I got back from Japan yesterday and had a wonderful time! I spent about a week in Hiroshima with my friend Bo, his son Kaya and Kaya's fiance Yoli. Then I moved on to Kyoto where I made some friends at my hostel and we went out to see Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nara the couple of days that I spent with them. Off to Tokyo where I spent my birthday exploring and spent one day in search of Mt. Fuji. Nagoya was my last stop. One day there while I waited to fly out.
http://picasaweb.google.com/pamela.a.jacobsonThere are four albums from Japan. Since I only have a few days until I leave for Virginia I opted to have longer captions on the pictures instead of trying to get a blog out that would do my trip justice. The albums are in reverse order (most recent one first).
Only a slight change of plans for my drive to Virginia. I will no longer be stopping over in Las Vegas. Instead I will be heading straight to Flagstaff. So for everyone who I am visiting, that cannot seem to remember when I'm coming through (Maaaaarrrrrkkkkk... :)), here's a reminder.
March 28th-30th: Yosemite
March 30th-31st: Flagstaff
March 31st-April 2nd: Albuquerque
April 2nd-4th: Austin with a stop off in Rockwall on my way to...
April 4th-6th: Nashville with a stop off in Atlanta on my way to...
April 6th-8th: Ladson with a stop off in North Carolina on my way to...
April 8th: Virginia
Enjoy and I will talk to you all soon! Pam
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Atlanta, GA
(title is a link to my photo page)
My family just got back from our last family vacation since, well, we really couldn't tell you when. But unlike all of our other family vacations, this one included more than the immediate family that I have known my entire life.
My family just got back from our last family vacation since, well, we really couldn't tell you when. But unlike all of our other family vacations, this one included more than the immediate family that I have known my entire life.
This weekend we added Helen, Eddie, Jonathan, Barbara, Chip, Amanda, Roz, Mimi, Terry, Pam, Tessa, and Gillian to the mix! If there was ever a chance that my family could be considered dull before, it's gone now. We're still a loud, outspoken, intelligent, independant family that doesn't take ourselves too seriously. We are still a family (from what I could tell in a couple of days) that is lead by women. At least dad and Nate now have Eddie, Chip and Jonathan to double their numbers, but it is no match for the women in our family that grew almost five fold. I was so happy to find that three of the four of the girls, lets call them cousins to keep it simple, are living a mear three hours from my new home in Arlington, while the forth is an easy 10 hour drive to Atlanta. Mimi is in Atlanta and does sound design for the theaters and makes beautiful jewelry. She sells some of it on Etsy.com under the seller name Hummingrose, check it out! Pam is in the process of getting her Phd in American History. This makes her my hero. Here I am dreading the final classes to get my Bachlors, even wondering if it will come together, and she taking it all the way. Tessa and Gillian. Goodness these girls crack me up! Both are fabulously successful and living together in Manhattan. Tessa is in advertising and Gillian is a lawyer. I look at all of them and think of my grandmother smiling down on all of us. Each of us with such different strengths.
Aunt Roz, as I have known her for the past month or so, is my grandmother's aunt. More importantly she was her best friend. Through their friendship she met Vi's uncle who she later married. Before meeting Roz I had heard a few things that made me suspect that her and Vi have much in common. I was delighted to see that this is true. I miss my grandmother more and with each passing year. It seems that I am fortunate enough to share a lot of things with her, more with every year that I grow older, more with every year that my life goes on without her. As much as I loved this discovery, it also made me a little sad. I have never stopped missing her and the feeling of loss became fresh over the weekend. Having us all together would have made her so happy. I clung to that joy.
Before Roz's big 90th birthday party my parents, Nate and I went to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. It was so intense to stand there, just outside of his church, looking at the memorial for MLK as well as Coretta. These people sacrificed so much to do what was right, what is right. There was also a Gandhi room that was so interesting. Old pictures of him from law school etc. It was something that I had wanted to see on my drive to Virginia and am glad that I had a chance to see it with my family instead.
Roz's 90th birthday was a very diverse group of people. Ranging in age from Nate at 22 to Roz and some of her friends at 90 plus. The food was great and the company was even better. I met Marrel who has a son working to help bring education to Africa (http://www.educateafrica.org/), and has been since he was 17 living on a refugee camp in Uganda. Helen was another new addition on Sunday night. She is brassy and definately one to leave an impression.
All in all this was a great way for me to start this giant transition in my life. Most know that my family means the world to me. To have the beginning of new family ties near by helps me decompress a little when thinking about moving so far from home.
Friday, February 29, 2008
uNeMpLoYeD?!
There are so many things wrong with the word unemployment. The first, because it's the most obvious to me, has to be the queezy, the floor just dropped away from me and I'm falling into oblivion, feeling I have in my stomach.
The second problem is how unacomplished it sounds. It implies that my intention is to sit on my couch, eat Chili Cheese Fritos and watch reruns of Project Runway all day. I hate it. I even had the lady at Bank of America tell me to just put down my job that I was at for another four days so I could avoid sounding "tacky".
The third question is the very literal meaning of the word. I HAVE NO JOB! I have no income. I have nothing set up for when I get there. There is only so much security that comes with phone interviews.
These problems I have with being unemployed bring on the questions. What did I do? Am I crazy? Why not finish school here? I have a job! I like my job! More importantly, I like the people at my job!
You would have to have known me for at least four years to remember the last time I was unemployed. I was a basket case! Stress bucket! I was a damn wreck. I lost fifteen pounds in about a month and a half and my hair was falling out. It was ugly. Thank goodness for the Elephant Bar? Yeah, thank goodness for the Elephant Bar.
Next up... Wegman's or UPS?
The second problem is how unacomplished it sounds. It implies that my intention is to sit on my couch, eat Chili Cheese Fritos and watch reruns of Project Runway all day. I hate it. I even had the lady at Bank of America tell me to just put down my job that I was at for another four days so I could avoid sounding "tacky".
The third question is the very literal meaning of the word. I HAVE NO JOB! I have no income. I have nothing set up for when I get there. There is only so much security that comes with phone interviews.
These problems I have with being unemployed bring on the questions. What did I do? Am I crazy? Why not finish school here? I have a job! I like my job! More importantly, I like the people at my job!
You would have to have known me for at least four years to remember the last time I was unemployed. I was a basket case! Stress bucket! I was a damn wreck. I lost fifteen pounds in about a month and a half and my hair was falling out. It was ugly. Thank goodness for the Elephant Bar? Yeah, thank goodness for the Elephant Bar.
Next up... Wegman's or UPS?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
My Car Luck
Monday night my new car was broken into. They smashed in the back passenger side window. Gotta love the tweakers. When I got to my car I saw my CDs and my manual on the front seats of my car. Thought it was weird (I have a slight disconnect pre-coffee). I then saw the glass from my window all over my back seat.
Tuesday I went to get it fixed. Hung out at the Borders until I got the call that my car was ready. Went back, they hadn't done anything to it yet. So I decided to go and grab some food. As I walked into Panara a crazy man the manager was trying to escort out decided to start flailing about and smacked me in the head. Damn it! Maybe it will be nice to get back to a place where they hide their crazies in shame instead of embracing them like we do here in San Francisco. We're so used to them here that I didn't even get a free meal. Why? Because we all know the crazies here, and we all know that it's no body's fault.
