Summing up DC 2005

I was reading in an article about what makes a Washingtonian and I realized that I do have some of the mentioned characteristics. What I like about DC is that it has an identity. Granted our reputation is not as grand as NYC but definitely more unique than say San Diego or Jacksonville. So I have come up with my own short list of identifying factors of Washington.

1. The daily specials are named after lobbyists or politicians eg. Pat's pot roast, DeLay's double decker turkey club
2. Suits come in two colors: black and gray
3. Tom Siestemia's word is golden
4. Everybody has an opinion.
5. Habib makes the best burritos
6. We all know the best place to score good cocaine is a Senator's neighborhood
7. Everybody is a Federal employee or a consultant
8. We all know and love Tai Shan
9. Bush is a four letter word
10. A mother under 30 raises eyebrows
11. It is an un-spoken rule that on the escalators it is walk left, stand right
12. Most of the bus boys, cabbies, and panhandlers have Master's degrees
13. It's National not Reagan
14. Your familiar with the term DINK
15. We all talk politics yet very few of us actually care

Movin'

I hate moving! Actually I hate packing. I had to take a break from the tedium of stuffing boxes. It is so hard for me to decide what gets packed and what goes. Like what do I do with my bowl full of pennies? I don't want to throw away money but I don't want to lug the thing around with me. Banks charge a fee for taking change and nobody is impressed when you buy your coffee with pennies. God what a dilemma! What about my junk drawer? What box does that go into? God knows that I have raided that drawer in panic moments looking for tampons, safety pins, buttons, quarters, twisty ties, rolling papers, extra keys, advil, gum, cork screw, matches, batteries, etc. I can't just throw those things away! I would not be here today without the saving grace of my drawer.

What really ticks me off is that all of our stuff is going into storage. Not accessible storage but PODS storage. Which means, once its gone...Its gone until you are ready to have it shipped back to you. God I can see myself now...Trying to break in to the storage to retrieve my favorite panties that I packed.

On a good note, my dog got groomed and she looks so good. The best $100 I have spent in a long time.

My cutsie wootsie panda

My panda likes to play in a bucket filled with hay. It is THE MOST adorable thing to watch. He gets inside of it and squirms around and falls out on his head. One of the docs disagreed in the cuteness of my panda and showed me a picture of his newborn grandchild! YIKES! Shit those newborns are ugly...how is that cute? I have never really looked a a picture up close. Shit! Did we all look like that? We compared pictures side by side and in the end he agreed...baby pandas are cuter than blotchy newborns. Duh...anybody can see that! At about 1 they start looking human, before that...not so much. As Todd informed me the thing to say when you see a newborn is "Why that is a fine baby!". That way you don't have to lie and say it's cute. Todd, your so smart! That is why I love you!

I could just stare at my panda all day, he makes me smile as I perform boring statistical tests. Having the ability to watch the panda while I do work is a perk. I have to make sure my next job has streaming video:)

Paaaarttttyyyy

What a Party! Holy SMOKES! You know that it was good when the last person leaves at 5am Sunday morning. The hangover I had actually speaks a lot. When is the last time you had that pulsating pain right behind your eyes? Yep, I had that and then some. Here is a count that I did at various points in the night.

9pm:
28 people
8 bottles of red
6 bottles of white
24 beers
1 L Rum
1 L Jack
1/2 L of Wild Turkey


12am
29 people
1 bottle red
1 bottle white
some liquor
lots of making out (including in both the host's beds!) You know who you are!
about 20 really FUCKED up people

5am
10 people
NO ALCOHOL
Really FUCKED up people including my old boss with really purple lips
the wierd ethnic bottle of whiskey that has been sitting around was even gone

noon next day
ONE BIG FAT HEADACHE

All in all, I think everybody had a great time. Thanks to everyone for coming when I know there were a bizzillion parties going on this past weekend. We feel really loved! I had a great time and I realized that if we decide to stay in DC it will be for one reason, and that is because of our peeps. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such interesting and talented friends. I must have done something right in my past life:)

Shaving legs

My dental hygienist tried to make a comparison about flossing and brushing. She said that not flossing after brushing was equivalent to only shaving one leg. I must have looked blankly at her for some time because she replied back "you don't shave only one leg do you?" Well duh, of course I only shave one at a time who has the attention span and tenacity to do both?

