I’m in!
Courtney, Kitty, Ashley and Cagey are all on board so I’ve decided to join up too:
Now I’d best stop writing lest I use up any good material before November.
1 comment October 29th, 2007
Archive for October, 2007
A Challenge
My friend Kitty has issued a challenge to me and a few of other friends: join NaBloPoMo. Now, for those four or five of you who read this blog regularly this probably sounds like a ridiculous idea since you know that I only manage to post about once every couple of weeks, if I’m lucky. But, I am intrigued. I loved NaBloPoMo last year, it was really fun to see what people came up with and how they dealt with the task of posting every day for a month and since I only found out about it halfway through the month, it was too late to join. Of course, this year I have advance notice but I also have a one year old child on the verge of walking keeping my hands pretty busy. But, I have a lot of free time this November so it is possible….
I only have a few more days to decide. What do you think?
Anyone out there?
Anyone?
7 comments October 26th, 2007
The Mud Run Race Report
*UPDATE* Just wanted to add that in light of the horrible fires in and around Camp Pendleton, I hope everyone is hanging in there down in San Diego County. It has been a difficult week for so many people in Southern California…
We did it! On Saturday, Brian and I and three friends of ours completed the Armed Services YMCA Mud Run at Camp Pendleton. Considering how much I was dreading this run for the last month, it actually ended up being a whole lot of fun. I realized once we started that this race was not about running a great 10K or making a great time-it was really just about one thing. MUD.
We arrived at the base early, as instructed and met up with the rest of our team. I was glad to find them since there were about 4000 people there for the race. After a lot of waiting around, we finally started. Brian and the other 2 guys took off ahead and us two girls hung back for a while. The start was super crowded and the trail was narrow for most of the first mile so we had little choice but to walk for stretches when things got crowded. Within the first 5 minutes or so, we got sprayed by a giant fire hose which, although it felt good since the day was warm, made me realize that wearing cotton pants was a very bad idea. For the rest of the run, my pants stayed completely soaked and ended up weighing about 25 pounds by the end. This did not help me much when climbing up all those hills. I’d say the first 3 miles of the course alternated between steep uphills and short, flat stretches-it was beyond brutal. I ended up having to walk a few times, no surprise. During those first few miles of hills there were only a few obstacles-jumping over bales of hay, running through water, and of course, getting sprayed by more hoses.
Around mile 4 we got to the walls. Brian waited for me at this point since I wasn’t sure I would make it over by myself. Of course, there were Marines posted all along the course and there were a few giving out boosts at the walls as well. I managed to get over the first wall by myself-Brian was standing by to help in case I needed it and informed me later that I politely kicked him in the chest as I flailed my way over. Sorry, B! On the other side of the wall was…you guessed it, mud! I landed in the dirt and sloshed my way forward (needless to say, by this point my shoes were completely soaked and full of grossness). After some very enjoyable downhill running and a few more forays through water, we ran through some tires on the ground (I was very proud that I didn’t trip!) and came to the second wall-I could tell immediately I was not going to make it over this one, I think it was about 5 feet high. I got a boost from a helpful marine and landed on the other side in muddy water about 2 feet deep. Delicious! I turned around to watch Brian come over and land on all fours-at least he didn’t go face first like many others!
Onward we trudged…….at this point, now that the misery of those first uphill miles was starting to fade from my memory, I was finally starting to have fun. We made our way through some more water and the Marines were telling us, “You’re doing great! You’re almost done! Just a tiny little hill left…” It was at this point that I realized that the Marines were not actually helpful but were a bunch of liars. We turned the corner, and there it was: a crazy steep hill to climb, COVERED in mud, already completely slippery and just to ensure that it stayed that way, there was a Marine stationed at the top of the hill with a fire hose spraying down the hill. Confronted with this, one of my teammates was overheard saying, “Oh, heeeellll no!” We joined the rest of the throng which was divided along either side of the slope where there was a makeshift railing to cling onto as you pulled yourself up. Of course, about halfway up, said railing disappeared and we were left to our own devices. My other female teammate A. and I ended up on one side together and unfortunately, we got stuck behind two women who were completely freaking out. I can understand being scared, but their way of dealing with the situation was to stop dead in their tracks, which seriously complicated things for those of us who were desperately clinging onto the hillside behind them-momentum was just about the only thing keeping us upright at that point. I finally grabbed A.’s hand and we maneuvered around the two ladies (I think I actually crawled under them!) although A. ended up colliding with a cactus in the process. Don’t worry, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds. Sure, she plays the violin and needs her hands, but a good pair of tweezers will get those needles out.
Then, it really was almost the end. Only one more obstacle to complete-the crawl through the 30 foot long mud pit. To get a good idea of what this was like, watch this. They basically set it up so you have no option other than to crawl through the mud-at points it was deep enough that I was actually swimming through it. It was pretty hysterical, and a great way to end an already crazy day. We crossed the finish line as a team, at 1 hour 25 minutes. Not exactly a great 10K time, but it wasn’t exactly a regular 10K.