So Tuesday night they tried to break in again. Excuse me? Yeah, again. They took some kind of pick to the front passenger window. Totally dented and fucked up the paint between the window and the windshield and chipped the window enough for me to have to get a new one. Thank goodness the guy at the glass place was cool and let it all go down as one claim.
I tried to park in the Lucky's garage overnight but it doesn't open until 7 am so I had to risk parking on the street again. Decided to risk getting hit by some idiot and parked on Masonic where I knew there would always be people around to catch someone fucking with my car again.
All in all it has been a bullshit week. I'm quite over it at the moment. Especially after the hours of packing last night and sleeping on the floor. Ug.
In spite of all of the nonsense listed above I have decided that the persistent assault on my car is a good thing. Why? Because I have horrible car luck and I would rather get it out of the way here, with one little broken window, than worry about it driving across country or when I get to Virginia. Why do I feel like something bad happening to my car is a guarantee? Here's why... (in the order that I can think of them off of the top of my head)
1. First accident. Slid my first Sentra under the bumper of a pick-up truck.
2. (2nd Sentra) Was T-ed by a guy in a GT Mustang who ran a stop sign going about 60, getting off of the freeway. My car spun twice and was almost totalled.
3. Dance recital senior year. My car was vandalized. Seats slashed, car trashed, all panels keyed and all tires slashed.
4. Rear ended by a nice big ol' Dodge Ram leaving school.
5. Clipped by a guy who was exiting at Fell Street while I was at a stand still waiting to get onto the bridge. Shattered my side mirror in my face and knocked my back bumper. BONUS: He didn't notice he hit me and didn't have plates yet (the car was a week old) and so I had to chase him through San Francisco until he finally stopped. FARMER'S INSURANCE (aka. The Worst Insurance Co I have ever dealt with) almost didn't cover him because his policy was so new.
6. Rear ended in New Orleans. I got the extra insurance on the rental so we didn't stop. Troy and Nate were scared.
7. Back window broken to steal my stereo in Jill's hood.
8. Backed into at the Benicia Bridge toll booth when the guy forgot his change.
9. Was backed into by a VERY senior couple while I was having my interview at Bank of the West.
10. The front end of my car was clipped by the suspect in a high speed chase through Pleasant Hill.
11. Someone stole my muffler off of my car (but hey, they put the little support straps back on). I didn't notice until I had to have a guy come out to jump my battery. I asked him if he could take a look and see if he knew why my car was running so loud. Could the muffler be broken? (I am not car savvy okay?) He looked under my car and said, "You don't have one."
12. I rear ended a lady. My bad...
13. Someone "Zorro'ed" the side of my car with their keys.
14. Someone side swiped my mom's Pathfinder on Masonic while I was borrowing it.
15. A little old man backed into my car in his minivan in the Villas.
Pretty sure I have forgotten one or two. You get the gist. Send me good vibes! We don't need anymore incidents!
Tuesday I went to get it fixed. Hung out at the Borders until I got the call that my car was ready. Went back, they hadn't done anything to it yet. So I decided to go and grab some food. As I walked into Panara a crazy man the manager was trying to escort out decided to start flailing about and smacked me in the head. Damn it! Maybe it will be nice to get back to a place where they hide their crazies in shame instead of embracing them like we do here in San Francisco. We're so used to them here that I didn't even get a free meal. Why? Because we all know the crazies here, and we all know that it's no body's fault.
So Tuesday night they tried to break in again. Excuse me? Yeah, again. They took some kind of pick to the front passenger window. Totally dented and fucked up the paint between the window and the windshield and chipped the window enough for me to have to get a new one. Thank goodness the guy at the glass place was cool and let it all go down as one claim.
I tried to park in the Lucky's garage overnight but it doesn't open until 7 am so I had to risk parking on the street again. Decided to risk getting hit by some idiot and parked on Masonic where I knew there would always be people around to catch someone fucking with my car again.
All in all it has been a bullshit week. I'm quite over it at the moment. Especially after the hours of packing last night and sleeping on the floor. Ug.
In spite of all of the nonsense listed above I have decided that the persistent assault on my car is a good thing. Why? Because I have horrible car luck and I would rather get it out of the way here, with one little broken window, than worry about it driving across country or when I get to Virginia. Why do I feel like something bad happening to my car is a guarantee? Here's why... (in the order that I can think of them off of the top of my head)
1. First accident. Slid my first Sentra under the bumper of a pick-up truck.
2. (2nd Sentra) Was T-ed by a guy in a GT Mustang who ran a stop sign going about 60, getting off of the freeway. My car spun twice and was almost totalled.
3. Dance recital senior year. My car was vandalized. Seats slashed, car trashed, all panels keyed and all tires slashed.
4. Rear ended by a nice big ol' Dodge Ram leaving school.
5. Clipped by a guy who was exiting at Fell Street while I was at a stand still waiting to get onto the bridge. Shattered my side mirror in my face and knocked my back bumper. BONUS: He didn't notice he hit me and didn't have plates yet (the car was a week old) and so I had to chase him through San Francisco until he finally stopped. FARMER'S INSURANCE (aka. The Worst Insurance Co I have ever dealt with) almost didn't cover him because his policy was so new.
6. Rear ended in New Orleans. I got the extra insurance on the rental so we didn't stop. Troy and Nate were scared.
7. Back window broken to steal my stereo in Jill's hood.
8. Backed into at the Benicia Bridge toll booth when the guy forgot his change.
9. Was backed into by a VERY senior couple while I was having my interview at Bank of the West.
10. The front end of my car was clipped by the suspect in a high speed chase through Pleasant Hill.
11. Someone stole my muffler off of my car (but hey, they put the little support straps back on). I didn't notice until I had to have a guy come out to jump my battery. I asked him if he could take a look and see if he knew why my car was running so loud. Could the muffler be broken? (I am not car savvy okay?) He looked under my car and said, "You don't have one."
12. I rear ended a lady. My bad...
13. Someone "Zorro'ed" the side of my car with their keys.
14. Someone side swiped my mom's Pathfinder on Masonic while I was borrowing it.
15. A little old man backed into my car in his minivan in the Villas.
Pretty sure I have forgotten one or two. You get the gist. Send me good vibes! We don't need anymore incidents!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
ATLANTA, GA?!
Today my list of destinations in March has added one more. This brings my total to five locations that I will be visiting for at least a night.
The list begins with Japan. I will be there from March 10th to the 24th. Since I am yet to really sit down and decide where I want to go in Japan, they are being clustered into one location.
Then for my drive across country I will be visiting Yosemite, Las Vegas and Albuquerque from March 28th through the 31st.
