The President's Power

This is one scathing, powerful editorial countering the despicable investigation by the Department of Justice's OPR into John Yoo.

Rank bias and sheer incompetence infused OPR's investigation. OPR attorneys, for example, omitted a number of precedents that squarely supported the approach in the memoranda and undermined OPR's preferred outcome. They declared that no Americans have a right of self-defense against a criminal prosecution, not even when they or their government agents attempt to stop terrorist attacks on the United States. OPR claimed that Congress enjoyed full authority over wartime strategy and tactics, despite decades of Justice Department opinions and practice defending the president's commander-in-chief power. They accused us of violating ethical standards without ever defining them. They concocted bizarre conspiracy theories about which they never asked us, and for which they had no evidence, even though we both patiently—and with no legal obligation to do so—sat through days of questioning.

OPR's investigation was so biased, so flawed, and so beneath the Justice Department's own standards that last week the department's ranking civil servant and senior ethicist, David Margolis, completely rejected its recommendations.

Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago, Andrea emailed me at work and asked if I had plans. I said no. Donna had just moved, started dating husband to be, and I was lonely. I had gone up to NYC the previous weekend and was surrounded by happy hours. I was lonely.

So I said yes, went to Dave & Buster's, and the rest as they say is history. It took a while, which is why it is called history. Fate or happenstance or chance who knows. Maybe I would have met someone else and had two kids by now. Or maybe I would still be single and bitter. Who knows.

A lot can change in ten years, the week before your 24th birthday or the week before your 34th birthday. And a lot can stay the same, too.

Hungry Girl II

I have been starving all week. I think the fact that I actually have snack food after a quality grocery store visit does not help this matter. Nor does the fact that I keep exercising even though I feel just a tad burnt out. Sigh. I guess my body needs the extra calories but I need to stop snacking on nuts, peanut butter puffins, larabars, and granola bars. And have a big serving of veggies tomorrow.

I also need to cook. Being gone Saturday does not help, but at least I'll be able to salvage the rest of the weekend. And then it will be March!

The Olympics

The Olympics are almost 3/4 of the way through, and I definitely got a bit more sucked into watching this year than I thought I would. Last night was the ice dancing competition, with gold & silver taken by two couples who train in Canton, Michigan.

They both appeared so genuinely happy for each other. Quite the contrast from last week's men's competition when the Russian looked mighty peeved that Evan Lysacek "stole" the gold from him. And of course, it is so nice the Americans were natives of Michigan, too!

This past week also marked the thirtieth anniversary of the 1980 USA Gold winning game. And you forget, they beat the Soviets in the second-from-last game. They had to beat the Finns to take the gold. The advice was to win that gold, because not winning it would define them and they'd never live it down. Will the Americans take the gold again this year? It's a different kind of team, since it's not a bunch of nobodies, but NHL stars...but wouldn't it still be nice?

Hungry Girl

So sixteen miles of running=very hungry girl today. I have been a bottomless pit. Eating fluffy food, too! Peanut butter puffins. Pirate's booty. Larabar. Banana. Pizza. Salad. Oh man am I hungry. And thirsty. I should have had a latte. Not just tea and coffee. And tired.

It's a Monday thing. Or I did too much running this weekend thing. That is the most annoying thing about all of those so-called healthy living bloggers. Most of the biggest runners must lie about their appetites, b/c I never see them ravenous hungry a day after running 26 miles or whatever. I can't stop eating! I am all about pasta tonight.

Lots of puffy pasta.

Two-A-Day

After my massive ten miler yesterday, I wasn't quite sure how sore I'd be today. I slept, yeah, and I had an itch to run. We stayed at the Hyatt last night for S's job, so I jumped on the treadmill and ran a 5K.

It was fine--I paced 6.5mph+, but I wasn't feeling it. So tonight I went for a two-a-day after the meet up with the designer. I did an "easy" 3 miler around the usual route, and in two days, I ran about 16 miles. Yeah.

The question is: Do I brave the Results parking lot tomorrow night? I miss my evening runs! If the weather is lousy as predicted, I use tomorrow as a rest day. Which is probably needed.

BTW tomorrow, UGH.