All in all, I had a blast and I am already excited to do it again next year! This time, I may do a little more hill training first : ) I managed to make it through the other big hurdle of the weekend as well, spending my first night away from Ashok. He did great at home with this Grandma and his Mom only freaked out mildly. I then also somehow managed to play a duo recital on Sunday-thankfully my legs had enough strength left to get me through 2 hours of standing and playing. So yes, it was a very full weekend. My only regret was not bringing a camera to document the race so I could post some pictures here. Maybe next year….
1 comment October 23rd, 2007
After!
At last, the long awaited “after” pictures of our back room remodel. I know you’ve all been sitting at home, biting your nails, waiting desperately for this post so let’s get to it. First of all, a reminder of the “before” state of the room attached to the back of our garage:
So lovely! Why on earth would you want to change anything, you may ask? Don’t you like moldy green carpet and wood paneling?
And now…..
…new wood floors, trim and ceiling!
Lucy outside the new sliding door
Closeup of the new cedar ceiling and recessed lighting
Now we just need to figure out what to put in there. Most likely we will move the piano and a guest bed in there and make it a studio/rehearsal space/guest room. We will definitely need a good thick rug because with all that wood in there, it is unbelievably live right now. Now that this is finished, we move on to the kitchen remodel. We met with our designer last night and started working on the plans-I can’t believe things are finally moving forward! I probably won’t be nearly as excited once they’ve started ripping holes in all our walls.
The Mud Run is this weekend and I can’t say I’m too excited about it. I kind of wish I could skip it but since I’m part of a team, I guess I have to show up. I would feel better if it wasn’t over two hours away and they are suggesting that we get there at least 90 minutes before race time to be shuttled to the course. Doesn’t really sound like how I want to spend my Saturday morning, particularly since I have a duo concert on Sunday night. Here’s hoping I don’t break any bones at that race!
It is possible, however, that the real reason I am down on this mud run is that we are going down the night before to avoid having to leave our house at an obscene hour on Saturday, menaing that I will be spending my first night away from Ashok…ever. Even though he has been sleeping really terribly these last few weeks and I will probably sleep better in a hotel, and even though, yes, he is over a year old now and can certainly manage without me for a night, I will still be sad and worried and fretful.
Once the Mud Run is over, I have set myself up for a few new races in November and December and finally updated the Races section over to the right. I’m looking forward to all of these, especially since work (which has been absolutely insane sine the beginning of September) will have finally mellowed out. After November 5th, which will be my first performance ever of Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night, the big-ass cloud that has been looming over me for the last month will finally be gone. And then I’ll be free! free! free! A little work here and there but no big chamber music programs until January. That means lots of time with baby, TV and me. I can’t wait.
4 comments October 17th, 2007
Congratulations to my friend Greg F. who was able to finish Chicago in 3:30 (just before they closed it!) and despite the horrific conditions. I am so amazed and impressed by him. You go, viola boy!
Ashok has been pretty sick the last couple of days. He has had a raging fever that we thankfully, finally have under control. Brian stayed home with him yesterday and I canceled a rehearsal to be with him today. He seems to have finally turned the corner but is not 100% just yet. Brian sent me these pictures yesterday while I was at work:
He has been spending most of his time sleeping in our bed so he was none too happy when I put him down for a nap in his crib today. There has been no running for anyone this week, only caring for the little guy. If he’s up for it, I may take him out in the jogging stroller later but only if it warms up. Feel better, Ashok!
1 comment October 12th, 2007
Before I say anything else, head over to my friend Charlie’s blog to check out his latest Pick of the Week. Although I am disappointed by the omission of this gem, it is still an excellent collection of some of the finest entertainment You Tube has to offer.
The remodel of our back room is almost done! They are out there putting on the baseboards and window trim as I write this and expect to be completely done by Monday. Hooray! I will be sure to post some of the “after” pictures once everything is cleaned up. Now we just need to figure out what the hell we’re putting in there. Most likely the piano and a guest bed but my dream of a pool table and a bar still lingers.
No running stats to report this week as I keep forgetting to take my watch with me. It’s probably a good thing for me to take a break from looking at it every five seconds actually. The Mud Run is quickly approaching and although part of me is pretending that it’s not really happening, I also realize that I am in much better shape than I have been in a while. I have been trying to do some long hills as there is a portion of this race called “Suicide Hill.” Great.
Ashok has had quite a bit of excitement these past few weeks. He turned one last week and we threw him a little party in a nearby park with lots of friends and their kids. Here he is applauding his cake:
He also had some fun trying Indian food for the first time-specifically South Indian food, the food of my people. He had some idli and some masala dosa and they both went down easily.
(I don’t know why that picture is so blue and funky.) I’m so happy he liked it. Let’s hope he stays this open minded about food for a loooong time. At least until I’m not responsible for feeding him anymore. Then he can eat whatever the hell he wants.
3 comments October 6th, 2007