Towards the end of my trip I was going to be stopping into Atlanta to visit a friend and some family that I have never met. Aunt Roz is my Grandma's cousin on my dad's side. Knowing my grandma makes me very excited to meet Aunt Roz. When my mom contacted her to see if she would be available the day I will be driving through, Aunt Roz told my mom about how she wish I could be there for her 90th birthday party on March 2nd and be able to stay for a couple of days. So as an extra bonus my family is now flying to Atlanta March 1st to the 3rd to surprise her.
For fun, and to add to my madness, I decided to look up all of the time differences I will be experiencing in the month of March. Here's how it goes:
San Francisco to Atlanta, March 1st, +3hours
Atlanta to San Francisco, March 3rd, -3hours
San Francisco to Nagoya, March 10th, +17hours
Nagoya to San Francisco, March 24th, -17hours
San Francisco to Yosemite, March 28th, 0hours
Yosemite to Las Vegas, March 30th, 0hours
Las Vegas to Albuquerque, March 31st, +1hour
And by the time I reach Arlington on April 8th I will be another 2 hours ahead. I have a feeling that no matter my travel before the month of March (Europe, Virginia, Florida...) I will be not even remotely close to prepared for the jetlag that is to come.
The list begins with Japan. I will be there from March 10th to the 24th. Since I am yet to really sit down and decide where I want to go in Japan, they are being clustered into one location.
Then for my drive across country I will be visiting Yosemite, Las Vegas and Albuquerque from March 28th through the 31st.
Towards the end of my trip I was going to be stopping into Atlanta to visit a friend and some family that I have never met. Aunt Roz is my Grandma's cousin on my dad's side. Knowing my grandma makes me very excited to meet Aunt Roz. When my mom contacted her to see if she would be available the day I will be driving through, Aunt Roz told my mom about how she wish I could be there for her 90th birthday party on March 2nd and be able to stay for a couple of days. So as an extra bonus my family is now flying to Atlanta March 1st to the 3rd to surprise her.
For fun, and to add to my madness, I decided to look up all of the time differences I will be experiencing in the month of March. Here's how it goes:
San Francisco to Atlanta, March 1st, +3hours
Atlanta to San Francisco, March 3rd, -3hours
San Francisco to Nagoya, March 10th, +17hours
Nagoya to San Francisco, March 24th, -17hours
San Francisco to Yosemite, March 28th, 0hours
Yosemite to Las Vegas, March 30th, 0hours
Las Vegas to Albuquerque, March 31st, +1hour
And by the time I reach Arlington on April 8th I will be another 2 hours ahead. I have a feeling that no matter my travel before the month of March (Europe, Virginia, Florida...) I will be not even remotely close to prepared for the jetlag that is to come.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Destination Virginia (change of plans)
There are a few of you that think this blog will contain the news that I am not leaving after all (Todd...), but in fact I am posting this to tell you just the opposite. I am leaving sooner.
As some of you know, my friend, Lisa, who I was going to be staying with when I moved in August, recently was offered a job (that she had better be gushing with pride over) in England. While this is a wonderful opportunity for her, it was the first wrench in the works for my plans. She leaves in May, and I wouldn't be moving until August.
Next up is Rob, a friend of mine in Colorado, who decided he just had to get married three days before I was scheduled to depart on my big cross country adventure. This would require a three day trip to Colorado before returning for my long ass drive.
Last, but not least, was Jackie who is getting married mid August here in San Francisco. Since the original plan was to take a month to drive across and really get to see this country of mine, I was going to have to find a way to fly back half way there.
Of course I could simply postpone my trip, or ditch the weddings. In my mind neither were an option. A little discouraged, and ignoring the signs that were telling me to hold off on this giant leap I have been so antsy to make, I kept planning.
A little history for this next part:
My landlord is damn useless and has not cashed any of our rent checks for the past six months. Why? Who knows? She doesn't return any phone calls. She doesn't fix what is broken and she won't clean the damn graffiti off of the front of our building.
Skinner, my roommate, wants to get her own place after I leave. Realizing that we are living month to month in our apartment, I suggested that we start looking for a place for her now and simply share the room (and save some cash) before I leave.
The original plan was based on the false-impression (created in my head of course) that I was stuck in my lease until August. With the above events, I realized, I was indeed not stuck anywhere!
Today at work I talked to Patrick, my manager, about my last day. I had planned it around my trip to D.C., to find a neighborhood to shop for an apartment in when I moved out, and the big 2-5 birthday trip to Hiroshima. I wanted my last day to be March 6th and he suggested February 28th, the last day of the month. With this I had to shift everything. I had every intention of getting a job at Whole Foods upon my return to transfer with to VA, and couldn't have an extra week without work because of the change. So the entire trip was bumped up a week.
Now this is where all of the pieces are going to come together. With my trip to Hiroshima ending on March 24th, and without a lease to keep me in San Francisco, why not leave sooner? I could avoid the costs of flying to D.C. before Hiroshima. I could avoid having to deal with getting a new job here and dipping into my savings before the cash flow came. I could move to Virginia with Lisa and David still there. (They haven't heard any of this yet... so it should be a hoot!)
So new plan everyone. March 28th is my date of departure. The route has been cut down quite a bit. So for those of you that I get to see on the way, pay attention :)
March 28th: Drive to Yosemite for the weekend. (Any and all are welcome if you are able to find a campsite. I have not yet.) I am hiking the backside of Half Dome on the 29th and then leaving on the 30th for...
March 30th: Las Vegas! It is only an overnighter but I am so excited to see Sarah, Shanon and the twins!
March 31st: Leave for Albuquerque. This is going to be a great trip. It is my grandma's birthday and I think that driving through the desert with her in my thoughts could be just what I need before reaching my destination. I will be spending the first of April with an old friend. I haven't seen her since she went to New Mexico and I think I will find peace in seeing her resting place.
April 2nd: Austin. That's right Mark, you can't get rid of me that easily! I'm still coming out to crash on your couch. Very exciting, you get me until the 4th... get ready!
April 4th: Nashville with Megan and Panama!! I just recently touched base with Megan again and I am so excited to see her city and her new sweet babe! I get to hang out there (if the new schedule works) until the 6th.
Mid-trek stop: Some of my grandma's cousins live in Atlanta and so I am hoping to stop in for lunch and to meet some family.
April 6th: David, Laura, Sierra and Luna. I'm stoked to see the new house all done up and hang out with a couple of my best friends and their rascally pups for a couple of days.
April 8th I leave for my final destination. Lisa and David in Virginia. I can't wait to see them.
Alright everyone. There you go.
As some of you know, my friend, Lisa, who I was going to be staying with when I moved in August, recently was offered a job (that she had better be gushing with pride over) in England. While this is a wonderful opportunity for her, it was the first wrench in the works for my plans. She leaves in May, and I wouldn't be moving until August.
Next up is Rob, a friend of mine in Colorado, who decided he just had to get married three days before I was scheduled to depart on my big cross country adventure. This would require a three day trip to Colorado before returning for my long ass drive.
Last, but not least, was Jackie who is getting married mid August here in San Francisco. Since the original plan was to take a month to drive across and really get to see this country of mine, I was going to have to find a way to fly back half way there.
