Channeling Patrick Swayze...

So I tried on my wetsuit today.

I think even my dog laughed at the hilarity that ensued.

Trying to get a wetsuit on is much like trying to pull up a pair of wet jeans.

It ain't happening without some trickery.

Wetsuits are delicate. They don't look it, but they are.

So you can't force it or it will rip, so I've been told. Glad I was told, because getting this sucker on was stressful.

So, much like how we used to pull up hose in the olden days, I started slow and inched up the legs so the crotch ended up where the crotch should be.

After that, it was a cinch.

The back zipper has an EZ Out zipper that has a cord you use to pull it up all the way, easy peasy.

As I was doing this, my mind went to the movie "Point Break" which features Patrick Swayze and Kanunu (Keanu) Reeves as surfers. Surfers who wear wetsuits.

So.

You could say I pulled a Swayze today.

And that made me feel good, and lighthearted, as he always came across that way in interviews.

This makes me want to watch this cheesy movie.

Speaking of cheesy...

And finally, NO ONE sleeps like this, unless they want a dislocated shoulder:

Rules

Ollie is a creature of habit.

To the point of annoyance.

I typically turn in around 10. Sundays nights, a bit later.

I got caught up in multiple chats on FB and work IM and around 11, Ollie started to get fidgety and snorty.

I asked him if he wanted to go seepy seep.

This question lead to a full-on meltdown. He ran around the house as if his bum were on fire, and then jumped on my lap
And got all up in my grill.

Turns out, sneak had not eaten the Busy Bone I gave him earlier and had instead stashed it in his bed.

Oh, I rectified that right quick. He doesn't get treats when I'm not around, as I fear he'll choke. Watchful mama am I.

So I distracted him with a toy and snatched up that treat. He then went berserker trying to dig it out of his bed.

He's pouting now.

Not a good night to be a spoiled dog in my house.

Don't Wait

-to take that long walk on the riverfront to see the receding water; nature is amazing, take advantage of the ever-changing moments to appreciate how wild they really are and how lucky you are to witness them.

-to get those miles in that are on your training plan; push yourself and reap the eventual rewards.

-for your idea of the "right" person to come along and tell you they love you; love yourself, and make yourself available to the many soulmates that are out there, looking for you, too.

-to tell your dog how they came to be in your life, and you in theirs, again and again. While dogs can't talk back, they love to listen.

-to spend a good two hours getting through more than a few chapters in that nightstand book that beckons. Enjoy the adventure of getting to the end.

-to take advantage of a rainy, cool morning to sleep in; it's a rare delight, and when the circumstances are right, seize the opportunity.

-give some thought to your long-term plans; if they need to be modified for safety, comfort, achievability, make the adjustment and embrace the new plan.

-to hold the hand of someone you like very much; touch is an amazing way to communicate what words might not adequately convey.

-to feel good enough to smile. Smiles have a transformative power. Often, a smile can change your mood, and the mood of others. Win, win.

-to remind yourself of your worth; no one can dictate what you deserve, what you need or how special you are, that's up to you.

-to give a full-on hug to someone you know. Both arms wrapped around the other person, good sqeezing going on, maybe some hand patting. Get in there and make it happen. I have a good friend who is an awesome hugger, and when I ask for one I get one, and it immediately brightens my mood.

For a good example, see below:

I'm reminded of these things on a daily/weekly basis. Helps to write them down.

Plus, I just saw the documentary The Human Experience and it got me thinking...

This.

In a past relationship I was cheated on.

Did I want to know about the other woman?

Hell no. She didn't factor into the situation at all. I didn't know her, she didn't cheat on me, and I didn't want or need an explanation from her. If it hadn't have been her, it would've been someone else.

I wanted to know what HE was thinking, why he did it.

I wanted to know why our relationship wasn't enough, why I wasn't enough, what it was he wanted so badly that I couldn't give him.

