And Just Like That...

 Seventeen years have flown by.

Goodness.

Seventeen years ago today, I started a blog. I was about to embark on the Biggest Adventure Yet in my life, a year teaching in England. I look back now and I wouldn't change a thing.

In the years since, I have continued to find adventures everywhere--big and small. I'm not so great at blogging them anymore, in this age of rapid-fire social media. I rather miss it, though.

Also just like that...five years fly by. Tomorrow marks five years since I was handed the keys to a needs-a-lotta-love condo and embarked on the wild journey of making it livable and then making it HOME. I'll post tomorrow some pictures of Casa Meg in its current state. I did a very intense clean last night and all day today (I mean, I vacuumed the balcony, that's dedication). It's looking good.

And if I'm going to comment on passing time, well, here I am, about to start my seventh year at the same school (a record for me). I'm busy making sure my plans are up-to-date and ready. I taught summer school this year, so I had some time to organize my classroom and move a few things around. The prospect of having no Zoom learning this year is a very lovely thought.

More to come. I have house pics to take.

Writable

I haven't been writing a lot of late--I want to, but most evenings find me exhausted. I hope to fix that soon. As I settle more into my new routine, I find myself wanting to blog about my life.

But anyway, for now I've got a sore throat and I've just finished up the laziest Labor Day I could give myself (after prepping food for the week ahead this morning). I love this quote, and it's been sitting in my pictures for a while now.

Perhaps seeing it here, on the Little Pink Blog, will inspire me.

Snippets

Ugh! October has not been a month for blogging. I don't know why, I just haven't felt very bloggy. And November is coming soon, with NaNoWriMo, and I doubt I can even muster the energy for that. Ideas? None. Well, maybe one. We'll see.

Anyway, here are some little snippets of things I've been doing, seeing, thinking about, reading, loving, hating, whatever.

First, Something Awesome:

I don't even know what Dwell magazine is, but this letter to the editor, from an eight-year-old girl, is full of win.  (A Google search reveals that Dwell is a magazine about design. Ahh.)

This little girl hits the nail on the head--don't just hand over a Barbie doll, give girls something useful when they show an interest in a subject. I'm glad that there are parents out there who encourage their daughter to not only pursue her interests, but also to write to a magazine when she sees something that compels her to write.

The kids...they're alright, ya'll.

The Young Turks

A new friend introduced me recently to The Young Turks, and I'm hooked. They cover politics, world news, and pop culture, and yes, they have a decidedly more liberal bent. But here's the thing--they are willing to criticize liberal politicians just as much as conservative ones, when that criticism is warranted.

If you follow this blog or know me at all, you know I'm liberal. I don't dive into politics much at the LPB, because at some point in the last eight years, I decided this isn't really the space for that. I have many friends of many different belief systems, so the LPB remains a more light-hearted space for sharing the stories of my life. But I had to share The Young Turks. Because they're awesome.

The Gymbo Strikes Again

Due to crazy schedules and my only going to the gym three days a week anymore, I don't run into Matt the Reasonable quite as much as I used to. Because I love bragging, and he's super-supportive, I sent off a quick text last week: "Some lady just leg pressed 90 pounds. Considering she only weighs 130 herself...:)"

Of course, he was proud, and replied that I'm getting very strong. And indeed, I am. This month, I've gone back to hardcore strength training. Three sets, 10 reps each. As heavy as I can go. I've been pushing my limits, and today, I actually did 90 pounds on the lat pull-down. Because I'm awesome. On Saturday, I bench pressed 55 pounds. I'd try for more, but I need a spotter.

I'm in a bit of a running slump. I'm getting it done, but I've been bored, so I think a route change is in order. Time to spice things up a bit.

The Choir Nerd Strikes Again, Too

Sac Choral has its first concert of the season this weekend. We're returning to Sacramento's gorgeous Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament to perform Vivaldi's Gloria and the Faure Requiem. It's truly lovely music in a fabulous setting. Buy a ticket.

Anyway, we met at the cathedral last week, and will again tonight, for rehearsals, which means I go a bit crazy on Instagram.

How did I exist before my iPhone?

Take Me Out To The Ball Game...

My new friend--the same one who got me hooked on The Young Turks--is a baseball fan. He loves the A's. Since they lost their playoff series to the Tigers, he's been cheering for the Giants to make it to the World Series. And damn it, he has me watching baseball.