Of course I could simply postpone my trip, or ditch the weddings. In my mind neither were an option. A little discouraged, and ignoring the signs that were telling me to hold off on this giant leap I have been so antsy to make, I kept planning.
A little history for this next part:
My landlord is damn useless and has not cashed any of our rent checks for the past six months. Why? Who knows? She doesn't return any phone calls. She doesn't fix what is broken and she won't clean the damn graffiti off of the front of our building.
Skinner, my roommate, wants to get her own place after I leave. Realizing that we are living month to month in our apartment, I suggested that we start looking for a place for her now and simply share the room (and save some cash) before I leave.
The original plan was based on the false-impression (created in my head of course) that I was stuck in my lease until August. With the above events, I realized, I was indeed not stuck anywhere!
Today at work I talked to Patrick, my manager, about my last day. I had planned it around my trip to D.C., to find a neighborhood to shop for an apartment in when I moved out, and the big 2-5 birthday trip to Hiroshima. I wanted my last day to be March 6th and he suggested February 28th, the last day of the month. With this I had to shift everything. I had every intention of getting a job at Whole Foods upon my return to transfer with to VA, and couldn't have an extra week without work because of the change. So the entire trip was bumped up a week.
Now this is where all of the pieces are going to come together. With my trip to Hiroshima ending on March 24th, and without a lease to keep me in San Francisco, why not leave sooner? I could avoid the costs of flying to D.C. before Hiroshima. I could avoid having to deal with getting a new job here and dipping into my savings before the cash flow came. I could move to Virginia with Lisa and David still there. (They haven't heard any of this yet... so it should be a hoot!)
So new plan everyone. March 28th is my date of departure. The route has been cut down quite a bit. So for those of you that I get to see on the way, pay attention :)
March 28th: Drive to Yosemite for the weekend. (Any and all are welcome if you are able to find a campsite. I have not yet.) I am hiking the backside of Half Dome on the 29th and then leaving on the 30th for...
March 30th: Las Vegas! It is only an overnighter but I am so excited to see Sarah, Shanon and the twins!
March 31st: Leave for Albuquerque. This is going to be a great trip. It is my grandma's birthday and I think that driving through the desert with her in my thoughts could be just what I need before reaching my destination. I will be spending the first of April with an old friend. I haven't seen her since she went to New Mexico and I think I will find peace in seeing her resting place.
April 2nd: Austin. That's right Mark, you can't get rid of me that easily! I'm still coming out to crash on your couch. Very exciting, you get me until the 4th... get ready!
April 4th: Nashville with Megan and Panama!! I just recently touched base with Megan again and I am so excited to see her city and her new sweet babe! I get to hang out there (if the new schedule works) until the 6th.
Mid-trek stop: Some of my grandma's cousins live in Atlanta and so I am hoping to stop in for lunch and to meet some family.
April 6th: David, Laura, Sierra and Luna. I'm stoked to see the new house all done up and hang out with a couple of my best friends and their rascally pups for a couple of days.
April 8th I leave for my final destination. Lisa and David in Virginia. I can't wait to see them.
Alright everyone. There you go.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Memories That Will Never Be
I had moved this blog over from my Facebook for safe keeping. I didn't intend to post it (as you might have noticed it has just surfaced now, at the end of February, but is dated quite earlier). I hung out with a couple of friends of mine last night and found out that one of my friend's former students had jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. I thought that I had heard about the person from someone else, but it turns out that two teenagers had jumped last year. So I decided to post this again, for all to read.
We all have lost. Losing someone so young is not comprehensible. It should never be something that you can understand. Losing someone to suicide is something that should leave you feeling helpless, and a little empty, always. It is a mark on your life that should never fade. Not because there is anything you could have done. That I have come to accept, there was little any of us could have done, but because experiencing someone losing all faith and hope in life should forever shift your foundation and alter your reality.
So I post this to say you are not alone. We're all in it together. And together, with lessons learned, perhaps we can recognize the signs and help those contemplating their end to realize that the faith and hope they are looking for is in themselves and in those that love them. And together we can also support those who will, inevitably, suffer this great tragedy.
After over ten years I will be visiting Karen's final resting place. I am hoping to find some peace in my heart there, for myself, as well as for her. Wishing you all peace.
May 23, 2007
The day is almost done and it feels like such a blur. Ten years have past but if I close my eyes the moment sneaks back in as though it were yesterday. Thinking back on my past ten years of life I cannot imagine how it could possibly have stayed so vivid.
I remember hearing the words from Jasmine down in her yard. She said them so matter-of-factly before taking a drag off of her cigarette. I smiled. I have always felt guilty about that smile. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t feeling an ounce of joy. It didn’t occur to me until a few years had past that I was in shock. Ten years later and I don’t think I would react any differently. At twenty four I am still as ill prepared as I was at fourteen for such devastating news.
I remember who I was with. I remember going downstairs to find my friends’ parents in the living room with my mom trying to figure out how to tell us. I do not remember anything from my life in those few months that did not have a direct connection to Karen. There was no room in my consciousness for anything else. It was not just coping with the loss of a friend, grieving is not something that you have to learn how to do, that part came naturally. It was coming to terms with never knowing why. Suicide comes with about a million different versions of the question why. To this day I have not a single answer.
We have all heard it in a time of loss, “Time will ease your pain/Time heals all/Just give it some time/It will be easier with time.”. Each year I wake up on May 23rd hoping that this is true, giving myself a moment to see how it will feel this year. I never have really felt much in that moment. At least not the stabbing pain that there should be. An ache in my stomach and a feeling of dread is as close as I ever get to the agony that is warranted. It is entirely possible that the loss was such a shock to my system that, to this day, I remain numb.
This year was different. Last night I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t sleep at all. For the first time in a couple years I cried for her. This year the day hit me like an eighteen wheeler. I woke up and was grateful for the dark. I wasn’t ready for the sun yet.
Thinking back on many of the different moments of hope, fear, sadness and excitement I have felt over the past ten years I became completely overwhelmed with the fact that she will never have those moments. She will never have a sense of independence with her first job and her first apartment. She will never have that warm ball of pride in her stomach with her first purchase using her first paycheck that is no ones but her own. She will never be able to appreciate the pure joy of grocery shopping on payday after over a week of nothing but pasta. She will never have a great love, a real relationship. She will never have that amazing feeling when the hopelessness of a devastating heartbreak is lifted with the potential of a new love.
After ten years something else has happened. The little bits of memories that fade with each passing day have now turned into a significant block, and I feel as though I‘m losing her. I remember more details about the days following her death than I do about the days we spent together while she was alive. I have forgotten her voice. How awful. The first picture of her face that I see in my head is one of a girl in a baby blue box with silver angels on the corners. I desperately wish it was one of her smile wearing her blue lipstick.
I never mourned her the way she deserved to be because I had no idea what she had really given up, neither did she. This year was different. This year I cried for her and all she will never see and do, for all that we will never see and do together and for all of my lost memories.
We miss you dear friend.
