A Few Things

Something that I have learned about owning a cat (having a cat own you) is that the position in which you ultimately fall asleep at night is often governed by the moment at which the cat decides to fall asleep on you.

That tendency for a cat to sleep wherever he pleases also caused me to completely move where I was sitting to work on a knitting project last night. Shortly after I got comfortable, the cat woke up, looked at me like "oh, were you sitting here?" then got up and left. Of course I was already comfortable and wasn't going to move again just to prove a point to a creature with limited short term memory. 


Another thing I have learned is that since I have lost weight (77 pounds now, 29 to go) I have not had heartburn. I used to get it all the time. Is it the loss of weight or the avoidance of fried foods? I guess I'll never know, but I'm also not going to question it. I rarely get back pain (unless I oversleep. That's been consistent throughout my life though - sleep more than 8 hours, wake up with lower back pain that goes away pretty quickly. 

In a semi related story, since I paid attention from a free little tip from a swim instructor at the Y and changed my stroke just slightly, my recurring shoulder pain has almost vanished. I still get regular massages. I think everyone should. I got one to reward myself for doing the Monster Dash and the YWCA Indoor Tri, which I finished 10 minutes faster than last year. I am signed up for the next one in January. 

This is a status report.

So this is what I looked like in 2005 (late 2005 I think)

I honestly have no idea how much I weighed because I wasn't particularly friendly with a scale. Actually I still don'y own one but this was before I joined the Y and had access to a scale.

This is me right now (2011). Since my 2010 doctors appointment, I've lost 67 lbs. I have done this by counting every damn calorie that I eat. I am running up to 8.75 miles in one trip, continuing to go to the Y, and walking whenever weather or time permits.

I am not using any crash diet. I am not taking supplements. I am not giving my attention to any fad television shows which show people losing weight at an unhealthy and potentially harmful rate, which in turn validates eating disorders amongst the viewing public. I am not beating myself up if I have a week where I lose less than I wanted to, and I am not slowing down anytime soon. I don't own a scale, I weigh myself at the Y once a week. That's really all that anyone needs to do. Any more than that is obsessing.... I suppose if I had a scale at home I could weigh my cat, but really, I already know he's huge.

I am signed up for a 5K on 10/29/2011 and another Indoor Triathlon on 11/6/2011. I am not "training." I don't even know what "training" really means. I am not doing a prescribed set of exercises because someone says they are the way to prepare. I am not interested in doing a marathon. I am exercising every day, and trying to keep it interesting. If that means going on longer runs like the 8.75 mile course that takes me from home, around two lakes, and back again, then that is what it means. If it means going to the Midtown YWCA and running 36 laps (6 miles) on the indoor track, then it's all good. If that means swimming, water aerobics, elliptical machine, Walk Away the Pounds DVD (which is great when you live on the top floor - no bouncing!), Yoga DVD, walking around the mall a million times, hiking, skiing, canoodling, then it's all good! My only goal is to feel good, burn calories, be awesome - in no particular order.

As of today: 67 lbs down 39 to go.

U2 Puts On A Show

A picture of what Dodger Stadium might look like

In 1993, I got to go see U2's "Zoo TV Outside Broadcast Tour" at Dodger Stadium due to the fact that my ex's mother had basically purchased a row of tickets. When she called me to ask if I wanted to go, it was evident that she had no idea that the band was at all huge or that the show had sold out. Not counting a group trip to see Paula Abdul and Boyz II Men when I was 16, this was my first "Real" concert, and it was fantastic. It was huge. They had a belly dancer on stage, Bono spoke to my heart with his liberal world-view, and there was a video segment which allowed Bono do duet with Lou Reed on Satellite of Love (and I have loved Lou Reed since far before age 16). It took an inordinate amount of time to get from Orange to Los Angeles and we bought tee shirts from vendors who were basically standing out on the Freeway which was so far backed up that they were in no danger of physical harm. I honestly don't remember if I bought that tee shirt or if it was bought for me, it was a long time ago. (Holy crud, 18 years ago doing the math) I have no idea what happened to that tee shirt, but if I had held on to it, I would have worn it last night. 

The stage resembled "some type of crustacean."