Ten Mile Run

Well, despite about two or three hours of sleep, I managed to hit the mall for about a ten mile run this morning. I was slowed down at times by the ice/snow, but I managed. Down Maryland, past the Capitol to the Washington Monument, to the Lincoln Monument, around to the Jefferson and FDR Monuments, and past Washington again, to the Capitol, down Constitution Avenue and home. Whew. Sore sore sore. I am a bit hungry now but I hope to indulge later!

The half is four weeks from today, and I hope I can be ready for it. I am intimidated by the distance, but today felt very reassuring, especially since I wasn't so rested. I think I will do one longer run in two weeks, hopefully hydrate better than H20, and bring some energy along with me. I easily burned 1200 calories, yikes!

TGIF

What I am looking forward to this weekend:

Target!
Grocery shopping!
Mall!
Reading!
Wine!
Running!!!!

A little snow really makes you realize what you're missing, huh?

Lunchtime Workout

So for the first time ever, I headed over to the nearby Results to get my run on at lunch time. Usually, the prospect of getting a good run in and showering and re-applying is a bit daunting, but in light of the mounds and mounds of snow, the lack of daylight, and the inability to drive to the gym, I needed to get a run on!

I did about 5.1 miles in 48 minutes in. Did the 5 miles in 46-ish minutes and then cooled down. It was great, though it definitely took a little while to get properly warmed up. Like twenty minutes, then I was rarin' to go. Five miles is good. I NEED to get a good long run in on Saturday morning. Preferably outdoors. Hopefully these 40 degrees days stick around, and any threat of snow disappears permanently for 2010.

I think I should commit to at least one lunch time workout a week. It does free up my evening time. And if I can make it a few more weeks, it'll be daylight savings time. And I can get an occasional morning run in.

Ash Wednesday

I admit it; I skipped church today. I am just not a big fan of the Ash Wednesday service. I guess it creeps me out a bit. I like to avoid it, and I used going to the DMV as an excuse.

Though I find Lent a powerful time, and so much different than Advent, which is anticipation and celebration. Lent is waiting, and it's about prayer and sacrifice and repentance and forgiveness.

I don't do such a good job with the giving things up thing. A year ago, I tried to commit myself to prayer, and now I almost always say the four prayer of childhood when I am laying in bed. For a few moments every day, I would want to commit and pray for someone not myself.

That being said, I'd like to try and commit to praying every morning, if I can. While I walk to work, or shower, or in those moments before leaving the bed. I am not sure if I can keep to that commitment, I would like to try.

To Do List

DMV.
Stevie's bday gift.
Miami?
Get a long run in this weekend.
Target!
Wine!
Harris Teeter!
Book review of Battle Cry of Freedom.
Shop for new outfit(s).
Ticket for Napa.

So much to do...so sick of the snow.

Back to Reality...

Back to work tomorrow. No more lazying around on the couch or long-stretched out workouts in the a.m. Yeah, I could be a good housewife. I can cook dinner, get lunch, do dishes, wipe down the counters, do laundry, and iron. I could do it all.

Yesterday I finished Battle Cry of Freedom. I am temporarily obsessed with the politics of the Civil War. I don't care so much about the battles. And dad is sending me a one volume Carl Sandburg bio of Lincoln. I watched some of the History Channel's presidential documentaries today. Happy President's day.

Valentine's Day Run

The winter workouts, when I can't get to the gym on my usual obsessive basis, are turning into tests of endurance. Between my five mile run yesterday, and the walk to HT, I ended up going about 9 miles. Today, with a very fast 4 miles on the treadmill, and my walk to church, I ended up going close to 7.5. Whoo. I felt SO good on the treadmill, and I easily could have gone further, but I did not want to overdo it. Plus, I am already sore/inflexible in that sense, and I want to sneak in a run tomorrow. Actually, I want to attempt the dreaded outdoor run in the snow/ice. I am tired of trekking to the gym, and if I find cement, I can do well. It's in the 30s, so if I can make it out before the snow/ice/sleet mix we're expecting, I want to do that.

I bought lamb loin shanks for dinner, and we'll open up some good wine. I chatted with Liz earlier, and I saw a baby baptized at church today. Not a bad Valentine's Day!

Fun Night, Long Workout

We had a fun night last night with B&J, starting at Granville Moore's and then heading for some awesomeness at Little Miss Whiskey's. I think this is a new H street favorite, though we all drank too much. The bar had a great vibe, it was really relaxed, the drinks were terrific, and it was just nice to find a hang-out spot nearby. I also like the Stroh's Michigan vibe.