Karen Striplin
February 23, 1983-May 23 1997
We all have lost. Losing someone so young is not comprehensible. It should never be something that you can understand. Losing someone to suicide is something that should leave you feeling helpless, and a little empty, always. It is a mark on your life that should never fade. Not because there is anything you could have done. That I have come to accept, there was little any of us could have done, but because experiencing someone losing all faith and hope in life should forever shift your foundation and alter your reality.
So I post this to say you are not alone. We're all in it together. And together, with lessons learned, perhaps we can recognize the signs and help those contemplating their end to realize that the faith and hope they are looking for is in themselves and in those that love them. And together we can also support those who will, inevitably, suffer this great tragedy.
After over ten years I will be visiting Karen's final resting place. I am hoping to find some peace in my heart there, for myself, as well as for her. Wishing you all peace.
May 23, 2007
The day is almost done and it feels like such a blur. Ten years have past but if I close my eyes the moment sneaks back in as though it were yesterday. Thinking back on my past ten years of life I cannot imagine how it could possibly have stayed so vivid.
I remember hearing the words from Jasmine down in her yard. She said them so matter-of-factly before taking a drag off of her cigarette. I smiled. I have always felt guilty about that smile. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t feeling an ounce of joy. It didn’t occur to me until a few years had past that I was in shock. Ten years later and I don’t think I would react any differently. At twenty four I am still as ill prepared as I was at fourteen for such devastating news.
I remember who I was with. I remember going downstairs to find my friends’ parents in the living room with my mom trying to figure out how to tell us. I do not remember anything from my life in those few months that did not have a direct connection to Karen. There was no room in my consciousness for anything else. It was not just coping with the loss of a friend, grieving is not something that you have to learn how to do, that part came naturally. It was coming to terms with never knowing why. Suicide comes with about a million different versions of the question why. To this day I have not a single answer.
We have all heard it in a time of loss, “Time will ease your pain/Time heals all/Just give it some time/It will be easier with time.”. Each year I wake up on May 23rd hoping that this is true, giving myself a moment to see how it will feel this year. I never have really felt much in that moment. At least not the stabbing pain that there should be. An ache in my stomach and a feeling of dread is as close as I ever get to the agony that is warranted. It is entirely possible that the loss was such a shock to my system that, to this day, I remain numb.
This year was different. Last night I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t sleep at all. For the first time in a couple years I cried for her. This year the day hit me like an eighteen wheeler. I woke up and was grateful for the dark. I wasn’t ready for the sun yet.
Thinking back on many of the different moments of hope, fear, sadness and excitement I have felt over the past ten years I became completely overwhelmed with the fact that she will never have those moments. She will never have a sense of independence with her first job and her first apartment. She will never have that warm ball of pride in her stomach with her first purchase using her first paycheck that is no ones but her own. She will never be able to appreciate the pure joy of grocery shopping on payday after over a week of nothing but pasta. She will never have a great love, a real relationship. She will never have that amazing feeling when the hopelessness of a devastating heartbreak is lifted with the potential of a new love.
After ten years something else has happened. The little bits of memories that fade with each passing day have now turned into a significant block, and I feel as though I‘m losing her. I remember more details about the days following her death than I do about the days we spent together while she was alive. I have forgotten her voice. How awful. The first picture of her face that I see in my head is one of a girl in a baby blue box with silver angels on the corners. I desperately wish it was one of her smile wearing her blue lipstick.
I never mourned her the way she deserved to be because I had no idea what she had really given up, neither did she. This year was different. This year I cried for her and all she will never see and do, for all that we will never see and do together and for all of my lost memories.
We miss you dear friend.
Karen Striplin
February 23, 1983-May 23 1997
Monday, December 3, 2007
Las Vegas Marathon
Yesterday I ran the Las Vegas Marathon with my brother, Nate, and my friend Sarah. Jessie and Danielle bust out the half. It started as Sarah's 25th birthday party and ended up being one of the most self realizing days of my life.
I met Nate at SFO on Friday and after an hour delay we were off.
Once in Las Vegas we checked into the Luxor Hotel and changed to go to the Expo where we needed to sign up to run the marathon. First we went to register and get our bibs, shirts and goodie bags.
Then we met up with Sarah and Danielle to shop around before going back to the hotel to get ready to go out.
That night we met up with Mr. Mark (Mark, Sarah and I used to work at Bank of the West in Concord together back in the day) and his softball team for dinner. Good food and good people made for a great time before heading to the Hard Rock Cafe to gamble and get a little rowdy.
Back at their room we classed it up swiggin' Absolut and Diet Coke out of the bottle. We went down for everyone to gamble. Danielle won $100 and Nate, well, Nate cashed out, but he got to gamble for the first time since his 21st birthday. We made some friends at the bar with a few Philly boys and hung out until there was only one thing left to do... dance! 
I met Nate at SFO on Friday and after an hour delay we were off.
Once in Las Vegas we checked into the Luxor Hotel and changed to go to the Expo where we needed to sign up to run the marathon. First we went to register and get our bibs, shirts and goodie bags.
Then we met up with Sarah and Danielle to shop around before going back to the hotel to get ready to go out.That night we met up with Mr. Mark (Mark, Sarah and I used to work at Bank of the West in Concord together back in the day) and his softball team for dinner. Good food and good people made for a great time before heading to the Hard Rock Cafe to gamble and get a little rowdy.
Back at their room we classed it up swiggin' Absolut and Diet Coke out of the bottle. We went down for everyone to gamble. Danielle won $100 and Nate, well, Nate cashed out, but he got to gamble for the first time since his 21st birthday. We made some friends at the bar with a few Philly boys and hung out until there was only one thing left to do... dance! At the club we realized that Danielle lost her ID so we ditched the boys, got some food and crashed instead.
Saturday was a lazy day. Time to rest up for the marathon. Nate and I went out to dinner for our carb-fest at seven. By seven thirty I was in the middle of my salad and had an epiphany! How amazing would it be to eat my seafood risotto in my pj's watching TV? We got our food to go and went back to the room to get to bed early for our big day the next morning.
Five AM, holy shit! Time to get up and get ready to run.
We got dressed and went to meet up with the rest of the gang. Walking to the starting line Elvis welcomed us over the stereo, as well of the hundreds of Elvises that turned out to win the Guiness Book record for most Elvises to run a marathon. Robin Leach sent us on our way with a splash of fireworks.
The five of us started together. Running down The Strip past Blue Man Group and all of the glitter of Vegas. After the first mile we stopped to stretch and Nate split off on his own. I wasn't sure how he would do pacing himself but I should have known he would do great.
I ran with Sarah, Jessie and Danielle until Sarah had to rock the Port-O. Off we went on our own ways to face the open desert. It didn't take long before Baldwin caught me. The pace was good and I ran for the first eleven miles without stopping. God it felt amazing! Walking for 30 seconds to a minute at a time at the water stops helped me not burn out but slowed me down a bit. Sarah eventually ran on ahead and I was alone to let my mind wonder with the music blaring through my headphones. Through mile 17 we went back and forth passing each other and then she was on her way.
My legs started to burn. My joints were tight and the sun was bright. Only nine miles to go... ONLY? I ran off and on (more on than off. In the end I ran around 23 miles total) to mile 20. When I saw the mile 20 I knew I wanted it. Suddenly I knew I didn't just want to try, I wanted to get it, and I wanted to get it in under 6 hours... run!
