlon, I’ve become increasingly dedicated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Society is such a well regarded charity, and they have done SO much to help with cancer research and patient services. The relative five-year survival rate for people with leukemia, for example, has tripled in the past 40 years. Hodgkin lymphoma is now considered one of the most curable forms of cancer, thanks to radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of the two. This in and of itself is a staggering statistic, but just imagine how much more can be done. We CAN find a cure.

Just for a bit of background, Team in Training is a corporation that supports Leukemia and Lymphoma research to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma – and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Team in Training is the Leukemia and Lymphona Society’s biggest fundraiser! It’s completely invaluable to the LLS; how could I not help out? This program provides me with professional coaching, supervision, and a group of teammates to encourage me as I train for the Wildflower Half Ironman Triathlon on May 6, 2006.

Over the summer, I worked in the Team in Training office at the LLS of Northern Ohio, and it was such a wonderful experience. I learned a lot about how a non-profit group functions, and of course the office was filled with 100% giving people. It really was a joy to be part of the LLS in that way.

For this event, I’ve also volunteered to be a ‘Mentor’. This means that I’m assigned a group of people from the team, and am just there to help out. I’m sharing what I learned from doing the program last year, and I just kind of give them that little friendly push to make sure their fundraising is going according to schedule.

As part of the program, I have committed to raising at least $4,400 to help find a cure for these horrible diseases. Of that fundraising, more than 75% will go directly to research and patient services.

Please help me by contributing. Whatever you can give will help – even the smallest donations add up. Please complete the enclosed sponsor form and send it back to me with your tax-deductible contribution. Or, if you would rather, you could simply go to www.active.com/donate/tntnoh/curlysu and donate online. Also, if you are part of a company that is interested in sponsoring, just let me know – I have corporate donation forms.

Feel free to email or call me with any questions you might have – or just to talk! Thank you in advance for your support.

Thank you also for being part of my life.

Susanna Loewy
(address, email, and phone number here)

Coach Curly

So, while in NY I met up with an awesome flute player friend...and of course we started talking about all this running and triathlon business...and I don't know if I convinced her, or if she already wanted to, but somehow she said she wanted to start running again.

She's going to pick out a half marathon for the summer, and I'm going to set up a schedule for her, complete with B races in the Manhattan area. Of course, I'll steal heavily from other people's marathon schedules...but how else do you do it, anyway? Everybody is just modifying something that was created by someone else...

I'll probably use some Hal Higdon, but then replace some with a fair amount of cross training (because I remember how torturous it was to only run all the time, and it's a lot safer in terms of avoiding injuries).

And of course, I'll definitely get the schedule checked by people who know better than me.

But ANYWAY, I'm going to join her for the big race. It'll be a blast. I'm so excited to be able to share this thing I've been so enthusiastic about.

I just can't figure out what to do...

So.

Good news: I got asked to play with the Haddonfield Symphony.

Bad news: The dates are HORRIBLE. It's right before the Rutgers and Yale audition, and the day after the Mardi Gras Marathon. And, it would mean I wouldn't be in town for the camping workshop, and therefore wouldn't be able to do that fundraiser I was so pumped about.

Plus, it would mean that I'm travelling for basically the entire month of February (workouts will go to hell), and I wouldn't be able to teach (and so no $).

But. It's a playing opportunity, and that doesn't happen all that often. And, if I'm in that area next year, it would be good to start making those contacts now. So I should probably just do it and take money out of my savings if I have to and just suffer through all the travelling. But... ugh. It just feels like too much. I'm surprised that I actually don't want to do it. I'd rather stay here and get readjusted to my life (I feel like I've been gone since Thanksgiving) and just get settled into a routine.

That's the real problem, I think. I thrive on routine (yeah, a little sick, I know), and if I do this, the month of February will be completely void of any sort of routine. I wouldn't be able to swim or bike (I'm not just going to be in one place where I could find a temporary gym...I'll be all over the Northeast for the different auditions)...and I just don't know if I can handle that.

I asked the director if I can miss the first rehearsal...then I would be able to teach that week on Monday and Tuesday (maybe make all my other students cram into those days?) and then also do the whole fundraiser thing. Is it ridiculous that I care so much about this?

I just think that I have responsibilities here in Cleveland...and I made it clear to my students that I would be gone some of the time, so they should be flexible in terms of lessons...but I live here, you know? There are parts of my life that I just don't feel comfortable stepping out on for the majority of a month. I don't want to lose what I have here.

So. If the director allows me to miss the Monday rehearsal, it could be a solution. I'm feeling overwhelmed though, and that just makes me want to crawl back in bed and not deal with anything. Not the best method of survival, I know.