There are many reasons why people cheat, but it comes down to one thing, really.

A person cheats because they aren't happy with their current situation, i.e., their partner.

And this article explains that so well.

My ex bf eventually left that woman and ended up marrying someone in his firm and they now have a baby. He is happy, and that's a good thing.

So am I.

Shaken

Watching the footage of runners about to cross the finish line of what may be their first, second or tenth marathon, I'm filled with pride. What an accomplishment! I am not sure I will ever do one in my lifetime, but as I train for a half, I know the preparation - physical, mental, emotional - that goes into readying yourself for such a feat.

Watching the footage of runners and spectators run for their lives, sprinting in terror away from the clouds of smoke that billow from the blast sight, children and families in tow, makes me sick to my stomach and sad and angry.

I'm so sickened by what happened today. I am sad for the people in Boston and my friends who live there. And I don't this this is over, and I worry for what is coming.

Whomever is the behind these attacks is sending a message. I think they're saying they can get us anywhere, anytime, and whenever they like.

They're right.

What happened today can be repeated in most large public events.

So how do we go on from here?

On a grand scale, we can arm ourselves with knowledge. We can elect officials whom we feel will work to keep us safe. We can keep out of harms way and cut
back on events and travel.

On a smaller and more personal scale, we can reach out to those who we love, and tell them so. We can put our phones down and connect with people in our lives in a meaningful way. We can take a breath, live in the moment and be good to ourselves. Take stock. Live in the now.

I hope they find out who is responsible for this attack. And I hope that when they do, SWIFT and JUST punishment is taken.

Bust

A move.

That is what's happening tomorrow.

I haven't worked out in over seven days due to the stomach virus I have finally, thankfully kicked.

I am raring to go.

Tomorrow morning is mine.

And with that, I say sleep tight.

Movie Review: It's drippy

Either my age is catching up with me or my stomach is getting weak.

I have a movie review, and then a bit of commentary on a new televisions show. Let's get to the good stuff.
The movie? The remake of Evil Dead. Saw it opening night.

As far as remakes go, this was well done. A little low on the humor side when compared to the original, but who says it has to measure up in that department? Not sure anyone can do the original justice, which is why I am glad the director chose to take the remake in the direction he did.

It surpasses the original in horror, gore and all-around evil.

There were boo moments. There were funny moments. And there were many creepy, atmospheric, spooky moments that will thrill any true horror movie fan.

What got to me was the gore. Seriously, on numerous occasions my hands flew to my face, my eyes squeezed shut, and I waited to look until I thought it was safe. Most of the time it was still happening. We heard others in the theater say things like "I can't believe they showed that!" and varying degrees of ooh's and eww's.

I couldn't take it. Not sure if it was the build up, the situation and then the acts themselves, but there were many scenes that made me think about leaving.

This POV is coming from a bonafide horror movie fan. I've seen them all - the classics, the splatterfests, the B-movies, the Dario Argentos and Tobe Hoopers and Takashi Miikes and Sam Raimis. When I was in grade school I used to beg, BEG my mom to buy the Fangoria magazine for me because I loved to read about horror and look at the cool special effects makeup. Looking back, I'm thankful she didn't waste her money, the VHS movies sated my need for spookiness.

Having become a horror movie fan at such an early age, I feel that I've seen so much, I should be conditioned to whatever gore is thrown up on the big screen. Not so, I guess.

There is only one other movie that I couldn't get through, which was Nishimura's Tokyo Gore Police. Unwatchable. From the first minute. Too bad, I heard it's good.

Evil Dead was 85% watchable, 15% not so much. It was good, check it out if you like horror movies. But be warned - it's drippy.

On the television side of things, there is a mid-season replacement drama on NBC (YES! NBC!) called Hannibal, which is based on the title character from the movie of the same name and a character from The Silence Of The Lambs.