American Public Health Association

Ok, I am tired! I have spent the past 2 days (2 more to go) walking around the Philly convention center trying to increase my knowledge of health care. The more I learn, the more I realize this world is fucked. I mean it...I am enlightened but also discouraged, there is so much to fix. We have some real problems and even the brightest minds are scratching their heads. I feel really small here. I am surrounded by the health gods and I am mere peon compared to them. The only people who want my time are starving grad students who want to intern at the PC. When I see the crowd, I duck into the ladies room. Its like I have "I WORK AT THE PC" tattooed across my head. They want my attention (actually they want an internship) and I want the big people's attention. Yet they flick me off just like I do to the grad students. God, what a cycle. Uhhhh the frustration! When will I be the big guru in PH? It seems that being wrinkly and having 2 grown children is a prerequisite.

I have made A LOT of contacts already which is always a good thing. The ability to network alone was worth the cost of admission. You can not leave here without a job. Who cares about the talks! Actually, the talks are very informative and I have met new people and re-connected with old friends. The field is quite small when I think about it, almost incestuous. Regardless, it is always nice to be recognized.

God, I am so tired I could fall over. So I am out...

Star Panda

bbc.co.uk
My panda is a STAR! Follow the link to his first public performance. What a ham! It is like he was playing to the cameras the entire time. Cute meter is way off the scale!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2005/12/08/VI2005120801129.html


Secondly, Sat at 8pm EST animal planet is going to show "Birth of a Panda" and guess who it is? It is a special that will go about an hour. The show looks very interesting. I will be in Philly for a conference but you better believe I will find someone to tape it for me. That way I can watch it over, and over, and over, and over...

Since I can't have a real panda for x-mas I am considering buying myself a fake one. Geez they are about as expensive as the real thing.

Good laughs

This is awesome! It made my day!

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/end.php


http://www.storewars.org/flash/index.html

Smiles and frustration

Today I need lots of smiles and these pictures makes me smile. Me, Greta and Lori in New Orelans before Katrina...when life was good. Todd and Court...they always make me smile.


I could not find my PC badge this morning. Which in itself is not too problematic except that it had my smart trip card and the key to my office on it. Uhhhh what a bad way to start my Monday. Now I am procrastinating because I have a project I must finish by 4pm and I lack the energy to do it. Thank GOD today is my last day of class...I am spent. Fourteen weeks of advanced statistical methods is enough to bore even the most passionate researchers.

Christmas List

My Christmas list for 2005

1. Less war more love
2. Population control(not through disease)
3. Cessation of rape as a tool of war
4. More trees, more space
5. Fewer republicans, more independent thinkers
6. Fewer religions and more faith
7. Full bellies and clean water which=healthy babies
8. Decrease in poverty with an increase in fair trade
9. Less corporate greed, more charity
10.More pandas


...and no more suffering. If your surprised by this picture, than you need to read more. This should not happen and shame on us for letting people starve. Maybe the US should ask Santa for some ethics this year and Peace on Earth.

Madonna Returns!

Hallelujah Madonna has returned! Her new CD goes back to her roots, which is dance music. I have her CD going right now and let me tell you that I am moving. Yesterday I listenend to it 6 times and had many dance sessions in my office. God she makes me feel sexy! I am dancin around like a sex kitten, it rocks! Who would have thought I could feel like that in my khakis and ID badge. I need to find a club that will play her new stuff (CD needs to be heard LOUD)and I will grab my hot girlfriends and we will dance all night. Loren, are you up for some hot sweaty grinding? We can find an old school club and play college again! Come on over baby...you know where I live! Thanks Dave and Sean for the CD...you rock and you are welcome to come out and dance too!

Bandwagon

Everyone is jumping on the panda bandwagon. Check this video out at CNN.com! Under "Dog has makeover to look like a panda"

Gives me an idea!

Thanksgiving 2005

Our beautiful, succulent turkey. For moi!
My homemade Challah. I was brining out my inner Jew
Todd and Mom enjoying their very rare roast!
Me and Ruth enjoying some Beaujolais Nouveau

Cappy after a hard night of eating

Chris's wedding

Pictures from Chris and Laura's wedding November 19th in New Jersey.