The NY trip was alright. Thanks so much for all your well wishes. I had a good lesson, so that made everything worth it. Actually, I had a great time with my grandparents and aunt and it was awesome to see some old friends in the city. I guess the only bad thing is that now I'm exhausted. I feel like a truck ran over me, actually...and also like I haven't gotten anything done in way too long of a time. I know that's not true (I was only gone for 52 hours...sheesh.), but that's just how it feels. I slept all afternoon and had the most disconcerting dreams and so I just feel...well...disconcerted.

Sorry to complain. Nothing is all that bad, I know.

Tomorrow, a long run and a Time Trial 1500m swim. And some practicing and a tiny bit of teaching. Maybe all that normalcy will make me functional again.

Off to NY

I'm up (at 4am!) to practice and get on the airplane. I'm going to NY for a couple days for a lesson with the teacher at Rutger's. Kind of a 'pre-audition'-audition thing.

Wish me luck.

I actually SHOULD have a computer, as my grandparents recently bought a new one. (No more typing without a screen!) But, no promises on the quantity of posts, as it's always hard when you're not on your own time and living at someone else's house.

In any case...be back Saturday, so it's a short lived break.
Have a great end of your week!

Ding! (Lightbulb over head goes on...)

So last night, we had our Team in Training swim workshop. I lived through the embarassment of having to watch myself swim on the video. I was surprised...I don't look that bad at all. I have this vision of myself when I swim that is...well...not what I saw on the video, so it was definitely a nice self esteem booster.

But! This is not the stuff of the lightbulb. We always go out to eat as a group after our meetings...it establishes group bonding, and it also gives people an incentive to coming in general (come to the meeting and learn about swimming drills, and then you can go get a beer afterwards! yeah!).

ANYWAY! At the most frequented restaurant, there is this "Monster Burger". Two pounds of meat, lots of toppings, a basket of french fries, and also one of onion rings. So...of course last night I'm bragging about being able to eat a lot (note to self: Keep Mouth Shut!), etc etc and the challange to consume this Monster came up. This thing costs $19.99...the regular burger there is $5.99, to put things in perspective.

Keep this in mind: If you finish the burger, you get a free T-Shirt, AND (more importantly) you get your name on a plaque on the wall! I'm a sucker for stuff like that. I want my name on that wall!

People started volunteering to put money down and then came my genius idea. After the next meeting (the camping workshop--Monday, February 6), I'm going to have a fundraiser (for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, of course)...and I WILL eat that burger. I know this is kind of a gross prospect, but I'm a relatively small person, and I think that if I can possibly fill the restuarant, I can make a lot of money for the Society through this. I'll just fast all day and it won't be so gross...it probably takes care of my calories for the day, but it couldn't be MUCH more than that, especially considering I'll still be doing my workout that day...

So! Here starts my advertising campaign. February 6, people. Around 8:15...if you're in the Cleveland area, be there! I'm not asking for a lot of money. Just a small donation, and you can come and have fun and meet some cool people, and of course eat a good dinner...no one else is required to eat the disgusting burger, I promise. The restaurant is the Main Street Grill in N. Royalton. It's right on Rt. 82. It's SUPER easy to find.

Let me know if you have any ideas to add to this fundraiser. I'm hoping this will put a dent in my fundraising, which has obviously been totally lacking this time around. I just haven't felt comfortable sending out another letter. Partially because I was so late with the thank you notes, but also because people gave me SO much last time, and it just doesn't feel like it's been long enough...

But anyway, this seems like it'll be fun. People definitely got a kick out of it last night, so I just have to keep that enthusiasm up for a few weeks. Expect more shoutouts...

Firefox rules. IE drools.

So, when using a friend's computer, I discovered that when my sidebar appears on the bottom, after all the old posts...but only on Internet Explorer. Firefox works perfectly.

I have stupid IE and have been trying to fix it, but with very unsuccessful results. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks, guys...

Thanks for all the congratulations...it made me feel like a superstar...

[warning: scheduling post coming up...mainly to get myself organized in my head...feel free to ignore.]

So, I've got my schedule for the week figured out, I think. Swim camp Monday (plus spinning), Tuesday (plus running), Wednesday (plus some time on my bike?)...then probably nothing at all on Thursday because I'll be in New York City all day and won't have a place to settle...But, running at my grandparent's house on Friday, and an 8-10m run on Saturday (the half marathon is coming up WAY too fast..), and then just the 1500 time trial for swim camp on Sunday (maybe a bit of bike time if I'm not dead).