A few weeks ago, my friend Sara left me a voicemail message while my phone was in my locker at the Y. She wanted to know if I would be at all interested in going with her to the U2 360 concert at TCF Bank Stadium, as her husband was not particularly interested. She specified that she had obtained the tickets so long ago (this show had to be rescheduled about a year ago) that she wasn't even going to ask me to pay her. Would I ever! 

The TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus is very new, very nice, and very crappy with regards to parking and traffic control. Umbrellas and backpacks are prohibited, which is great when the forecast calls for rain. I decided to go poncho-free, partly because Sara had only been able to locate one when she was on her way, but I honestly wouldn't have chosen a poncho because being plain wet is better in my opinion than being clammy with the feeling of wet even though your brain knows your dry.

Interpol was the opening act. Not super familiar with them. We tried to look them up online, but both my Blackberry and Sara's iPhone were having data problems. 60,000 people all trying to update Facebook creates problems with the network. Imagine that. 

To pass the time, we watched the stagehands through the binoculars as they tore down Interpol and got everything ready for U2 (I saw someone I know on the crew, which is a testament to Sara's awesome binoculars!) We determined that the setpiece resembled some sort of crustacean. 

Around dark, the show actually began. It was quite good, and if you hadn't bought a ticket and were outside, you should have been able to hear just fine. Bono used the rain as an excuse to sing snippets of "Rain" (by The Beatles), "Singin in the Rain" and "Purple Rain" (local area statute requires at least one Prince acknowledgement by all visitors).

"It's A Beautiful Day" was performed as a "duet" of sorts with NASA Commander Mark Kelly (husband of Gabrielle Giffords, and if you don't know who she is, look it up).
Because YouTube is Awesome, here it is:

 

Sound is kind of iffy, but this will give you the general idea

At one point, Bono dedicated the song "Stuck In A Moment" to Amy Winehouse, as she had passed away that day, and about halfway through the song the Aquatennial fireworks started in clear visibility to most of the people in the stadium, as if she had answered the dedication somehow. 

I'm wearing a hat.

The fireworks lasted for several songs and the rain got harder as the evening progressed. I looked around and there were a few empty seats and a lot of ponchos. I thought I was okay because I was wearing a hat. Bono was wearing a hat as well - in fact, he brought two hats, he actually changed his hat at one point, so I felt justified. Adam Clayton took a different approach and took his shirt off. Now there's a guy who obviously works out... The rain was starting to get on my nerves when I started thinking about how in Zen Buddhism they talk about being able to "sit" through anything. Well, I wasn't going to "sit" as my seat was wet, but I supposed that the same logic could apply to standing and by default, that logic could also apply to dancing. I decided, therefore, that I would "dance" through the discomfort, and I found 

that I was not uncomfortable at all. The rain was rather invigorating, looked really neat falling through the lighting, and not too long after it stopped raining, I was moderately dry. 

Getting home was a new adventure. We were initially going to look for a cab, but there were none to be found. With my personal knowledge of the bus system, I got us onto a 6 to head for downtown. The sea of people walking into traffic at this time was unnerving. Do they no longer teach kindergarteners that it is an inherently bad idea to walk into traffic? We made it downtown though, and after a walkabout seeking a cab for the final leg of my journey (not Sara's as she had parked at my place), we resigned ourselves to wait for the bus. 

Upon entering the bus, in the seating section known lovingly as the "peanut gallery" there was a tall skinny man wearing 4 pairs of sunglasses and a homemade tee shirt that said "BORN BONO." This was nothing compared to the nonsense coming out of his mouth. I tried, I tried so very very hard not to pay attention to him, but in the last bit before our stop when he declared "I'm going to take off my pants!" I just burst into laughter. (Note: this individual was so high on whatever it was he had taken that I seriously believe that he lacked the proper dexterity to remove an article of clothing.)

A picture of what U2 might look like.

Although I still kind of prefer seeing smaller bands in smaller venues and being able to see the whites of their eyes, this was an amazing concert experience and next time they're here I'm actually going to make a concerted effort to obtain tickets of my own.

Songs with Great Lyrics Which You May Not Know

Been a while since posting. Sorry bout that.