Disturbing

This is really disturbing to me for some reason. Gee who is having Rosemary's baby?
Ick!

From www.celebrity-babies.com

November 22, 2005
Tom Cruise purchases sonogram machine
Entertainment Tonight reports that in the issue of People hitting newstands on Friday, Tom Cruise reveals that he has purchased a sonogram machine so he can follow the progress of his and Katie's baby on his own. These run anywhere from $15-200,000! Tom said that he will donate the machine to a hospital after the birth of the baby. He also revealed that he and Katie's wedding will be sometime in 2006, after the baby is born.

As a side note, nobody has proved that "regular" use of a sonogram is safe. This is why doctors employ the tool conservatively because the effect of sound waves on a developing nervous system have not been shown to be harmless, although doubtful to be harmful. But still...

Sad

These past couple of months have been filled with goods thing after another and now...not so much. I am sad that my plans have hit a speed bump, if not a complete road block. It seems I get sooooo close but like always my plans have a way of falling down in mid flight. Kind of like cornflakes falling from the sky. This overwhelming sadness fills me and yet I am so stunned that I can't really feel anything. This numbness perplexes me yet I am secretly glad not to feel anything, though I know it will be coming. It always finds me.

I understand that I dream big which usually translates into big rewards but also comes with big risk. However, I can not be anything but. Although I envy the other camp right now because they won't experience major let down they will also never experience reward. Plus those people are boring and have nothing interesting to say anyway. But still...

Quote of the day:
"You have to dream, you have to have a vision, and you have to set a goal for yourself that might even scare you a little because sometimes that seems far beyond your reach. Then I think you have to develop a kind of resistance to rejection, and to the disappointments that are sure to come your way."-Gregory Peck

Panda viewing

I can die now, I saw the cub. Although he was sleeping, it was really cool to see him up close. I got an added bonus because both Mei and Tian were outside and ACTIVE! They usually sleep, but today they were both up and eating and really close to the viewing area. I have also been watching the cub a lot today and he is venturing out of the den. He climbs all over Mei and tugs at her ears. Then he falls into a squirmy ball and kicks his legs in the air. It is fucking adorable. I just want to eat him up!

To top off my day, I am going to Cafe Citron for dinner and drinks with my boss. Super excited!

Quote of the day: "In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."

Bird Flu

I hate infectious disease epidemiology. It's gross and usually involves diarrhea. I try to stay clear, but being the ONLY epidemiologist makes that impossible. Unfortunately, working at the PC with volunteers in SE Asia I have to keep abreast of the situation. Alas, KFC has invented a cure for all of the bird flu woes. I hope it doesn't mutate into the panda flu. God help us!

I got the picture from theonion.com, I love them!

I also noticed something the other day on the back of my student loan statement. I have disability coverage which protects me in case I am...well disabled. Very necessary when you owe over 100 grand. Anyhoo, the coverage is not applicable in these instances:

1. I become disabled due to a nuclear catastrophe (excluding nuclear medicine treatments)
2. I become disabled due to a terrorist attack
3. I become pregnant (pregnancy according to FMLA is short term disability, which is why 12 weeks of leave needs to be offered, even w/o pay)

Hmmm, I think. Ok point 1. IF, big if, I survive a nuclear disaster who the fuck is going to be around to make me pay? Point 2. Very sneaky, but once again if there is a large enough terrorist attack that leaves me disabled I doubt anyone would care about my money. Point 3. Obviously someone has tried that in court, very clever. Although there are a few women I have known who became pregnant and somehow became stupid and irrational. "Please don't drink in front of me, I might breathe the fumes" (not made up). Pregnancy can make smart people think/do dumb things. I guess that could be construed as disabled.

Head out the window

As I was driving home this evening I watched Cappy in the back seat with her head out the window. She sometimes sits with her head resting on the door but every now and then, she POPS up and stands with her head thrusted out the window as if she hears her name. She stands tall as the wind whips her hair and whiskers back and she seems to be searching for something. She has a smile on her face that could melt butter. What is it that feels so good about putting your head out the window? Liberation, relaxation, what is it? So tonight I decided to try myself traveling 80 mph down I-66 with my head out the window. WOW, what a feeling! I am so envious of how Cappy can be brought to life just by having the wind in her face. The smile it brings to her face gives me goose bumps. Maybe I should try putting my face in the wind more often and listen to see if life is calling my name.