As though I needed a new sport to get hooked on, what with my Sundays being tied up with NASCAR and the Niners.

But there you have it. I'm sweating bullets for the Giants tonight, as they head into Game 7 against the Cardinals, tied in the series and going for the World Series. Oy! The drama. I won't be able to watch because of choir rehearsal, so I'll be texting New Friend for updates, no doubt.

Speaking of NASCAR

My heart just hasn't been in watching the last couple of weeks. My driver, Dale Jr., has been out of the races completely because of a concussion. I fully support his decision to take care of his health in taking this break, but damn, I'm so disappointed for him. A great season, and this.

Reports circulated that said he could have to stop driving entirely--they've been shot down--and it occurred to me that if he did leave driving, I probably wouldn't watch NASCAR much anymore. I started watching because of him, got hooked because of him, and I've never really supported any other drivers.

So I'm hoping he heals well and is able to get back out there soon.

It's That Time Again...Bwahahahaha...

I'm so happy, I can hardly contain myself.

Halloween 2009 was the last time I was able to dance the Monster Mash with my young music students...and this year, I get to do it again!

It's hardly a high-brow lesson on music theory. My Monster Mash lesson plan consists of dancing some approximation of the Twist and then making monster motions--flying on a broomstick, walking like Frankenstein, etc. etc. My wee charges, hyped up by costumes and classroom parties and sugar, love it. And I know Petite School will be no different. Friday is the big Halloween celebration day, and the primary teachers and I have already discussed whether or not to have music at all because of their classroom parties. I said, "Tell you what...why don't we do a half session, and I'll come to your room and do the Monster Mash with them?"

They loved it. It's so on.

Friday will find Yours Truly Monster Mashing my happy little heart out, listening to delighted giggles and saying to myself, "I'm getting paid to do this."

I. Love. My. Career.

Wait, What?

As I was typing the above, one of those annoying emergency broadcast signals beeped on the television (out in the living room--Mom and Dad are watching, my TV is off). Then I heard, "Tornado! What?" from Mom, so I got up to check this news out.

Indeed, my county is under tornado warning.

They happen in California--there was one in Folsom when I was in 4th grade--but they're rare here. And on that note, I have to leave in 45 minutes for choir rehearsal. Heh. I guess if I see a large funnel in the sky, I'll make sure I drive away from it.

Oy vey.

And That, As They Say, Is All, Folks.

Well, it is now, anyway. I can't think if I had anything else to write about, as I've been distracted by Tornado Watch 2012. Oh, life. Keep being Wild and Absolutely True. 

Neglect

My poor Little Pink Blog.

I promise I will have more adventures to write about soon. I am driving to Lake Tahoe on Thursday to see my friends Shae and Shay (long story--they call each other "Ditto" to add to the confusion) and I've got stuff to write about...and just not so much the energy.

In triathlon news, I have a goose egg in my savings account and am starting to fear I will have to complete my tri in 2013 on a stationary bike at the gym. Sigh.

But no more morose thoughts about that. I have adventures to go on! But first, a good night's sleep.

London

My blogging mojo of late has been lacking, and today, Richard of Keane posted a couple of pics of gorgeous London on Twitter, making me miss the place like crazy. So...here are some pics of my most favorite city in the world...all taken by Yours Truly in 2004-2005.

St. Stephen's Tower, my favorite London icon (it's the
bell inside that is called Big Ben...did you know?).

Looking towards Parliament from Trafalgar Square.

The British Museum

A Dali sculpture near the London Eye (yes, that is the top of 
Big Ben in the left bottom corner.)

Kensington Palace, about 10 minutes before the sun disappeared and the
clouds opened up, leaving me soaked.

On July 6, 2005, London was awarded the 2012 games. On July 7, that
beautiful city suffered a terrorist attack.

Marble Arch

Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens

At King's Cross Station

Just a random building that caught my eye.

Summer in Trafalgar Square

A beggar in Kensington Gardens.

The Old Vic...Kevin Spacey's London theater home.

Ennui

"Well if you're bored then you're boring..."

Harvey Danger, "Flagpole Sitta"

The last couple of days, I've been...bored. Well, that's not entirely true. But then, neither is "lazy," or "listless," or "out of sorts." I'm in a perfectly pleasant mood, and quite happy with how things are going in life right now. But when I'm at home, I've been prone to feeling sleepy (that could just be all the working out) and wanting to go to bed at 8:00 each night.