I have compiled a short list of songs which I think have incredible lyrics. As my musical taste is fairly diverse and dips into the obscure fairly often, you may not have heard all of these.

Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

This song could be a movie.

*

Robyn Hitchcock - Linctus House

This song balances Hitchcock's ability to be silly and his ability to write heartbreakingly raw material. This song pulses through your veins.

*

Andy Prieboy - Who Do You Think We're Coming For?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8qlhEEgF3o
The one Prieboy song that people usually know is Tomorrow Wendy, even though most people know the Concrete Blonde cover. This taps a little more into his ability to create a theatrical arrangement around very thought provoking lyrics. This could be a production number, hell it could be an entire musical.

*

Lucinda Williams - Ventura

I could put up Lucinda Williams' entire catalogue, everything she writes is amazing. Her songs have this habit of putting words to feelings which are often too deep for words.
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Michael Nesmith - Harmony Constant

This is a beautiful song, I've just always liked it. I like to play it with a capo halfway up the neck of my guitar so that it sounds like a ukelele. A lot of people don't realize that after The Monkees ended, Mike Nesmith moved on to do several country rock albums which were all really solid. He sells them off of his website http://www.videoranch.com/ so if you buy them from him, you know he is getting your green.

*

The Smiths - There is a Light That Never Goes Out

The anthem of the 80's/90's gothy gloom-cookie. I've always found that Morrissey is a very gifted songwriter. He delivers concepts and sentiments in ways which most people wouldn't even think to. My understanding has always been that he's an unusual sort of guy, which is good for me because I enjoy his unusual sort of songs.

I'm sure after I hit "Publish Post" I will think of more.

A New Obsession, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying And Love Doctor Who

I have long avoided Doctor Who. I like to leave the house, I like to get around, I like to see the sun. Granted I sit and watch Star Trek a lot at my computer, but I have seen all of those and they aren't making any more. I have always been loathe to get into a television show which has been on longer than I have been alive, because I fear never leaving the house.

Last weekend, Boyfriend-Dan and I were on an out of town trip. The television in the hotel room had numerous channels: Reality TV (puke), Fox News (really puke), Telemundo (Funny, but No Habla), and PBS. PBS was showing this really cool Robin Hood show from the BBC, which we caught the second half of. The next show to come on was Doctor Who. Okay, c'mon, how good could it really be? Certainly not good enough to cause me to become absolutely enamored with it after just one viewing... could it?

This is the episode that was on: Click - The Beast Below

So we watched the whole thing. I watched it in silence and did not make any comments. An hour is a long time for me to shut up if I have ideas about things.

The show ended and the credits rolled. I said to Dan, "Oh noooo (Pause) Ohhh nooooo." 

Dan said something to the effect of "What?"

I said, "That was really really good."

Dan was like, "So you're going to have to start watching Doctor Who now, aren't you." 

After we got home, Dan had someplace to go and I was in the apartment all by myself. I found out that even though we don't subscribe to BBC America, I do get to stream the last year and a half's worth of Doctor Who episodes on Comcast's website (hooray! they are good for something!). Dan has been out of town, so I have had a fair amount of alone time without much in the way of personal commitments. I have, at present, watched all but two, including the new one that concludes next week. I wonder how long it will be before I can stream tomorrows new episode?

The thing that has really struck me is how different it is than I imagined it. Even having seen a few bits and pieces of a David Tennant episode at a friends house, my preconstructed notion of what kind of a show it was bore no resemblance to what kind of show it is. I knew about the Tardis, but I didn't know what it was, and I knew that it had to do with time travel, and that Tom Baker had a floppy hat, a multicolored scarf, and liked to offer people Jelly Babies (from a filk song that Doctor Demento used to play) but I didn't really know much past that. First of all, the writing is really really good. I had really truly forgotten what it was like to watch a show and have absolutely no idea how it was going to end. Even when I knew how it was going to end (I was able to stream David Tennant's last episode, so I knew he would regenerate) I still didn't know how they were going to get from point A to point B. It's funny without being a comedy. It's sad without being melodramatic. It's educational without being preachy. It's action packed without being unrealistic (by that I mean, there are no hulking beasty men having impromptu Tae Kwon Do matches to settle their differences.) And it's heroes are flawed. 