Tues stuff

Now that my brief (very brief) momment of genius is over, I am back to my slow processing. Someone asked me this morning to explain a very basic statistical test and I drew a complete blank. It was a simple as asking a computer person what www stands for. I was so embarrassed, I ran crying back down the hall into my office and hid under my desk. Ok, well that is what I was day dreaming when it happenend. Kind of like a scene from "Scrubs". I also spent 10 minutes this morning looking for my keys when they were in my pocket the whole time. I am so cool!


I did buy a new purse this weekend at Nordstrom's in the Mall of American in MN. My cousin talked me into it, ok she didn't have to talk much. It is a purple Monsac and I love it. It is the first time I have ever spent over $50 on a purse and because of that I will keep it forever.


My panda has been moved into the big exhibit and Mei does not seem to mind. He is playing a lot now and even trying to climb up on the rocks. He spends a lot of time lying on his back chewing his foot. Just like a human baby! Tai also tries to sit up but each time he collapses back into a squirmy ball. It looks like he is laughing when he does that. Tai weighs just over 17lbs and he is about 28 inches. It is really nice to watch mom and son play now.

Mass of the earth

I awoke this morning with the formula Newton used to determine the earth's gravational attraction to objects (actually Cavendish's formula he used to find the mass of the earth). G=m1*m2/d^2 Why would I have that in my thoughts? What is even more bizarre is that I actually remember the mass of the earth 5.979 x 10^24 kg but the distance to the moon eludes me. Then to really freak myself I spontaneously pulled the formula for volume out of my butt, no joke. 4/3 pi r^2 baby. Ok smarty pants I say, I bet you don't remember the radius of the earth. No shit, like 30 seconds later I remember 6.3713x10^4 meters and that makes the volume 1.0 and change x 10^15 meters cubed. How the fuck did I calculate exponents in my head and how did I remember all those constants? I know what this means now...I said in physics class that once I began to understand physics, those physics would cease to exsist in the world as we know it. Oh shit, the end is coming. However, it is very cool to have a moment of complete memory recollection. THAT will never happen again. It was like a moment of clarity, I could think without hinderance.

Now I can't even remember the combo to my gym locker that I use everyday. But the density of water at room temperature is approximately 998.23 kg/m^3. Go figure...:/

Weekend at Mom's

Here are some pics from our FABULOUS weekend in the country. We moved about 1 ton of dirt to fill in a new tree plot. My back still hurts and will probably hurt for some time to come.

The tree colors were fabulous, and here are some pics of the trees at mom's house!

When I woke up in the morning I looked out the window and this was my view.


Mom also took in an abandoned dog and her pups. We had a BLAST playing with them. We figure they were only 5 days old when mom got them. Todd named them Hansel and Gretal.



Of course the dogs had a good time. Here is a picture of Cappy, her cousin Sheyanne and Taylor the West VA trailor trash dog. They were trying to help unload dirt, but they were more of a distraction.


Last but not least, me and Todd after all the farm work! Mom rewarded us with homemade chicken pot pie, blueberry muffins, walnut cake, quiche, wine and cheese. I ate so much that I would need to move 3 tons of dirt to work it off. We also had a HUGE bonfire on Saturday to burn off all the brush.

Rx for Global Health

Boy crippled by polio



Before I start my bitch about global health...I got tickets to see the panda! Wooooo hooooo I get to see the panda on Nov 21st at 11:10am. This is huge, I will have to take the day off. Oh well, my boss understands.

I was watching "Rx for Global Health" last night on PBS narrated by Brad Pitt. It is a 3 part series (9 hours total) of global health problems including AIDS, malaria, polio, dysentery, etc. and the like. As most of us know, most of these problems are in 3rd world countries and Africa suffers the brunt of it. 80% of all AIDS persons are living in Africa. Yet Africa has roughly 719 million people (same as Europe) and Europe only has 1% of AIDS cases. Europe, being a conglomerate of rich nations, does not have nearly the problem of AIDS that Africa does. I guess that wealth has something to do with the lack of an AIDS epidemic. It was really sad to watch the program but it was also appalling to me to see such terrible poverty and sickness and to know that we HAVE the money and manpower to do something about it, but we don't. After all what could Africa possibly offer us, surely not oil.