I've watched American Horror Story and NCIS, so I'm no stranger to murder plots and dead bodies. I don't watch for that stuff, I like the mystery and detective work. But this show is just too creepy for me. It's not gory, really, but the gore is implied, and I know it's coming, so I'm opting out early in favor of happy, nightmare-free sleep.

I love the actors - Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy. And I read that the plot is very good. But seriously, this is too creepy even for me.

I love a good scare. And a good plot. But I guess I'm just over the gore.

Sometimes...

...all the precautions in the world cannot prevent the bug from gettin' ya.

I caught something my first day in Dallas. It picked up speed the morning of the meeting, and hasn't released it's grip until this afternoon. I worked yesterday from home, but due to lack of sleep and the frequency of the ick, I had to take a sick day today.

However, at this moment I feel somewhat human.

It's taking everything I have to eat, tho. The thought of food makes me queasy on top of my current queasiness.

I haven't been this tummy sick since I was a wee one.

Can't wait to get back to work, and working out.

Countin down the hours to normalcy. I feel like one of the many backyard snails I snapped pics of after the downpour this afternoon.

Oh, and then there's this

The worst sleep I've had in awhile.

Not sure if it was the filet, or overcooked greens, or what, but my stomach is rebelling big time.

So today should be lotso fun.

Uhh.

Hopefulness vs. Expectations

If you give without expecting anything in return, the chance of getting hurt go down significantly, sometimes to nothing.

This is hard to do, if you're like me and you believe in the goodness of others.

If you give while remaining hopeful that there will be reciprocation, you might get hurt but that's life.

If there's anything I've learned through those difficult life lessons, it's that the only person you can rely on is yourself.

That said, be good to yourself. Be your own best friend. Recognize that you've got what it takes to make yourself whole.

Love yourself.

Keep the hope, but lose the expectations.

Counting recent blessings

I'm sittin on my porch with the pup.

Actual downtime...what a blessing.

Actual spring weather...another blessing.

Finished work early and rode bike...

Can it get any better?

Apparently so!

Two of the kindest people on earth who I'm blessed to call friends just announced they're having their first baby.

Blessings all around.

It's been an amazing three hours :-)

So metal...

1. Catching up to and passing a runner who's been lapping you for months.

2. Making your own granola. While wearing you ex's favorite concert t-shirt. As Iggy Pop blares on your phonograph.

3. Getting to see reggae legends and your fave local reggae band, in the same evening. With good, chill friends.

4. Counting down the days and hours until the big meeting is over and you can have a good stretch and cry during Bikram yoga. The heat instantly dries the tears, so nobody's the wiser.

5. Making out. In your ex's favorite concert t-shirt. While listening to The Velvet Underground on the phonograph. And then snacking on your uber-tasty homemade granola.

6. Fantastically long showers. The ones where you sit down partway through and pretend you're in a rainforest. You know what I'm talking about.

7. Possessing the ability to pick up random small, light household objects with your toes.

8. Taking your dog on two walks after work. Because he deserves it. Every day.

9. Liking your job, even on the most hectic, mind-splitting days.

10. The mountains of Colorado. Yeah, you know the ones...the Rockies. Heaven.

Metal.

Overheard in my head....and outta my mouth

"Millenials are cleverly-disguised robots dressed in Ann Taylor and Brooks Brothers. And occasionally Old Navy. So scary."

"Stop. Hammertime." MANY times. I dork out often.

"Email sucks. It's like a person who pokes you continuously all day long. It huuurts."

"I want a cheese toasty. And a beer. And some canned pears. Blended."

"Take a breath. Breathe, now...do it."

"Most women I know have had the bad, embarrassing, disappointing sex that was shown on 'Girls'...but none of us want to relive that shit!"

"I need a vacation. Soon. Or I may go mental."

"I am willing to singlehandedly attempt to resurrect the genius that was shorts/Birks/wool socks. Heaven."

"4:00 a.m. is my new wake time. Word. Gonna turn in like a grama erry night, yo."