Tonight we're checking out another neighborhood place, Bistro Cacao. I'm glad we're getting out a bit, and even better with friends. This snow/blizzard/trapped feeling, the inability to drive anywhere, and the never ending winter is strong enough incentive to roam a bit about!!

Sixteen Years Ago...

Today marks the anniversary of Grandpa Joe's death, back in 1994. Gosh, how time goes by. I was a Senior in High School, and hurting. Depressed, sad, lonely, so ready to take that next step in my life--to college and away from Detroit and being a teenager. I was three weeks shy of turning 18. There are moments when that time feels like yesterday, sitting in a car at Shrine on my 18th birthday, and knowing I was an adult and everything was changing. And losing family members for the first time in my life. I remember dad gently telling me he was worried that Grandpa would pass away on my birthday, because he knew the hurt in that.

There are many wonderful memories I have of him--going up north, hitting up McDonald's, golf, scouting for morel mushrooms, listening to the Tigers, walking to KMart or Randazzo's, those mints he ate, his love for animals, his quiet unassuming nature but underneath was a strong, independent man who knew far more from life than what his years of formal education were able to teach him. I remember sharing birthdays with him, his polo shirts, getting a quarter from him. I love that my oldest nephew is his namesake. I was a very lucky granddaughter.

Last Day at Home?

Well, we have one last snow day today. It's nearly 40 degrees, the snow is melting, well a little, and I am ready to get out of Capitol Hill!! I took a walk to Harris Teeter this morning. I should have gone to the gym, darn it. But I was so soaking wet and tired after the grocery trek (hey, needed to stock up on wine and milk!) that I didn't want to venture back out again. And yeah, the car is still buried but there are worse things, unless it doesn't start. No, don't let me jinx myself :-)

Anyway, this has been the craziest week. I can't believe we've been out of the office all week. And there is three feet of snow on the ground, and it's only February 11. I'm going to curl up with my tea, blankie, and book, watching some GH while listening to some Starsailor, and hope that no more snow (like what they think could happen on Monday!) actually happens!

One more foot

Yup, another foot of snow on the ground. The puns aren't funny--s'now more! Snoverkill! Snowmaggedon! Snopacalypse! The cold, the blowing snow, the drifts, the powdery stuff that is igloo-izing outside our house. Yeah, things are finally starting to slow down. But enough is enough is enough.

And no--responding to something on the news right now--this is not something us Detroiters are used to! The chica is right...this is not something us Detroiters are used to. This is crazy unprecedented and yeah, it is a bit funny. Like LOLOLOL we are never going to get over this! It'll be melting into next month! This snowfall will still be on the ground when I turn 34. Unlike the December blizzard, which mysteriously melted away during Christmas, this is not going anywhere anytime soon.

UGH. Ugh, ugh, ugh.

The weather outside is frightful...

And I'm getting spiteful.
I have no place to go.
No more snow, no more snow, no more snow.

UGH. And it is starting again.

Though here's one piece vindicating Dick Cheney.

As long as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were responsible for keeping Americans safe, Democrats could pander to the U.S. and European left's anti-antiterror views at little political cost. But now that they are responsible, American voters are able to see what the left really has in mind, and they are saying loud and clear that they prefer the Cheney method.

Yup.

Hike to the Gym

Snowmageddon continues, with MORE SNOW COMING!!! Argh.

I hiked the 3 mile roundtrip to the gym to get a 5 mile treadmill run in. It was pretty packed. Man, I miss Mint and the two block walk. It wasn't terrible getting there, but it took twice as long as it would take me to run there. And did I mention there is MORE SNOW COMING!!! Argh.

No idea if the office will reopen in time for tomorrow's blizzard. Yes, I can get there. No idea how long I'll stay there. I'd go with my gym bag in tow no doubt.

I am officially snow'd out. And where is the mail? I keep hoping for new reading material to break up Battle Cry of Freedom. Loving the tome on the Civil War, but I need something lighter, too, since there's no paper. At least I am keeping the wine and TV off til six. Only 32 minutes to go...

Cabin Fever

With the snow over, at least til Tuesday, I really was feeling the itch to get out earlier. I walked to Harris Teeter and picked up some groceries, including some basil for pesto and Superbowl food. It was crazy to stand in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue and stare down at the Capitol with no cars in sight! Our cars are too buried to emerge. No driving for a while!!!