Oral polio vaccine


I also find it shocking that we have had a polio vaccine (that works 99% of the time) since 1952 and there are still cases of polio out there. The oral vaccine is 2 small drops on a child's tongue. No doctor or nurse is needed to administer the vaccine. Then to top off the madness the directors interviewed affluent families living on Vashon Island off of Washington state. Many of these people refused to vaccinate their children because they believed their immune systems are strong enough to protect them and vaccines are linked to autism. Hmmm. Ok, this is a dangerous situation. We have relatively smart people who are plugged in, yet lack critical thinking skills and the ability to READ scientific literature. I don't mean reading an article about polio in the Post, I mean read an article in a PEER REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL. Medical information for the masses,in this day and age, is so watered down and taken out of context, that I chuckle every night at the nightly news. It is hard for these people to fear something that does not exist in the US anymore. There parents were the last generation to fear polio, small pox, mumps, and whooping cough. As my mom told me, having a preventable illness as a child was incentive enough for her to assure her children never had to endure it.

People like that is what makes me think of myself as an elitist. I will admit it, I am a snob when I deal with ignorant people who try to come off as intelligent. It is not worth my time or energy, so I blow them off. That is why I have little patience for middle class Americans who know better. This is why I like the idea of helping people in 3rd world countries who WANT HELP. Very sad. How many mothers in Africa would give their leg to have their children vaccinated and how many people in the US are not vaccinating? When enough people stop vaccinating their children, the diseases will re-appear. Every medical person knows that, and that is what keeps public health officials up at night. The only reasons we don't have those epidemics is because MOST OF US are vaccinated thanks to my parent's generation of diligence. It will be my generation that will bring down the cornerstone of public health...mass vaccination.

Wal-Mart Movie

I am going to a screening at G-town Univ to see this. I hate Wal-Mart so this should be thrilling. Click on Wal-Mart movie to check out the trailer

It is all about brownie points

Todd earned big brownie points on Friday. He went to the zoo and bought me the new panda book written about Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing who lived at the National Zoo from the early 70's to the early 90's. PLUS he bought me a t-shirt with Tai Shan on the front. Let's say it "Ooooohhhhh"! I am such a lucky girl!

Stupid humans

Ok, last post for today. I was so shocked to read this. I should stop being surprised, I don't hold humans to high standards anyway. Damn, I feel like I need to wash my brain of this image.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2005450117,00.html

and the winner is...

I was just listening to DC-101 and Donielle (the DJ) just announced some very interesting news. A report came out today listing the costs of attendance for US universities. Landmark College is the most expensive at $38 thousand and change a year for undergrad study. Followed by my alma mater, The George Washington University, came in 2nd at $37,500. Did you hear that dad, I went to the second most expensive college in the US! But I am sure you already know that :)

It made me wonder who hell can afford this? I had some fun playing around with the US Gov't demographic SES calculator. When I put in my student loan debt, annual wage, investments, etc I fall in the "Upper middle class" and when I take out my loans I fall into "Middle class". Funny how adding in $100 grand of debt boots your SES. He he!

Audioslave

I have little to say about the concert because I am hard pressed to find a word that can express how BLOWN away I was. That concert is now in my top 5 of all time. So I will state the facts: set included Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, and of course Audioslave. The second to last song was "Killing in the name" and the last chorus was changed from "Some of those who are enforcers are the same who burn crosses" to "Some of those who hold office are the same who burn crosses." The crowd went fucking wild with everyone pumping their fists in the air. They turned on the stadium lights and everyone was going mad. Talk about anger. They wrapped up with "Cochise" and once again everybody raged. Fucking rocked...I have no more to say as I feel a terrible injustice to Audioslave by using my insignificant words.

Chris was hot and Tom Morello plays the guitar like a rock star should. Some guy said "Dude, Tom is above Jesus because Jesus can't play the guitar like him." If I was a believer, I would agree.