I'm not sick. I'm not depressed. Just, perhaps, needing a little adventure. So I haven't been blogging, and I haven't even been feeling very "Yay, Christmas!!" either...not as I normally do, anyway.

It's the funniest thing, because really, everything is going very nicely right now. I've lost eight pounds, found a great outfit for New Year's (my friend Meghan and I are going to celebrate the British New Year at 4:00 because she has to work the night shift at the hospital that night), and I've been quite productive in my working out and job hunting, etc.

The weather has been sun-sun-sunny, so it's not Seasonal Affective Disorder. And I wouldn't even call it sadness--I'm just...bored. And suffering from Blogger's Block.

With all this in mind, I think I'll find something to do tomorrow--perhaps, after my workout in the morning (my weekly assignment from M. the Still Very Reasonable), I'll drive to Sacramento and wander around, or explore some area I haven't explored yet. Take my camera and find more good signs. Take Cali Swimmy and have some fun with him. Anything to break out of this work out-come home-shower-sit around wondering, "what's next?" routine I've been in all week.

What's Up?

I am having the most productive week...following last week, which was also wildly productive. I have so much I want to talk about and about five minutes that I'm allotting myself to write this between finishing some stuff I'm doing online, working on my NaNoWriMo book (219 words shy of 10,000!) and getting stuff done.

So I will blog tomorrow. Hopefully. I'll try!

Not Very Bloggy

So many blogging friends seem to have lost their blogging mojo lately. I'm one of these people. I had my fun "Remembories Week" and I've kept up the Monday Music posts, but otherwise, I just haven't felt like blogging.

Continuous grey, foggy weather didn't help. I've been in my usual mid-winter slump, where even keeping up with my eBay shop is difficult at times.

I seem to be digging my way out of it. After being publicly chastised by one G. the Meanie yesterday, today dawned with a determined Meg ready to go for a run and do some weights. I had my best run in a long time--only a mile, but no walking, no stopping, no major pain (yay new running shoes!). I did some upper-body resistance training and 30 minutes on the cycle. I felt really good afterwards, and this afternoon, instead of staying on the couch for hours and hours, I actually got up and listed a bunch of stuff in my eBay store.

Maybe it's just a January thing. January seems to just be a rough month for me, in general. Now it's February and I have a nice visit with Mom and Dad to look forward to (next week). I'm starting to dream up some ideas for job possibilities. Things are looking up!

Now, if I can get my blogging mojo back, I'll be really happy.

Adventures In France

Lisa of HubbleSpacePaws asked in the comments on today's Wordless Wednesday post if I'd share my story of being in France in the next post.

I've been a lazy blogger lately (Monday Music and Wordless Wednesday are all pre-posted weeks in advance), and I figured the easy way to share those adventures was to post the link to a previous blog post--over five years ago!!--about my trip to Paris and Normandy.

So, here you go, Lisa! It was a fun trip, taken while I was teaching in England for a year (the adventure that started this whole blog).

Meg's French Adventure

Blogger's Block

Heh. I haven't updated since Tuesday. I have stuff to write about, just haven't had the time or energy to do so. Here's the major stuff:

1. Today I did a 3-mile "run." I put "run" in "quotes" (okay, I'll stop being "obnoxious" with the quotation marks now) because it was more of a pitiful jog, and if I'm honest, there was a teensy bit of walking involved. Still, I managed a respectable time and that last mile was pretty damned good, if I do say so myself. My knee stopped hurting, and because I was approaching a busy street, I wanted to show off that this fat girl can run.

2. I found out something about Harley that I didn't know before. I volunteered at the 8th Annual Bowl For Pets for Animal Friends Connection today, and talked with a lady who is neighbors with Harley's former foster mom. I already knew that he was quite young when found, either lost or abandoned by his mother cat, but what I didn't know was that he was in quite bad shape at that time. He was tiny and malnourished, and they worried about whether or not he'd make it. Apparently he lucked out with his choice of foster mom, because she's known for bringing orphaned, sickly kittens back to great shape. These days he's a 13-pound ball of furring purriness. And he's a Kitty Jackpot winner, 'cause he's living the good life in Casa Cooper. But he had a very rough start, poor mite.