The only way to get my legs to go was to go up on my toes and lean forward giving them an ultimatum: run, or eat pavement.
Mile 24 made me want to do cartwheels. I had 40 minutes to get there at the six hour marker. I thought the guy running next to me was going to collapse with laughter as I did my "lean forward and run" routine. Move your ass, move your ass, move your ass... Go! I ran in spurts and walked as fast as I could. I have never had to dig so deep inside of my being to get something done. It took everything I had, and I didn't hesitate for a moment to give it all.
I forgot that there is a ".2" at the end of the "26" so when I saw the 26 mile marker and no one there I choked up, and started running like I had been at mile eight. God I'm not finished yet! When I saw the finish line I started to cry. The wave of emotion was so intense. Every time I thought of the marathon, while I was training, the moment at the finish line never crossed my mind. Maybe I didn't really think that I would finish. Yet here I was, 26.2 miles later, finishing a full marathon in 5 hours 45 minutes. When I saw everyone at the finish line Sarah's eyes caught mine and we both lost it. Crossing the finish line they put a medal around my neck and handed me a rose. Oh my God, this is real.
Sarah finished ten minutes ahead of me and Nate, the freak of nature that he is, finished in four and a quarter hours. It is a great thing for us all to share and I am so proud of them.
After we got all of our stuff together Mike and Donna (Sarah's parents) took us to get some food. It was neat to see people walking around wearing their medals. We all had the same "I just ran further than any human body was ever made to run" limp and couldn't help but smile at one another.
After brunch we went back to the room, showered and slept. We went to dinner for Baldwin's birthday and then Nate and I had to get to the airport.
Saturday was a lazy day. Time to rest up for the marathon. Nate and I went out to dinner for our carb-fest at seven. By seven thirty I was in the middle of my salad and had an epiphany! How amazing would it be to eat my seafood risotto in my pj's watching TV? We got our food to go and went back to the room to get to bed early for our big day the next morning.
Five AM, holy shit! Time to get up and get ready to run.
We got dressed and went to meet up with the rest of the gang. Walking to the starting line Elvis welcomed us over the stereo, as well of the hundreds of Elvises that turned out to win the Guiness Book record for most Elvises to run a marathon. Robin Leach sent us on our way with a splash of fireworks.
The five of us started together. Running down The Strip past Blue Man Group and all of the glitter of Vegas. After the first mile we stopped to stretch and Nate split off on his own. I wasn't sure how he would do pacing himself but I should have known he would do great.I ran with Sarah, Jessie and Danielle until Sarah had to rock the Port-O. Off we went on our own ways to face the open desert. It didn't take long before Baldwin caught me. The pace was good and I ran for the first eleven miles without stopping. God it felt amazing! Walking for 30 seconds to a minute at a time at the water stops helped me not burn out but slowed me down a bit. Sarah eventually ran on ahead and I was alone to let my mind wonder with the music blaring through my headphones. Through mile 17 we went back and forth passing each other and then she was on her way.My legs started to burn. My joints were tight and the sun was bright. Only nine miles to go... ONLY? I ran off and on (more on than off. In the end I ran around 23 miles total) to mile 20. When I saw the mile 20 I knew I wanted it. Suddenly I knew I didn't just want to try, I wanted to get it, and I wanted to get it in under 6 hours... run!
The only way to get my legs to go was to go up on my toes and lean forward giving them an ultimatum: run, or eat pavement.
Mile 24 made me want to do cartwheels. I had 40 minutes to get there at the six hour marker. I thought the guy running next to me was going to collapse with laughter as I did my "lean forward and run" routine. Move your ass, move your ass, move your ass... Go! I ran in spurts and walked as fast as I could. I have never had to dig so deep inside of my being to get something done. It took everything I had, and I didn't hesitate for a moment to give it all.
I forgot that there is a ".2" at the end of the "26" so when I saw the 26 mile marker and no one there I choked up, and started running like I had been at mile eight. God I'm not finished yet! When I saw the finish line I started to cry. The wave of emotion was so intense. Every time I thought of the marathon, while I was training, the moment at the finish line never crossed my mind. Maybe I didn't really think that I would finish. Yet here I was, 26.2 miles later, finishing a full marathon in 5 hours 45 minutes. When I saw everyone at the finish line Sarah's eyes caught mine and we both lost it. Crossing the finish line they put a medal around my neck and handed me a rose. Oh my God, this is real.
Sarah finished ten minutes ahead of me and Nate, the freak of nature that he is, finished in four and a quarter hours. It is a great thing for us all to share and I am so proud of them.After we got all of our stuff together Mike and Donna (Sarah's parents) took us to get some food. It was neat to see people walking around wearing their medals. We all had the same "I just ran further than any human body was ever made to run" limp and couldn't help but smile at one another.After brunch we went back to the room, showered and slept. We went to dinner for Baldwin's birthday and then Nate and I had to get to the airport.
Today I have pain like nothing I have ever felt. I hurt. I hurt really bad. My muscles are getting better (the sudden muscle spasms in my legs that threaten to topple me over are fewer and further between and I can bend my knees again). My ankle is soooo fucked up! Wow! I didn't know I could have done it so dirty and still been able to stand let alone finished the race. I was wrong, ha ha! I can feel the tendinitis in my left ankle, that hindered my training a couple of months ago, all throughout my foot now. The tendinitis in my hip from my Elephant Bar days is back and I am pretty sure my right big toe nail is comin' off. All of this is overshadowed by this ridiculous feeling of accomplishment I have. I can't help but smile through the exhaustion of two hours of sleep and the intense workout of yesterday.
Nate says he would never do it again. I will. I will train easier but longer and fully intend to chip away at my time with every go at it. In the mean time it is great to know that five or even ten Ks won't be a problem and will even be something that I will enjoy to do in the future.
I know that this was my accomplishment. I took those 55 thousand steps (I wore a pedometer my mom gave me just to see) all on my own. But I have to thank Baldwin for planting the idea as a possibility. I would have never done it on my own.
**More pictures in my Picasa album linked below.**
Nate says he would never do it again. I will. I will train easier but longer and fully intend to chip away at my time with every go at it. In the mean time it is great to know that five or even ten Ks won't be a problem and will even be something that I will enjoy to do in the future.
I know that this was my accomplishment. I took those 55 thousand steps (I wore a pedometer my mom gave me just to see) all on my own. But I have to thank Baldwin for planting the idea as a possibility. I would have never done it on my own.
**More pictures in my Picasa album linked below.**
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Online Apartment Hunt
Of all of the apartments that I have browsed over the past month this picture really is the best. How do you list an apartment and post a picture of a bedroom with a pole in the middle with no explanation?I can make all of the assumptions I want, but Virginia definately will have some surprises in store for me!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Big Sur, CA with Skinner, Yiming, Jon and Jason
By the end of the day on Monday I was ready to go. It took every bit of my willpower to I went home and packed and packed and prepped food and prepped food...