I guess the show really is bigger in the inside than it is on the outside.

I've ordered all five Series on DVD (going back to the 9th Doctor, I'll fill out the classics later.) The eBay seller was in Minnesota, so I should have them tomorrow!

My Obscure Film Collection #1

I like to collect strange films on DVD. I mostly stick with DVD because VHS will eventually disintegrate, but I believe it takes a mighty blowtorch to off a DVD.

One of my favorite finds is Human Highway, a low budget film written, directed, produced by, and starring Neil Young and featuring the members of Devo.

The members of Devo play nuclear workers from Linear Valley. They wear red glowing suits, and Mark Mothersbaugh performs his role in the Boogi Boy costume. 

Devo later figures prominently in a dream sequence jamming with Neil Young on My My Hey Hey.

Neil Young plays a geeky gas station attendant who wants to get a girl. The character's buddy who is also kind of a dork is played by Russ Tamblyn, the love interest is played by Charlotte Stewart, the short order cook is played by Dennis Hopper, and the new owner of the gas station/diner is played by Dean Stockwell. David Lynch fans have probably noticed that the entire preceding list has been involved with at least one of Lynch's projects (Tamblyn and Stewart with Twin Peaks, Hopper and Stockwell with Blue Velvet). I am not sure what the story is, but I suppose I could imagine David Lynch hanging out with Neil Young.

The tag line "It's so bad it's going to be huge" wound up not being prophetic. It is bad, but it's also fun to watch. The dream sequence in which Neil dreams of being a rock star as well as the Devo directed intro in which they sing the song "It Takes A Worried Man" make the film worth watching, and it running at 88 minutes, it will be over before you know it.

If you're wondering where I found this, I found it on eBay. It is pirated from a VHS. Like with the Time Fades Away album, Neil has chosen not to release this in a digital format. I suspect we will see Time Fades Away on CD before we see Human Highway on DVD. Call it intuition.

The trailer can be viewed here:

Who Said It Had To Be A Good Cause?

I am fundraising for the Minnesota AIDS Walk this year - if you are interested in supporting me, you can view my AIDS Walk Webpage: https://community.mnaidsproject.org/cmarkey1

Charity walks are important because they get people pumped up to raise money for some really good causes, they are fun social situations where people get out of the house, get some exercise, and generally have a good time while supporting a cause they care about.

I was recently discussing this with a friend, and we had the notion that events like the AIDS Walk, the Relay For Life, and countless other events are really quite fun, but why does it always have to be for a good cause? Would you support me if I was raising money for participation in the Walk For Bacon? Imagine, a 10 mile walk around the entire Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis, followed by delicous bacon. Or how about the Walk For Chocolate? A donation in any amount could go towards funding my walk around the Mall of America, which will culminate at the Godiva store! The Walk For Coffee would require additional Biffys, but could probably be completed in half the time of any other walk!

We got to thinking, though, there really is no such thing as a bad cause. For example. the Walk For Bacon could go to benefit family pork farms in the State of Minnesota. The Walk for Chocolate could go towards helping endangered cacao farms, and the Walk for Coffee could go to benefit Fair Trade Coffee growers around the world.

I certainly do not mean to trivialize the good work that is done by the various charities and non-profit organizations which host walk-a-thon's and such. For that reason, I will participate in the AIDS Walk and eat my bacon on my own time.

Coffee Flavored Blog Entry

When I was 12/13, my sister and I had paper routes. Occasionally for that Saturday morning delivery run, we would get the option of coffee. Neither of my parents take it with any sugar, so I thought it was horrible.

I honestly don't remember when I learned to enjoy coffee. I have taken it various ways throughout my life. When I was in my early 20's, I would take it black. I moved on to taking it with cream and sugar and just sugar. Now I try to take it with splenda at home, and if I am at a coffeehouse, I will opt for an Americano with Sugar Free Vanilla flavoring. At least once per holiday season, I try to get an Egg Nog Latte, but I am very careful ordering those. Made incorrectly, the Egg Nog Latte is just a bad glass of runny sweet scrambled eggs.