So, it's pretty different from what the 'official schedule' says, but...well...life is getting in the way this week. I won't have a place to swim in New York, and it's really just silly to insist on finding one. I'm perfectly capable of figuring out how to fit everything in. Next week will be back to regularly scheduled programming (complete with a Tuesday night run! it'll have been 6 weeks...yikes!).

And for the flute, I think I'm getting to where I need to be for these auditions. I need to decide on an etude for Rutgers, like...yesterday...
But, I think that if I can get in 3-4 good hours a day, I'll be totally fine. It's just a matter of getting that time in consistently, and not just every other day...

Hence, all this boring scheduling talk. If I have it planned, its more apt to happen, and I won't spend the entirety of the morning on the computer, and then complain about how teaching is taking over my life in the afternoon...

Time management. Yuck. But...necessary, eh?

Anyway.
Enough of that stuff.
I should do as they say and 'put my money where my mouth is'...aka...I should go practice.

Curly Su...exiting, and going to play the flute.

I love my friends, but...

They're freaking fast. So, it was kind of fun to do a race where they didn't kick my butt for once... even it was only because they weren't there.

Poor TriSaraTops. They didn't end up counting the bike because of poor calibration. I was on one of those bikes that wasn't working well, and so I was pumped as all hell...because the stupid thing said I only went 4.86m when everyone else was going like 6-7m...I know the bike isn't exactly my forte, but I'm not THAT bad.

So, I got the little blue ribbon for my age group, and was 2nd place overall (.096 behind the female winner)...I know the results are totally skewed due to the lack of bike results, but that's okay. There's still a little bit of pride attached (it's only the second time I've gotten a triathlon award, so I'm allowed to gloat a bit until it becomes rude and the necessity of modesty kicks in).

Anyway...it was weird to bike, run, and then swim, but it worked. I didn't drown, and that's mainly what I was worried about.

I ran 2.58m, which I was pretty damn happy with. A 7:45min/m pace is awesome for me. Next indoor tri (it's at the end of Feb, I believe), I'm going to try for 2.7m. We'll see.

The swim, on the other hand, kind of stinked. I did fine...but just didn't get in the laps I thought I would. I didn't feel tired (okay, my legs were shot from biking and running first and I wasn't kicking very much at all), but I just wasn't moving fast enough. Kurt says its because I'm tired from swim camp (I've got to get slower before I'll get faster or some cockeyed thing like that), so I guess I'm going to believe him instead of starting to let myself think that that I'm getting worse. No way....right? The water in the pool was SO hot...and it tasted totally disgusting. I'm not kidding myself...I know people pee in every pool, but this one even tasted like pee...and it was gross. So, there's every excuse in the book...guess I should just own up, eh?

When did I get so competitive about this stuff, anyway? I was REALLY pissed when I thought I was going to lose because of the bike. Pretty silly, you know? Time to get a grip.

Anyway. I guess that about covers it for the indoor tri race report. Oh! Kurt busted up the place and won the whole thing by a landslide...I've got a local celebrity for a friend (and a coach, eh?)! The other TNT kids that went did really well too...it was fun to see them there. And of course, getting to meet TriSaraTops rocked the house. We run about the same pace, so we'll be good running buddies...maybe I can convince her to start coming to the Tuesday night runs??

Note to Self

Next time, when you think you're done with the Nutella jar...wash it out...put it in the TRASH...and don't try to retrieve it. Because, this business of putting it to the side of the counter with the recycling just isn't cutting it. You know what the latter leads to? Scraping of the Nutella jar over a sink, with challah in your other hand...chocolate all over your face and a sudden realization that you've managed to consume half a loaf of challah and have basically licked the jar clean. Damn Nutella.

But, tomorrow is the indoor tri. I was just carb loading, right? ha.
Unfortunately, the bike is measured this time around (somehow they found a gym with spinning bikes that record distance...), so I'm going to get my butt whipped. No ribbons, I'm afraid...

Oh...OH! I'm a movie star.

Well. Not quite. (you knew that was coming, right?) But, I'm going to be on the TNT swimming videos of the Northern Ohio Chapter for years to come. I helped out Coach Kurt today and swam some drills while he recorded me. I'm definitely NOT looking forward to watching that video at the swim workshop on Tuesday though. Now, I'm a ham. It's almost embarrassing, actually. I usually have absolutely no problem with being photographed or videoed. (I actually pose. like, hey-- look at me I'm 3 years old and pose for pictures)...but...with a swim cap on? and goggles? and a stupid speedo? (yes, it would be worse if I was a guy, I'll give you that one) All I can say is...blech...at least I didn't have to demonstrate my ridiculously off flip turns... And, if worse comes to worse, I'll just step outside during the workshop.