Driving down the coast was amazing. I haven't driven down all the way down the coast in daylight in years. The California coast still takes my breath away. I pulled into a turn out and stood at the edge of the cliff. It only took a moment to be lost in the curvature of the horizon. I have never found another place where I feel like I am standing on the edge of the world. I needed so badly to escape from my thoughts, even if just for a moment.
Getting down to the campsite made me smile. Remembering time spent in that very site with Dori, and nearby with Baldwin, Sarah, Matt, Jason and Mark, the gorge with my family, the memories flooded back.
We left soon after for Buzzard's Roost, a three mile hike round trip... uphill. After a couple of weeks without running I was more than game! Racing to the top the view ended up being anticlimatic but the breeze was worth it. The treck back down was easy and we were back at camp before we knew it.
Jon took off to get some things that I forgot. Hey, it was bound to happen. When he got back we all decided to go to the beach. It was spectacular. Everyone split off to explore on their own. Of course, I ended up in the water. I rolled up my jeans but my attention soon strayed and I was soaked. There was a great rock formation and tide pools. After a while we all met back up and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a bottle of red. 
After sunset we drove back and I went for a short dip in the river. I do it everytime I'm there. It being November doesn't change anything. I went to take a shower and came back to a nice big fire.
Friday morning it was a bit more of a rush than I thought. It started with me hacking my finger and so I ran around packing with one usable hand. Jason dropped his tent by and my mom brought over a few odds and ends that I had forgotten in Benicia. Loaded up the car and headed out.
Driving down the coast was amazing. I haven't driven down all the way down the coast in daylight in years. The California coast still takes my breath away. I pulled into a turn out and stood at the edge of the cliff. It only took a moment to be lost in the curvature of the horizon. I have never found another place where I feel like I am standing on the edge of the world. I needed so badly to escape from my thoughts, even if just for a moment. Getting down to the campsite made me smile. Remembering time spent in that very site with Dori, and nearby with Baldwin, Sarah, Matt, Jason and Mark, the gorge with my family, the memories flooded back.I set up the tents fast and unloaded the firewood etc. It was dark before I knew it and so I sat down to read. The family camping next to our site invited me over for dinner. They were very nice and it was great to have some company.
The rest of the gang showed up around ten. They had some minor car problems that had slowed them down. I was so happy to see all of them. We had finally arrived! Some beers and a few hot dogs around the fire and the stress of the week completely melted away.
The next morning I was up at eight and everyone else soon followed (with some resistance). Jon melted his super-dooper camping fork making bacon and we all sat around the fire eatting eggs, bacon, and crossants friend in butter and honey.
We left soon after for Buzzard's Roost, a three mile hike round trip... uphill. After a couple of weeks without running I was more than game! Racing to the top the view ended up being anticlimatic but the breeze was worth it. The treck back down was easy and we were back at camp before we knew it. Jon took off to get some things that I forgot. Hey, it was bound to happen. When he got back we all decided to go to the beach. It was spectacular. Everyone split off to explore on their own. Of course, I ended up in the water. I rolled up my jeans but my attention soon strayed and I was soaked. There was a great rock formation and tide pools. After a while we all met back up and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a bottle of red. After sunset we drove back and I went for a short dip in the river. I do it everytime I'm there. It being November doesn't change anything. I went to take a shower and came back to a nice big fire. We cooked dinner. It was damn good if I do say so myself! Chicken and veggies cooked in foil over the fire. Some lively conversation and beers passed the time as the rain moved in and then really started to dump. Around nine we decided to call it a night. Skinner, Yiming and I were in my parents' old tent. It leaked like crazy! I was able to catch a few hours of sleep before getting up to go to work.
In the morning the weather hadn't passed so almost everything that I loaded into my car was wet. The frosting on the cake was Jon's stove not lighting, gah! No coffee!
Three hours later and I was at Earl's for work. Gobbed in mud and smelling of campfire smoke I welcomed a new week. 
Back to the grind...
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
POINT A TO POINT B (and the yummy, gooey stuff in the middle): The plan
CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP AND SOME BALLPARK DATES
Any ideas you can give me would be so appreciated! I want the goods people...
1. San Francisco, CA to Yosemite National Park (5 hours, 195 miles)
8/01-8/04
I haven't been to Yosemite in years so I knew it had to be my first stop. I leave the first of August and it just so happens to be a Friday. (Hoping this will turn into a fun California crew camping trip... or anyone who feels like hiking the backside of Half Dome!)
2. Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas, NV (7 hours, 350 miles)
8/4-8/6
Off to Vegas! But not the Vegas that most go to visit... I'm going to see Custer, Shannon and the twins! Yey Ben and Soph!
3. Las Vegas, NV to Zion National Park, Springdale, UT (2 ½ hours, 158 miles)
8/6-8/9
I can't wait for Zion National Park. I have been hearing about it forever from everyone and am so excited. A side trip to the north ridge of the Grand Canyon... perfection.
4. Springdale, UT to Denver, CO (9 ¼ hours, 634 miles)
8/9-8/10
Hoping that Robbie will still be there (The only time that I have ever wanted him not to move back to California), if not Jeff might have to loan me a couch.
5. Denver, CO to Albuquerque, NM (6 ½ hours, 448 miles)
8/10-8/12
Visiting an old friend. I'm hoping I can find her.
6. Albuquerque, NM to Austin, TX (12 hours, 841 miles)
8/12-8/14
If Mark doesn't move to China I'm hijacking his couch and making him show me around the only (from what I hear for a San Francisco local) tolerable city in Texas.
7. Austin, TX to Fort Worth, TX (3 hours, 189 miles)
8/14-8/15
Where Skinner's folks said I could stay! I am really excited to see where she grew up.
8. Fort Worth, TX to New Orleans, LA (8 ½ hours, 559 miles)
8/15-8/17
I love Louisiana. Jason's mom offered me a place to stay. I would really like to see more of the swamp lands.
9. New Orleans, LA to Memphis, TN (6 hours, 399 miles)
8/17-8/19
One thing sold me on Memphis... and it wasn't Elvis. BBQ!! All of the guide books say it's the place to be for rib joints and I'm all in!
10. Memphis, TN to Nashville, TN (3 ¼ hours, 214 miles)
8/19-8/21
Yee Haw! I'm going to all of the country bars and doin' the town right in my cowboy boots and painted on jeans! Not to even mention how excited I am to see Megan and meet Miss Panama!
11. Nashville, TN to Birmingham, AL (3 hours, 191 miles)
8/21-8/22
So much history. Impossible to pass up but not enough time to do it justice. At least I can get one god day in.
12. Birmingham, AL to Charlotte, NC (6 ¼ hours, 393 miles)
8/22-8/23
It's a good half way point and I've heard some good things. If I feel up to busting out a 13 hour drive I might pass if no one can give me a good reason to stop.
13. Charlotte, NC to Arlington, VA (6 ½ hours, 400 miles)
HOME!
Any ideas you can give me would be so appreciated! I want the goods people...