3. OMG, I'm going to do my first 5K! While helping out today, I found some fliers for the Jog-a-Dog, which AFC will be hosting in May. I did 3 very slow miles today, so by May, I know I'll be up to a faster time. The whole point is not winning the race (though that would be kind of cool, to place in my age division), but just to finish it, running the whole way. To be able to tell people I ran a 5K...and, of course, to raise some money for AFC. Who wants to make a pledge?

4. Spring Cleaning! I spent pretty much all of yesterday cleaning this apartment from one end to the other. I removed more dust than I care to admit having, pulled small furniture out to vacuum behind, and disinfected the kitchen and bathroom. I'm very good about keeping up with day-to-day cleanliness, but every once in a while, a good scrub is in order. Oh, and I dusted my entire Snoopy collection. A daunting task, to be sure. In the afternoon I had a training session at the gym, then returned home to finish the living room, have a long, glorious shower (complete with facial), a lovely dinner, and a manicure in front of the first two episodes of "Band of Brothers." I started the third episode, but fell asleep on the couch. I was in bed by 10:00, completely exhausted.

5. By the way, "Saving Private Ryan" is an amazing, fantastic movie. I hadn't seen it since it was in the theaters--in the 1990s! It's been in my Blockbuster queue for a while, and finally arrived. It is graphic and gory--I actually gasped out loud at some of the images--but it is also incredibly moving and well-acted. I'm inclined to love anything Tom Hanks acts in, but there were some awesome performances from the other men, as well.

6. I must be going crazy. I actually WANT to run. Something clicked in me today. I woke up with a slightly wonky left knee--sucker's been bothering me all week and I have Mr. Push Through the Pain giving me ZERO sympathy--I might add that HIS left knee is swollen and filled with fluid and even though it's hampering his own workouts, he won't go to the doctor about it. What is it with the male half of the species, anyway? Anyway, yeah. This is about me. The knee felt strange and I was cursing under my breath that I have to do at least one three-mile run this week. I figured I'd better get it over with, especially as I didn't do any cardio yesterday (just, you know, cleaned the entire apartment and worked with G. for an hour). So out I went, on a big loop in my neighborhood. I felt pretty good when I was done, and thought to myself, "Maybe I'll go do another mile later today. Yeah, I think I'll do that."

I didn't, because of time, and I feel sort of disappointed. Feel my forehead...am I feverish? Or is this that point I've been told will come where my body starts to WANT to run?

7. Speaking of G. the Meanie... I really need to learn to keep my big mouth shut. Or maybe not, because I'm impressing him and even myself with some of the stuff I'm able to do these days.

Yesterday, we were working mostly in the aerobics room. One of the exercises he had me do was to walk with him around the inside of the gym with a 25-pound weight in each hand. It's not hard, really, just tiring. After the second rotation, which he made slightly longer by taking me into the basketball court, I remarked that I could see what he was doing.

"You're making everything longer each time I do another set."

"Yeah. I'll probably add some distance next time we walk around with the weights."

This is where I opened my gargantuan mouth.

*snort* "What, are you going to make me go outside and walk around the whole building?"

Oh, Meg, SHUT UP, will ya?!

G.'s eyes widened slightly. "That's actually a great idea..."

And that's just what we did. My triceps were screaming, but I made it with no drama.

8. Monterey, here I come. Tomorrow my friend Meghan is meeting me here and we're driving to gorgeous Monterey. The biggest plans we have so far are to visit the aquarium, which I haven't seen since I was a very little girl, and to have at least 10 minutes of toes-in-sand experience. I am in dire need of an ocean/beach fix. It's been a long winter.

9. Have I mentioned it's Spring Break? Yup. This explains why I had Friday off, and why I have this whole next week and the following Monday free to do whatever I like. On Monday I have an appointment with G. and Chorale rehearsal. On Tuesday I'm going to Mom and Dad's, and I'll camp out there 'til the next Monday. I'll drive to Stockton on Thursday for another training appointment. Next Saturday is reserved for a day of shopping/possible movie viewing with Summer. And at least one day needs to be set aside for pure laziness.

And that's about it. I've thought, each night, "Heh, I should blog..." but frankly, I just haven't felt like it. Don't worry, though. There will be pictures from Monterey. And hopefully more weight loss news when I weigh in on Monday. I think I'll run a mile before leaving tomorrow, just to help that out.

Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Posts

It's back!

Okay, folks, December was crazy, and so far, January has been curl-up-under-a-blanket-and-hide-from-the-doldrums. But I finally find myself with some time on my hands to queue a ton of posts, both here and at my other two neglected blogs. I am getting back to Music Monday, Sunday Review, and I want to start a new feature about eating healthy.