I love you Chris and I would have your panda.

Quote of the day: ""I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. " Frank Sinatra

Strollin'

Pic from the Washington Post

My panda is walking quite well now. He left the den twice (obviously Mei was gone). He even inspects things as he moves around. He checked out a bolt on the floor, a door stopper, etc. His claws are also very long now and quite sharp. I love the way he sleeps on his back, just like a little person :) Let's say it, ahhhhhhh how cute! I love to watch him walk around and inspect his world, it gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling. To see the world through the eyes of a panda (or puppy) is really cool!

Mei is such a good mom. She never lets him stray from the den. If you think about it, in the wild a panda cub would make a tasty snack. She is so attentive but a little over protective. Tai pretends to be asleep when she leaves and then he hauls ass around the den while she is gone. Sounds like me when I was a teenager!

I went to the panda talk at the zoo. It ROCKED! I got to see the video of his birth and ask a few questions to the curator and vet. Ok, maybe I asked a bulk of the questions...

Class of 2000 Reunion

Awesome time this weekend at Blue Gin in Georgetown! Ugly, trashed, dirty are adjetives to describe my state by the end of the night. I had a GREAT TIME! It was just like Mr. Days back in 2000. Here are some pics of the night. We had most of the girls back together for the evening (minus Loren...loser) and I realized that my friends were the hottest girls in the club. Who has smart, hot, and sexy friends? That's right...ME! Now if only I could remember what we did all evening. I do remember dancing it up at Habana Village in Adams Morgan. I would dance salsa with whoever wanted to dance; man, woman or dog. Now it is Monday and I STILL have a hangover and that pesky cotton mouth. Ah the price I pay for being a social butterfly :) Hey does anybody know where I got that GW next to my drink? And how did it get home with me after a night of dancing? Oh well, it seems like I am always picking up strange men at bars :)

DeLay arrest warrant issued

This article made my day yesterday. How much do you think the mug shot of DeLay will be worth. DeLay down, only Frist, Rove, Libby and Bush to go! For the occasion I even busted out my Lindeman's 2004 Reserve Chard!

From the Washington Post-October 19, 2005

A Texas court today issued an arrest warrant for Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), the powerful former House majority leader, ordering him to appear for booking at a county jail in his home district.

The court in Travis County, Tex., set bail for DeLay at $10,000, and a lawyer for the embattled congressman said it would be posted.

Dick DeGuerin, the lead counsel on DeLay's defense team, said the arrest warrant was "a matter of routine," the Associated Press reported.

However, the defense reportedly had hoped to avoid submitting DeLay, formerly the second-ranking Republican leader in the House, to the fingerprinting and mug shot photography that accompanies a formal arrest.

more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/19/AR2005101900789.html


God that man is such a FUCK! Finally, our legal system does something worth my tax dollars! Long live America!



Of course this is a birthday present for Dave who turns 29 (again?) today. Happy Birthday baby cakes! This indictment is a birthday present just for you!

I shall name him Tai Shan

The cub received his name today, marking his 100th day on this earth. In a ceremony with Chinese and zoo officals they bestowed the cub's name. Tai Shan means "peaceful mountain". I voted for Qiang Qiang which means "strong powerful". Tai Shan in very fiesty and takes no shit from mom, so I would have preferred something more fitting to his personality. However, I am very happy because a panda that lives to be 100 days old has a very good chance at survival into adulthood. Go Tai Shan!

More pics of VT

Here are some more memories of our trip! Me and Todd, Cappy and pig, Sabine and me!

Panda news!

Big news today! The cub was examined today and he weighs 12 lbs. He also has all of his teeth and to top it off, he is crawling! Woooo hooooo! The cub crawled around the den and then crashed for 3 hours. Boy I know how he feels!

He is so cute. Look at my big boy in this pic from the National Zoo!

Vermont

Well we have returned from our voyage up to VT, NH, MA, NY, and God knows where else. We had a blast! As soon as I find my camera I will post more pics. Granted it was rainy, but throw in some wine and good friends and the weather is a small detail. Cappy had a blast too and it was so much fun to watch her run through the woods terrorizing the wildlife. Oh, we saw a pot belly pig on the AT...bizzare. We were camping in the Green Mountains not too far from Killington. Which now reminds me that I need to get in some VT skiing before I leave. I just need to sucker some friends into renting a cabin for a week. Just looking at the lifts made my mouth water. I foresee some extreme downhill action in my future. Mmmmm skiing...