The ways of enjoying coffee seem to be endless. I used to know a guy who said he liked his coffee like he liked his women, "blonde and sweet." The now defunct Vera's coffee shop in Minneapolis used to sell shirts that said "strong, hot, and full of cream." Agent Cooper from Twin Peaks liked his coffee "black as midnight on a moonless night."

Bob's Java Hut in Minneapolis sells a drink called an Octane Boost, which I believe to be coffee with copious amounts of espresso. By the way, it's eSpresso, not eXpresso. Most chain coffeeshops (Starbucks, Caribou, etc.) will make you a Depth Charge which is coffee with a shot of espresso. When consuming drinks of this nature, you can literally feel the moment that the caffeine hits your veins. You may also be prompted to hold aloft your magic sword and say  "By the power of coffee...I HAVE THE POWER!" Don't try to turn your cat into a tiger. He won't like it.

I am going to leave this with a quote from film director David Lynch, "even a bad cup of coffee is better than no coffee at all."

My Waiter Is Not My Massage Therapist

I like getting massages, possibly more than some people. Most massage therapists go out of their way to make their clients comfortable, even when in the buff, by allowing them to be covered with many luxurious blankets. It's normal to expect to be touched by a massage therapist. The same goes for manicurists. I fully expect physical contact during a manicure and a pedicure. (Even during a Yoga class, you might find the instructor asking permission to touch you so that they can move you into a correct posture.)

I am not a person who particularly cares to be touched by strangers for no good reason; in the above instances, there is a good reason and it is generally a favorable experience.

When I am at a restaurant, I do not expect the waitress to be patting me or rubbing me on the back when they are apologizing about something (something which I wasn't even aware was wrong.) Today at a new restaurant by my work, I ordered a salad. The waitress came out to tell me that they had messed up my salad by putting the dressing on the lettuce instead of on the side. I hadn't requested it on the side, but they were pretty hot and bothered about it, and they hadn't brought me the "defective salad" so I waited for the "non-defective" one. When the waitress brought out the salad, she patted me on the back (more of the circular rubbing motion) and the waitresses supervisor, when attempting to bring me additional dressing which I had not asked for, also patted me on the shoulder. (I refused the extra dressing.)

I am grateful that I was with several coworkers with whom I have worked for years now. If I had been alone, I probably would have blown up at the lady (those I was with probably would have given me crap for doing that). I don't care about the dressing, I wanted it on the salad anyways. I do care that the staff thought it was okay to keep patting me.

Honestly, the salad wasn't half bad, but I probably won't be going back there.

How To File A Complaint

If you're like me like I know I am, you have at some point in your line of work dealt with someone complaining about something and you have been the one to have to fix it.

Here are a few tips that I have come up with which detail how to most effectively file a written complaint to a firm with which you have done business and had a disagreement.

• Keep it short but sweet. Perhaps the issue you're complaining about led to various and sundry personal issues. The company does not need to know about these in order to fix your problem, in fact such details are distracting and make it difficult to ascertain what the actual complaint is about.  You may be passionate about how the stress from a situation made you break out in hives, and the representative of the company who addresses your complaint would be sympathetic, but such a disclosure will rarely make a difference in the outcome of your complaint (unless you are complaining to a lotion company.)
• Keep it clear. State the exact outcome you are looking for. Meandering around your request in hopes of getting the company to make an offer makes it difficult to ascertain what type of offer would be beneficial. For example, if complaining to a pizza restaurant that messed up your order, demanding that they "make it right" sounds great, but requesting that they "provide you with a coupon for a free pizza" is a lot more useful.
• Keep it calm and professional. USING ALL CAPS DOES NOT HELP YOUR CASE. Nor does using poor grammar and spelling. If in doubt, use a proofreader. If still in doubt, go back to school.
• Be prepared to compromise. You may not get what you're asking for. Remember that you are complaining to a private business. Most businesses will do what they can to keep their customers, but if a customer is asking for either an excessive monetary settlement or a product they do not carry, the answer will be most likely be no. For example. If you are unhappy that McDonalds no longer has the Beanie Babies in their Happy Meals, it is unlikely that they will be able to produce one for you. If the price of a product or service has recently changed, it is unlikely that you will be given the ability to pay the old price. Private businesses cannot be forced to carry specific products or give away products to customers. Likewise, you cannot be forced to do business with a company who has not served you well. If you don't like Spacely Sprockets, then start buying from Cogswell Cogs.
• If someone calls you back in response to your letter, be nice. Have you ever heard the phrase "you can kill more flies with honey than you can with vinegar"? It's true. So is "don't kill the messenger." That is a living breathing human being on the end of the line whose only goal is to help you. Yelling, swearing, name calling and threatening does not help your case. Extreme threats could get you in trouble with the law in some places, and in many cases that type of behavior is traumatizing to the person on the other end of the line.