I have cabin fever, certainly. That being said, it is nice to chill for a bit. But no matter what, I am heading for the gym tomorrow. I miss running!

Pick tonight? No clue, but Indy-Nola will be a good game. Good teams, good QBs.

Snowmaggedon (or Snowmageddon?) II

Well, 24+ hours later, we have nearly two feet on the ground. UGH!!! I thought DC was the south? This winter is one of the worst ever in DC's history. I guess this is supposed to make up for the mild summer we had? Or El Nino? Regardless, we are officially snowed in, you can't see any part of our cars, and the streets are unplowed. All Superbowl party plans are off.

But I get to drink wine, read, watch TV, shovel a bit for exercise, and chill, right? I have a feeling I'm not getting to the main gym anytime soon. I think I will have to deal with noon time workouts if I want to get my half training in. Oh, man, I cannot adequately describe how PO'd I am at this winter. I HATE SNOW!!!!

Snowmageddon

Or snowpacalypse. UGH. Not much has fallen at 5pm-ish...maybe a couple of inches have stuck. They are saying up to 30 inches!!! The HYPE and PANIC and DRAMA are all-consuming here. I left at lunch time in wet rain/snow. Not bad at all then. By this time tomorrow, who knows?

Have I complained yet about not being able to exercise or hit Target or grocery shop?? GRRRR.

Updates later!

RIP: Frances Reid

Frances Reid of Days reportedly passed away. She was 95.

As a long-time Days fan, though not a current one, I'd be tempted to tune in again if they address her death. She was certainly one of the grand dames of daytime, and she seemed a classy woman. I fondly remember her scenes from the Alamainia era, and anything with J&J. She was always a fan.

I look forward to reading recollections of her time on Days, and her long career. Rest in peace.

I hate snow

This has been the snowiest winter ever. The snowpacalypse event in December, snow last weekend, snow last night, a big snowfall this coming weekend. It's February. It's supposed to be 45 degrees and dry. No snow. Boo.

I hate having to plot out grocery trips. I hate having to miss the gym. I hate not being able to walk anywhere without boots on. I hate winter. I hate it getting dark at 5:30 pm. I hate the cold, the dreariness, the people who are snow fans, everything associated with winter. Hate it hate it hate it.

Please snow gods, please track away this coming blizzard from DC. Far, far away. Thank you.

Love, L

Lost!

Lost returns tonight for its final season. Definitely one of the most anticipated events of 2010. I'm really going to miss this show, its intelligent writing, its use of history and philosophy and science fiction and its fantastic actors.

Here's another fantastic Doc Jensen column. It would be interesting to go back through these at the end, to see how right he was, huh?

The anticipation is building!

Pontiac Silverdome: Useless

The Washington Post, in its steady coverage of the decline and fall of the Detroit empire, today picked on the Pontiac Silverdome and its $550,000 price tag. Yes, that is not much more than we bought our house for. Residents are unhappy at this sale, which has made the city a national joke. Who can't sell a former Superbowl venue, a former venue for a mass said by Pope John Paul II, for a fraction of its supposed value. It sold for the same price a condo in Columbia Heights would sell for.

Here's an astonishing statement:

With the city's projected tax revenue expected to decline as much as 25 percent over the next two years and a 35 percent unemployment rate, cuts must be made, Leeb said.

35% unemployment rate? Wow. How sad is this? But is it better to basically give away major properties as opposed to spending money the city does not have for maintenance? Don't know. But it's a problem that Michigan cities are facing, and not just Detroit.

California Weekend

We had our annual conference this weekend at the Reagan Library. Gosh how perfect and beautiful and sunny and 65 degrees was it there! (in contrast to the snowy weekend DC endured!!). I spent some time hanging out on Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade and saw the insipid movie "When in Rome." When a movie isn't screened in advance, there's a reason, absolutely. We had dinner at Patina on Friday night. I had a vegetable mosaic appetizer followed by the Australian Barramundi. Also some sort of pear/fruity beignet dessert that escapes me. Great dinner with good friends.

I saw movies on the plane...Fame, which was the perfect entertaining plane film that I may not have ever seen, and Motherhood, which I had never heard of. It was sort of the woe-is-me liberal conception of motherhood, where you lose yourself and then find yourself. Pretentious blogging, an under-appreciated husband. But I gladly killed 90 minutes watching it.

But back to work today.