Now for the music comment of the day...auditions suck. They are a completely off-base way to measure who should be in an orchestra, not to mention a stupidly unfair process. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of watching other people go through it, and I'm sick of having to do it. It's not worth it. I swear each audition must take at least a month off your life span. It's that bad. There needs to be an alternative way. I don't have the answers. And even if I did...no one would listen. But...it's just dumb. Enough.

I've been practicing well though...more piece, less exercises. Not only will this increase my chances of getting to live for free in Colorado over the summer (right, Bold?), but it also makes me more prone to actually practicing new things...instead of the same ole crap every single day...and never getting past that beginning crap because it's just too boring to finish. So. Get it going. That's my new flute motto. Kind of lame, but it works.

In other news, I babysat last night. As a preface...I am not good with kids. I don't hate them or anything...I just don't 'connect' with them like some people do. So...I had forgotten how to play. What do you do with the doll? I don't know what it's supposed to say or do and I was just kind of lost. Have I lost my imagination? I could play cards just fine...and watching a movie was great...even the bedtime story had its moments of cute charm. But, the playing? I just didn't get it. The girl quickly realized this and asked for some dinner...she was a good kid. I'm sure I was a total brat in similar situations. (I definitely remember quite a few 'I want my MOMMMY!!!' incidences.) So, no more babysitting for a while (ever?). It's not my thing.

Which is kind of funny, because teaching (at times) is. But teaching...well...you're not at the mercy of someone else. You're the boss. And it's rewarding to see people improve. I don't pretend it's all because of me, but I like to think that I'm helping...and I'm at the very least inspiring them to work at it a bit...and guiding them to work in a manner that will help the most.

And for a new kind of teaching...I signed up for a spinning certification class. I'm totally pumped about it because it'll (hopefully!) allow me to make a little bit of extra money doing something that I was doing anyhow. So, as of February 11, I'll be a spinning teacher. I'm going to do some research over the next month about which places I could possibly pick up a class...or maybe just substitute. Maybe it'll be a lot harder than I think to pick up the work, but it's worth a shot. At minimum, it'll give me some good ideas about how to conduct my own spinning classes on my trainer.

So. That's all the news from Lake Erie....where the women are pasty and the men are crazy. And the kids? We'll leave them out of the picture (for now). The dogs are still man's best friend, by the way.

Yeah, remember that complaining I wrote about?

Well, here it is.

Day 2 into swim camp and my shoulders already feel like hell. Especially my right one. Yeah, I know this is because my right side STILL isn't really right form-wise. grrr. I blame the flute. I think I blame the flute for most things these days...but...this one might just be valid. You don't play the flute straight on, you know? You're twisted a bit to the left side. So, my right shoulder is perpetually more forward...how could that NOT mess up my swimming form?

So anyway...back to my complaining. Yeah, so my shoulders hurt and so does my arch in my foot...which has hurt in the past, but not from swimming. That's usually a running thing, but my running has been pretty low volume lately, so I don't know what's up. This swim camp thing isn't all it's cracked up to be. I better be FREAKING FAST when it's over. 14 workouts in 14 days. (2 Saturdays off, but 2 workouts on the second Tuesday and Thursday) ack!

I still have to do the running/biking stuff that I'm supposed to be doing, but I'm going to go with the low end of the options (4m when the schedule says 4-6m and so on)...

Anyway. Enough about that stuff.
I'm tired.
I know I said I wouldn't sleep after getting up early to exercise...but how am I supposed to function when I feel like a zombie. Wouldn't it be better to just get a bit of sleep and then have the rest of the day to operate on a higher level?? Is this just rationalization? It's pretty convincing, if it is. My electric blanket is on, and my bed just seems SO tempting...

Okay, since I spent so much time here already...

I was going to unpack tonight. Right when I got back. Straight to my bedroom to unpack.

But...just a quick sneak at the email, right? And I might as well get the bills over with...and...well, my camera is right here...I'll just upload these pictures quickly. And let me check a couple blogs...I'm out of the loop...I should just catch up quickly. And, since those pictures are right here, I'll just stick 'em on my blog super quickly...

and there went 2 hours...
So, I give in. I'm not going to completely unpack tonight. (That should have been obvious when I didn't immediately go downstairs to finish unpacking the car...yes, Baruch's bed and a couple of other bags are still downstairs...but, might as well at least hold on to hope of being productive for as long as I can, right?)