1. San Francisco, CA to Yosemite National Park (5 hours, 195 miles)
8/01-8/04
I haven't been to Yosemite in years so I knew it had to be my first stop. I leave the first of August and it just so happens to be a Friday. (Hoping this will turn into a fun California crew camping trip... or anyone who feels like hiking the backside of Half Dome!)
2. Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas, NV (7 hours, 350 miles)
8/4-8/6
Off to Vegas! But not the Vegas that most go to visit... I'm going to see Custer, Shannon and the twins! Yey Ben and Soph!
3. Las Vegas, NV to Zion National Park, Springdale, UT (2 ½ hours, 158 miles)
8/6-8/9
I can't wait for Zion National Park. I have been hearing about it forever from everyone and am so excited. A side trip to the north ridge of the Grand Canyon... perfection.
4. Springdale, UT to Denver, CO (9 ¼ hours, 634 miles)
8/9-8/10
Hoping that Robbie will still be there (The only time that I have ever wanted him not to move back to California), if not Jeff might have to loan me a couch.
5. Denver, CO to Albuquerque, NM (6 ½ hours, 448 miles)
8/10-8/12
Visiting an old friend. I'm hoping I can find her.
6. Albuquerque, NM to Austin, TX (12 hours, 841 miles)
8/12-8/14
If Mark doesn't move to China I'm hijacking his couch and making him show me around the only (from what I hear for a San Francisco local) tolerable city in Texas.
7. Austin, TX to Fort Worth, TX (3 hours, 189 miles)
8/14-8/15
Where Skinner's folks said I could stay! I am really excited to see where she grew up.
8. Fort Worth, TX to New Orleans, LA (8 ½ hours, 559 miles)
8/15-8/17
I love Louisiana. Jason's mom offered me a place to stay. I would really like to see more of the swamp lands.
9. New Orleans, LA to Memphis, TN (6 hours, 399 miles)
8/17-8/19
One thing sold me on Memphis... and it wasn't Elvis. BBQ!! All of the guide books say it's the place to be for rib joints and I'm all in!
10. Memphis, TN to Nashville, TN (3 ¼ hours, 214 miles)
8/19-8/21
Yee Haw! I'm going to all of the country bars and doin' the town right in my cowboy boots and painted on jeans! Not to even mention how excited I am to see Megan and meet Miss Panama!
11. Nashville, TN to Birmingham, AL (3 hours, 191 miles)
8/21-8/22
So much history. Impossible to pass up but not enough time to do it justice. At least I can get one god day in.
12. Birmingham, AL to Charlotte, NC (6 ¼ hours, 393 miles)
8/22-8/23
It's a good half way point and I've heard some good things. If I feel up to busting out a 13 hour drive I might pass if no one can give me a good reason to stop.
13. Charlotte, NC to Arlington, VA (6 ½ hours, 400 miles)
HOME!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Recent Festivities
I have been on a kick lately where I want to do everything I can here in San Francisco before I leave. With the one year out marker passing on by it that means that there are many last chances to be had! On top of that I have a great group of friends that are equally into getting out there and seeing what the city has to offer so it has been super fun to put together San Francisco stuff for us to do. Here are some of the recent goodies!
The "We're Not Moving Party": Kate, me, Nate, Stacy, Jon (right) Skinner, Amanda and Nina (left)
My Project Rwanda Fundraiser: Me, Kate and Eric (left) Pablo, Will, Christie, Jon and Skinner (right)
Heather's Wiggin' out 24th Birthday Party: Natalie, me, Heather, Ash and Dana (left) Natalie, Heather, Naia, me and Ash (right)
Friday, October 26, 2007
Funky Door Fun!
I'm going to start this thing off with an up curve. It has been one of the only ones I have had over the past couple of weeks and I needed it.
*Just to put it into context, here is what the up curve is countering:
1. A couple of micromanaging folks at work that are going to drive me mad.
2. Dealing with the guilt of planning events for work that I know they might not want me to be part of since I will be giving notice before they actually happen.
3. My grandma is getting back surgery next week.
4. My jacked ankle, again and again and again and again... that's an exageration, this is only a three-peat.
5. A boy. Not getting into it because it's irrelivant and just something that needs to be moved past into the solid friendship I know it can be.
6. The missed opportunity of living near Lisa and David. I stayed in San Francisco for my job but just prolonged the inevitable. Now they are moving to London before I get there.
7. The stupid bitch that I rear ended is now claiming injury and so is her passenger.
**that's enough of that, but Bikram makes me happy, in spite of all of this crap...
A week ago I hurt my ankle running. I thought it was a foot cramp but now it appears that we are looking at tendinitis and a couple of other things that I can't pronounce. That means no running. None, nada, NO RUNNING. It makes me so sad. Another bump in the road that is my left ankle (Jay, we should just keep an open line of credit on this one don'tcha think, ha ha).
I swim a couple of times a week but I'm not a huge fan. It was after I got hurt that I found Bikram Yoga at the Funky Door! Bikram pushes and pushes until you want to die. And they do it in 110 degree heat. I love it! No walking on eggshells because of my injuries, no modifications just in case. It's all the way, the whole time, and it makes me feel wonderful!
As for the ankle, I have to change my Sports Medicine appointment and get a call back on my xrays. I am also waiting on a call back from the one and only Rock Star Gray Williams, my surgeon, for a second opinion. Wait and see time. Just hoping they figure it out before the marathon.
NOTE: I'm still running bitches! It's not over until I say so.
*Just to put it into context, here is what the up curve is countering:
1. A couple of micromanaging folks at work that are going to drive me mad.
2. Dealing with the guilt of planning events for work that I know they might not want me to be part of since I will be giving notice before they actually happen.
3. My grandma is getting back surgery next week.
4. My jacked ankle, again and again and again and again... that's an exageration, this is only a three-peat.
5. A boy. Not getting into it because it's irrelivant and just something that needs to be moved past into the solid friendship I know it can be.
6. The missed opportunity of living near Lisa and David. I stayed in San Francisco for my job but just prolonged the inevitable. Now they are moving to London before I get there.
7. The stupid bitch that I rear ended is now claiming injury and so is her passenger.
**that's enough of that, but Bikram makes me happy, in spite of all of this crap...
A week ago I hurt my ankle running. I thought it was a foot cramp but now it appears that we are looking at tendinitis and a couple of other things that I can't pronounce. That means no running. None, nada, NO RUNNING. It makes me so sad. Another bump in the road that is my left ankle (Jay, we should just keep an open line of credit on this one don'tcha think, ha ha).
I swim a couple of times a week but I'm not a huge fan. It was after I got hurt that I found Bikram Yoga at the Funky Door! Bikram pushes and pushes until you want to die. And they do it in 110 degree heat. I love it! No walking on eggshells because of my injuries, no modifications just in case. It's all the way, the whole time, and it makes me feel wonderful!
As for the ankle, I have to change my Sports Medicine appointment and get a call back on my xrays. I am also waiting on a call back from the one and only Rock Star Gray Williams, my surgeon, for a second opinion. Wait and see time. Just hoping they figure it out before the marathon.
NOTE: I'm still running bitches! It's not over until I say so.
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