I miss my laptop

I'm dying without new music. SO many good CDs out like the new KT Tunstall and Tired Pony. I want Tired Pony!

That is all.

I really, really, really will not miss work for the rest of the week. Not at all.

Review: Never Let Me Go

Over the weekend, I just finished Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro.  Oh, what a sad, devastating, just utterly wretching story. 

Kath was the stone-cold narrator, reminiscing about her friends and her school Hailsham, as she neared the end of her tenure as a carer.  She cared for those clones whose organs were harvested because they were less than human, not so possessive of a soul.  Though these beings demonstrate their humanity in every aspect, exhibiting jealousy and anger and resentment and friendship and love.  The ethics of the issues involved are compelling and difficult, though no one can doubt the inevitable right to live these individuals possess.  It was sad and bittersweet and how brave and strong and ultimately weak and passive Ruth, Tommy, and Kathy were when it came to their ultimate fate.

This is one of those tales that just linger with you.  There was some trashy commercial from some soft drink with a blathering girlfriend, and the narrator of the ad suggested that you could just clone yourself so you wouldn't have to listen.  And I was sort of outraged by that--clone yourself, give that individual a task you don't want to do? How thoughtless. I was thinking about all of them, and I was glad that the tragic tale ended before Kathy's "completion."  That would have been too much to bear.

Navy Five Miler

Yesterday I ran the Navy Five Miler, alone. The weather was overcast and drizzly and I was afraid I really would be running in a downpour.

The race was crowded at the start, and having us retrace our steps in the beginning didn't help. But things broke apart after Mile 1 and the crowd spread out in Mile 2.  And it definitely opened up in Mile 3, the dreaded hill up Columbia Pike. If last year's race route was even hillier, than just ugh. But the downhill slope helped, and I did good until the end. And as almost always, I push so hard as the finish line is in sight,  I feel a bit sick. But a quick cool down later, and I think I was ok. Finished in 42:30 or 42:40? Times still do not seem to be posted. Ugh again. Not quite the St. Patrick's Day race, which was dryer and flatter, but I will take it, because 8:30 miles are always good for me. My goal for the Army Ten Miler Part II is solid 9 minute miles, no more, no less. I know there is a big hill at the end of it, so I need to conserve some strength for that. And with the travel schedule coming up, I know I don't have much time for long runs, though I hope I can squeeze something in on Wednesday morning.

I did like the set up for the race, especially with parking so close. And the long-sleeved navy t-shirts were fantastic. The food was eh, the apples were at least edible. I hate how the cookies and muffins are SO fattening, because they negate the run. Have a few more healthier options--granola bars or something!

SO...results were 42:38, for an average of 8:32/minute. I came in 99th out of 909 women, in the top 11%.  Overall, it was 455th out of 1942, for a rank in the top 24%. Not too bad!

An Embarrassment for Congress

The Dems think this is serious news.

OK, Nancy Pelosi. I know you think this is "appropriate" but if this is all you have, if this is what you think is serious and not a waste of taxpayer dollars, you'll have a lot of time to think about this when the Dems lose control of the House in November.  And nothing against Stephen Colbert, but no one is forcing you to watch Green Acres.

I can't believe I agree with John Conyers. What a joke.

Visitor

I was lucky enough to see Donna again briefly, last night. She was in town for a conference. It's been so nice seeing her this past month, and I'm sad to think it could be awhile before we get together again. Now I look forward to seeing mom & dad.

There are times that marriage can be lonely...well, that is not the best word to use at time.  I think not having a super close friend here in town can be lonely, though I'm fortunate to have people like Liz and Jenny here. I think it's more of a matter of not having anyone who has known me for more than a decade or so here, because sometimes having a longer history is a good thing.  Something to cherish.  And yeah, it is hard to make friends.

And not that I don't consider my husband my best friend, not at all. But it is what it is, because sometimes female friendships are something you just need in a different way.  And easing into those relationships with people you have not seen in a year or two, it is so easy. So darn easy.

Falling into Fall....

What I will remember about this summer:

The Heat.
St. Lucia.
Detroit in May.
Lots of work travel.
Getting our new furniture.

What I am looking forward to this Fall:

Cooler temperature.
Julie's wedding.
A quieter house.
Getting my laptop fixed, or unfortunately, replaced.
Staying home.
And a sixth item...the new TV season. Yes, I am an incurable romantic and I am SO happy about Huddy on House. Love House. Love Cuddy. Love their sexy scenes and witty banter. And "I lobe you" is so "I glove you," right??!!

Sigh. At least I can look forward to seeing Donna tonight!

Laptop Misery

So my computer is still in intensive care and I'm considering a transplant as a last ditch effort. UGH. Not good. I'm feeling naked without having constant access to the computer, and a blackberry is just not an ample substitute.

Sigh. Please something go right this week.

And I notice that my other post labeled technology is about how I LOVE my then-new computer. And now, a little more than 2.5 years later, not so much. HATE that computer. I miss my music!!!

Too Much to Do Weekends II

Between computer's blue screen of death, husband's stress, Cowboys imploding, and being over-extended, not to mention work frustrations, I've had a better time of it than recently. Sure, the weekend was jam-packed: drinks at E&C with Chris & Stacy, dinner with Liz & Eric at Bistro Cacao, or volunteering at the H Street Festival, with upwards of 20,000 attendees.

I am SO burned out. SO burned out. I just want to take a mental health day and not do anything. Though my mental health break would consist of running around like a crazy woman. Picking up shoes, waiting for furniture, squeezing in a run, going shopping, etc.

I need to breathe. I need to relax. I need to put aside the daily stresses of everyday life and know that I need to take time for me. Selfishly for me. But I'm not so good at that.

The Three I's of Detroit

Ignorance, illegitimacy and isolation.

When I saw that guy with the anti-gentrification sign yesterday at the otherwise glorious H Street Festival, I see that here. And that is what drives people to vote for Vince Gray on the belief he will drive away progress, kowtow to the unions, and impose diversity on a city that is already diverse in beliefs, colors, backgrounds, ideologies.

Sad.

Because She's a Woman?

So I'm not sure I entirely buy Jeri Thompson's argument about Christine O'Donnell. I honestly don't think her sex has anything to do with it. You don't hear Meg Whitman or Carly Fiorina called unqualified on the basis of sex. I'm not even sure I'd even call O'Donnell unqualified, though I really don't get how she got where she did, without looks and charisma being a factor. I think she does appeal to ordinary, every day citizens who are tired of the elite politicos in Washington not giving a damn about their perspectives. Joe Biden was sort of an every man, wasn't he, who commuted on the train and was one of the least wealthy members of the Senate. Frankly, it can't be too big of a surprise that a non-wealthy, every day type of person won the GOP nomination over a long-term Washington insider.

So I don't think it is sexism that is driving these charges of her being unqualified. I think it's more the fact that she has ethical issues, she hasn't really had a real job and the one she had at ISI resulted in a law suit, she has made all sorts of other charges like insinuating that Castle's staff broke into her campaign office/home. She seems a little unbalanced.

True, there aren't a lot of smart conservative women in politics, but it's changing. Susana Martinez will be elected governor of New Mexico. California could elect both Whitman and Fiorina. There are women running for senate in Nevada, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. It's not about sexism. It's about finding the best candidate, the most conservative candidate, and the one with the highest character and ethics. I don't think Christine O'Donnell fits that bill.