We also went to Sabine's high school reunion in Putney, VT. That was rad. She went to a boarding school which is also a working farm and sits on 780 acres of the most beautiful rolling hills I have ever seen. Lucky girl! It was nice to see where all of her high school stories happened.

It was also a good week as Wine Spectator listed the best "100 wines of Australia". Perfect! I am super happy over this. I did try an excellent Rioja this weekend, thanks to Paul, and it made my mouth very happy.

BTW, Happy Anniversary baby!

Quote of the day: ""Let us now set forth one of the fundamental truths about marriage: the wife is in charge." Bill Cosby

Grateful...

I am grateful that my butt is not saggy. I noticed today that there are a lot of saggy butts in this world. While it is not the smallest butt, it is firm and perky. Plus it looks good in jeans. Big thanks to running and lunges!

Army Ten Miler

I had a good race this weekend. Sub-10 min miles for 11.5 miles. What you may ask? Wasn't the race a 10 miler? Yes, you are correct. Due to a security breach (whatever) they had to re-route us. They added on an additional 1.5 miles and didn't take it off elsewhere. Go Army! No wonder Iraq is a disaster. Needless to say, me and Cari kicked ASS. We were SMOK'N! BTW thanks Brigid for popping in, that was a nice surprise!

Vive le weekend!

My October is starting off in full force, so much for down time. However, I count my blessings because my weekends are filled with cool stuff!

Tonight I have a hot date! Some guy is going to buy me Malaysian food and take me to see "March of the Penguins" at the Uptown. Saturday will be Happy Hour with Sean and Dave, which will set me up for the Army Ten Miler on Sunday! I am tired already!

We are going to VT to see the color changes next week and then the following weekend we are camping at Assateague National Seashore. Hurray for cold weather camping!

In other news, John Roberts was confirmed. Big whoop! I don't really care, his vote counts just the same as any other justice.

On another note, sentences like these REALLY annoy me and I hear it all the time. Pour example: "Class at 7am on Sat. for the hard core that can get out of bed!" Hmmm, last I checked a person is not a "that" but a "who". Do you mean "...for the hard core WHO can get out of bed." Jesus, if you are going to advertise in my face at least use real grammar. Good thing are bombs are smart, cause our kids are dumb. Who said that? Ween?

I just got my Audioslave tickets for Oct 26 at the Patriot Center. ROCK ON! I love Chris Cornell, I would lick him in a heart beat. God, what makes him so sexy? He is on my list of three people I would be allowed to have sex with if I ever met him. Have you made your list?

1. Chris Cornell
2. Madonna
3. Hugh Jackman (I dig the wolverine thing)
Runner up: Jack Johnson b/c what girl would not want to be serenaded by Jack in his torn jeans and tan chest. Hello? Ruth am I right?

You will find no metrosexuals on this list. I like my men buff with dirt under their finger nails and a little bit of sweat! Madonna is my exception.

Quote of the day: "Karma police, I’ve given all I can, it’s not enough
I’ve given all I can, but we’re still on the payroll" Karma Police, Radiohead. For know other reason than this song is in my head.

Celebrate!

OH MY GOD! Has today rocked! WOW! I received word that my paper to the Journal of Pediatric Blood and Cancer has been accepted. So what you might ask? Granted, we all know it is not my first publication so what makes it so wonderful? It is my first as the primary author! One journal rejection and 2 years later it will be off my desk once and for all! Perseverance and stubbornness are mighty forces. One big step for Katia's kind! Who is having some champagne today?

I also ran into a good friend on my run today which was also exciting. I also got on the scale (first time in one 6 weeks)and I am 19.5 lbs lighter. I didn't believe it so I went to another scale and it said the same thing! I wish I could sell a dieting secret but I think it was eat less, run more. Ok, time to do something besides squeal!

Quote of the day: "God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die." Bill Watterson (creator of Calvin and Hobbes)