As for me, I just don't complain. I vote with my wallet. If you piss me off, I'll go somewhere else. End of story.

My Triathlon Adventure

I don't look much like an athlete. I shop at plus sized clothing stores and I'm not showing any immediate signs of shrinking. I also am at the Y often enough to where there has been one time where my missing 3 classes in a row (due to a cold) had someone from the Y calling my cell phone to find out what was wrong. I spend a lot of time in the pool, I like to try new things, even if I never lose an ounce of fat doing this, I won't stop. I enjoy it too much It's good for my mental health, and according to my doctor, it makes me healthier than the "skinny couch potato."

Last fall, I decided to sign up for an indoor triathlon which was taking place in November. It seemed like something I could do - 600 yard swim, 10 mile stationary bike ride, 2 mile run. I had been running in the morning before work several times a week, anybody can operate a stationary bike, and I figured - how hard could swimming be? As an aside, I flunked swimming lessons when I was a kid, but I basically taught myself to swim well enough to save my life. When I decided that I was going to think about doing the triathlon in November, I went to the pool at the Y and decided to try to swim 12 laps. I made it to 10 and was worn out. The lifeguard told me that it was a good effort for not having done it before, and I decided to try again the next day. I made 12 laps that time. Still, I hadn't signed up for the tri. It was not when I signed up for that triathlon that I had committed to participate actually, it was when I took the bus to Dick's Sporting Goods and spent $90 on a swimsuit (a swimsuit which has long since been retired due to chlorine damage.)

I showed up at the Triathlon on November 14. A couple friend came to cheer for me, Boyfriend Dan had to work (he has actually missed them all, but I think he would just make me nervous anyways). I came in last. I was pretty jazzed to have finished though.

February 13 was the Winter Indoor Triathlon. I was, as I told several people, "grievously unprepared." I had not done any running to speak of because I don't like treadmills and it was too cold/icy for a novice runner like me to run outside. As for not getting to the indoor track at the Midtown Y? Yeah I was a slacker on that. I showed up though, and even got a friend to participate with me. I came in last again, and my time was about a minute slower than my first outing. Everyone told me that finishing is important, and I do understand that, but it kind of sucked to come in last.

April 3, 2011. I was more prepared for this Triathlon. I had taken to 26 lap drills in the pool at the Y before Water Aerobics, I did more exercise in the upstairs gym, and I just was more conscious of it. I had a strategy for the run. I'm a slow runner, and in the prior Tri, I had run slow the whole time. I decided to speed up for short bursts when I was able. This worked out fine, I didn't tire out any more than I would have without doing it, and I am pretty sure it is what contributed to my having beaten both of my prior times.

Finishing a third Triathlon meant that I got a free sweatshirt, and that I got to bask in the glory of finishing. That really is an important thing, but I had the greatest feeling when I opened my email today and read the results of the race.

I did not come in last.

Greetings

I recently set up a Blogger dashboard to follow other people's blogs. The very top of the page said something to the general effect of "Start your blog now!" I used to have a blog on Livejournal - I still have the login, but I only post once in a blue moon. I believe that this is due to the fact that the party moved to Facebook.

Mostly due to personal boredom, I have decided to start one up here. I'm going to try to talk more about ideas I have about things than the usual Facebook-y "I'm awake!" "I need coffee!" "I just checked in at Bob's Java Hut!"

It is entirely possible, of course, that this will end up being abandoned; then again, maybe not.