Stay tuned!

Maybe Tomorrow

I have all kinds of blogging I want to do, but a post-Thanksgiving food coma and the Oh-My-God-It's-DECEMBER madness of this week are sort of in my way.

Today, for example, I spent an hour and forty-five minutes in Target. And then I went to the mall. Then I came home, ate dinner, put everything I'd bought away, and sashayed off to Chorale.

So tomorrow, hopefully, I'll have some time to blog. Maybe catch up my neglected little sign blog.

But tonight, I must sleep.

Whattaweek

All is quiet on the blogging front. I don't have much to say at the moment.

I did write that post about PMS, but I need some time to tweak it. Time? What the hell is that?! It's been a busy week...but I am proud as hell to report that I've made it to the gym every day so far. Go me!

Tomorrow I have my regular work day, followed by gym time and then a two-and-a-half hour, mandatory meeting for VAPA teachers. Urgh. At least it's a potluck, which means there will be cookies. Once that is done, I will come home, pack my bags, and watch Grey's.

Then, it's Friday, which means BREAK TIME!! I get the whole week off this year, and I couldn't be happier. I have grand plans: I'm seeing New Moon on Friday with Mom, going out on Saturday night (Streets of London Pub, a favorite!) and then spending the week relaxing, sleeping in, scrapbooking, and finally eating yummy Thanksgiving food. There will also be a Girl's Night in there, I think.

When I come back to Stockton, it will be time to put up my tree and dust off the Holiday Music Playlist on iTunes. The most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us! The LPB will be taken over by holiday spirit.

Jeez! Finally!!

I've been floating around in "What To Blog About?!" land for a few weeks now. Most of my posts have been half-assed. I have a gazillion pictures I've wanted to post, but I feel either too lazy or too tired (I'm really starting to think that I'll get H1N1 any day now) to post them.

But today I got some ideas. The first is inspired by true-life events: my period. I am going to do a little Google research and write a post about PMS and how it affects women--and how, just maybe, it's not something to joke about. If you would like to give me any input and don't mind me quoting you, you can email me or contact me via Facebook.

I also want to share pictures of the adorable and wonderful things I bought at yesterday's craft faire, and Wednesday (Veteran's Day) should provide some great pictures. I'll be attending a concert put on by the Lincoln Hills Veteran's Group, of which my dad is president.

There is a Music Monday post scheduled for tomorrow, and we can hope that I'm not getting sick and that my life will continue to provide Wild and Absolutely True moments of enlightenment and hilarity for me to post about.

Oh--and if you see Wanda, my chain-smoking, pink-Caddie-driving, wayward Fairy Godmother, could you tell her I'd like to talk to her about this guy I've been chatting with on Yahoo Personals? It's been TWO FREAKIN' YEARS since I've been on a date, and I'd like to go on another sometime soon. You know, have a reason to get all nervous and silly, maybe to buy a new low-cut blouse or something.

Really, Wanda, is that too much to ask?

I'm Determined to Blog

Blogging is good for me. I'm not sure how many people actually read all of this (except Mom--Hi, Mom!), but for me, blogging is therapuetic, and it's free, too.

But I can hardly do it this week. I've just been stressed and anxious and feeling down about things--it's a long story. The good news is, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not saying, "Choo choo!"

Anyway, I'm determined to blog. This weekend. But for tonight, I have pizza and Grey's Anatomy and Dirty Dancing, and two sweet kitties who love to cuddle.

Bad Blogger

"I ought to post a blog," mused Meg, as she sat on the sofa of her parents' house, playing Sudoku and watching to Law and Order on the TV. "I'm sure I have something...somewhere...in my head to write about."

Meg got caught up in a gripping L&O episode, about a "Bipolar Roller" guy (a schizophrenic man who wears bright clothes and roller skates to disco music turns out to be a mass murderer) and figured, "Eh, well, maybe later."

Such was my weekend. More gripping blog posts, Wild and Absolutely True, later. When I feel like it.

Oy vey!

Bad Meg!!

I'm okay, I promise. Just lazy. And not in a typing mood lately.

I have grand plans to update tomorrow (Friday) and if I don't, email me and yell at me to do so.

Enjoying my week off. Details tomorrow (I'm too lazy right now).

Cheers,

Meg