Umm...anyone know how to put keys back on a laptop keyboard? I plucked one off. On purpose. I wanted to see how easily they came off because I want to clean the keyboard. They come off easily, by the way. Putting them back on though...not so easy. Now my keyboard is still sticky (okay, so I eat breakfast by the computer...sorry...geez), and I'm minus a right arrow key. Way more annoying than you would ever think. Why didn't I just go with a more useless key? Like 'home' or 'end'....argh. Anyway, if anyone has any genius tips, it would be much appreciated.

So, I'm back. Obviously.
I'm scattered. Also kind of obvious, I fear.

I had a great break...3 weeks...almost too long. I feel like it's been light years since I've had my normal life in Cleveland, and so now I'm not quite sure what that normal life actually was...
I'll rediscover it, I'm sure.

Swim camp starts tomorrow! It's supposed to be next week, but I'm leaving at the end of the week to go to New York and won't be able to swim, so I'm going to put in some extra time now. Swim camp, by the way, is when you swim every weekday of the week. It's for the next 2 weeks. Expect complaining in the form of... Owww! My shoulders... I can't even lift my arms to play the flute. etcetc. You get the picture.

Home was awesome. So much so that I considered moving home for the first time since I left when I was 15. But alas...I'm not going to. I'm an adult, and I can acknowledge the fact that I only wanted to move home because I was being taken care of and didn't have to deal with the daily annoyances of having responsibilities. I suppose it would actually be possible to move home during the summer transition time (when is this period in my life in which I don't know what I'm doing the following year going to be OVER??!), and I'm considering that. Move down to Louisiana for the summer, save some money, just chill there...it sounds appealing. But...I might just go crazy. Going home for the summer is definitely NOT staying there for 2 weeks and regretting every lost moment. Going home for the summer is a committment. It includes U-Hauls and a part time job and a realization that it's REALLY FREAKING HOT there over the summer and I already know none of it is going to happen. Oh well. It was a nice thought. Anyone else (in the north??) want to give me a free place to live over the summer??

Here's the ad:

'Fun 24 yr old looking for summer sponser. Said person must provide housing and food. In return 24 yr old will provide hours of flute playing and an occasional sweaty smile.'

Think I'll get any takers??


I got my hair cut. It looks good, I guess. It's just a haircut. Why did it flip me out so much? She just kept cutting, and I started squirming, and she was still cutting and WHY IS SHE CUTTING SO MUCH OFF??? I SAID I ONLY WANTED IT 'SHAPED'. I'm trying to grow my hair, dammit...I just need it to stay healthy and not look like a huge mushroom attached to my face. Those are my only requests. Nix both the split ends and the fungus look.
So, my hair is shorter than I wanted. She straightened it, of course. 'Curly' Su no more. In Louisiana (Lafayette?), curly hair is not accepted. You must control it. And then flip out the ends in nice little curls. Curls are only to be where you put them. I actually think it looks good. Once a year. It took HER 45 minutes. Can you even imagine what it would take for me to accomplish something even half as successful?? Funny thing is that I had to go to renew my driver's license later that day, and so I'm forever documented with 'Cajun Hair'. I'm not insulting it. Like I said, I think it looks good. It's just not me. But, you gotta hand it to people who have the patience to spend that much time on their hair each day. The girl would have DIED had she known I jumped in the way-too-chlorinated pool 3 hours later. heh.

So, after the Louisiana episodes of my vacation, I flew back to Cleveland for one night and then drove to Lafayette, Indiana to see Phil for New Year's Eve (yep, Phil and I are both from different 'Lafayette's'...funny, eh?). I had a great time at his house...got to spend a day with his sister's little pug dogs (are ANYTHING as cute?), and then just chilled with Phil. I met some of his high school friends, which was really nice, and simply spent time with his family. It was relaxing, and I'm very glad I went.

Now, I'm back. I have a few days before work starts again, so I can kind of get going with everything kind of slowly. I'm pumped about having a new routine with everything. Exercising early. Really early. Wil early. Not going back to sleep. Practicing in the morning. Eating a bit of lunch and perhaps taking a short nap. Practicing more. Teaching. Exercising again if there is a group activity planned. Practicing more if not. And of course, spending time with Phil and Baruch.

I've got a nice life. No need for extensive resolutions, but I've got a couple. They're private, but rest assured...I'll keep 'em.

Happy New Year.

Hiatus

Argh. I thought I was just going to put up a quick couple of videos and pictures and write later...but now I'm having trouble getting the videos to work. Frustration is mounting...grrr...it's just silly family stuff, but I WANTED IT UP!!!!!

One more try...I got one to work last time, but not both...breathing slowly...trying not to be ANGRY>....

hanukkah, night 4