If you think I’m slacking on this blog, you’re right.
I’m focusing my efforts elsewhere: www.behold-the-turtle.blogspot.com. So please come check me out there.
And, yes. I realize this isn’t in the typical 10 random thoughts format. I just didn’t have it in me today. Sorry.
1. So, since I started taking this running thing seriously (and my seriously may not match to others’ definitions of seriously, but I mean running consistently and running races … all 5k races to this point, but races nonetheless), I always get nervous at the prospect of running with other people.
2. I assume I’ll be the slowest, worst runner and be a pain to whoever has the misfortune of running with me.
3. Thankfully, this never seems to be the case, but this is my assumption every single time.
4. So, when a girl invited me to a running group, I was, as usual, nervous.
5. I avoided it … err, um, had things to do for many weeks.
6. This week, I finally made it.
7. My visions of an elite running group of 15 people who run 4-minute miles, with slow Jina stumbling behind them, did not materialize.
8. The group: 100+ people of all different running (and even walking) levels.
9. And, guess what? I wasn’t the slowest. And, even if I was, with so many people (who started running at different times between 6-6:30 p.m.), no one would know.
10. But, most importantly, I had fun (and did something healthy in the process).
1. Two of my favorite things are dogs and baseball. Combine the two, and it’s an ideal situation.
2. Thankfully, on Saturday, I got to do just that.
3. The Clearwater Threshers (single A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies — boo!) had Bark at the Park. You could bring your dog to the game. Tickets for dogs were $5, with the money going to the Humane Society of Pinellas.
4. Chloe wanted to go, so she bought a ticket and hit the game.
5. Walking through the concourses was a bit hectic with food stands and dogs, and dogs crisscrossing across the concourse to get to either food stands or other dogs.
6. Luckily there is plenty of grass at the stadium, and that was a favorite gathering spot for the dogs.
7. After walking around the stadium and meeting lots of friends, we found a spot to enjoy the game.
Chloe resting after a walk around the stadium
8. Chloe sat on the ground by the aisle for a bit so she could greet dogs and people.
9. Then, she decided to move to a seat to enjoy the rest of the game.
Chloe intently watching the game
10. She actually seemed entertained watching the game. Perfect for her baseball-loving owner!
1. Two years ago today, the King of Pop died.
2. It is one of those days that I’ll always remember.
3. Two years ago, I was surprised at the sadness I felt. I’m surprised I still feel that sadness now.
4. I’m not the crazy-obsessed Michael Jackson fan. I reserve that for Jessica Simpson and Jose Canseco.
5. But, I’ve always loved his music and his moves.
6. And, he’s been with me throughout my life. I remember roller skating to his music in the early days, dancing to it at school dances and doing both still today. (Side note: The roller rink floor is a lot farther down than it used to be, and there are all these kids flying by at knee level. YIKES!)
7. I can’t determine a favorite song. I can’t even think of one I don’t like. Lately, I’ve been jamming to “Human Nature.”
8. I do have a favorite video: “Smooth Criminal.”
9. While watching MJ videos today, I found a cool a cappella tribute.
10. Keep rockin’, MJ!
1. I can’t say I was sad when I learned of Jim Tressel’s resignation.
2. I’ve always felt that the former Ohio State football coach was too goody-goody to be true, and that turned out to be true.
3. Tressel’s willingness to bend the rules and overlook violations contradicted everything he stood for (supposedly).
4. I got so sick of Ohio State fans touting his squeaky-clean image and his squeaky-clean program. Oops. Guess he or it isn’t so squeaky clean.
5. The “that would never happen at Ohio State” comment is now null and void. Thank goodness. I really got tired of hearing it.
6. I think my dislike of Tressel developed because Ohio State is always on TV.
7. And, they have those stupid stickers on their helmets. I despise those stickers. Why do they treat college-age men like first graders?
Yes, I belong to a man, not an elementary-age child.
8. Another irritation: The Ohio State University. Ugh. That sounds so uppity.
9. And, the sweater vest. I like sweater vests on guys; I think it’s a good look. I just don’t seem to like coaches in sweater vests (Rick Neuheisel, ugh. Jim Tressel, ugh.).
10. I love the billboard in Michigan that reads: “LIAR, LIAR, VEST ON FIRE!” Awesome. Just awesome.
1. Well, after the last post, I felt a little bad — like I dissed my homeland.
2. The Midwest is a really lovely place, and there are many wonderful things about it.
3. Like barbecue. Holy cow (and pig)! Kansas City barbecue can’t be beat (especially Arthur Bryant’s).
Yes, I like pickles. OK, LOVE pickles (and sliced pork).
4. Aside from the “Friends in Low Places” sing-a-long, watching a baseball game at an outdoor stadium is a treat. And with the recent remodeling, Kauffman Stadium is a very lovely place to watch a game.
5. A sweet (yet very slobbery) dog lives there.
The slobber monster, Dude (my brother’s dog)
6. Another sweet dog (or pig?) resides there.
The cookie monster, Rodeo (my sister-in-law’s dog)
7. The prevalent use of the word “pop” to describe soda rocks my world.
Pop, I love. Hogwash? Not sure …
8. The best university ever resides in the state: Kansas State University (and a large percentage of people wear purple).
9. My rockin’ brother and sister-in-law live there.
Two awesome people
10. My awesome dad lives there, too.
He's not in Kansas anymore (in this photo)
1. Since I moved from Kansas almost nine years ago (Holy crapola! Time flies), I kept thinking it was a slight possibility (and maybe a slight desire) that I would move back.
2. I love-love-love Florida, but Kansas still feels like home. But after this trip, I just don’t want to move back anymore.
3. Family is in Kansas, and that is the only thing that could draw me back.
3. Getting off the plane in late May to cloudy, rainy and cold weather is totally unacceptable to me.
4. Living in a small town is just not for me anymore either. I love city life.
5. I need more entertainment options than eating out or watching a movie. I need more entertainment options that are available and open 24 hours per day (not just in the summer months or not just until 10 p.m.).
6. I need diversity (people, food, culture).
7. I want to go to a Major League Baseball game and not have a sing-a-long to Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.” Um, seriously?
I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture during the Garth Brooks' sing-a-long. I think I was in shock, making camera use impossible.
8. I enjoy not having allergies … to everything.
9. I enjoy not having the weather be my main topic of conversation (or Facebook status). I can’t tell you how many times I heard, “It was cold yesterday” or “It’s really hot today.”
10. Did I mention the weather? I hate the cold.
1. Much to my dismay, CBS did not rehire Charlie Sheen.
2. I’m not a fan of many TV shoes — especially sitcoms — but, “Two and a Half Men” with Charlie Sheen rocks my world. Hilarious. I seriously laugh out loud at every episode.
3. Well, every episode except during that season Charlie was engaged to Chelsea. That season was kinda lame. But, other than that, gut-busting funny.
4. So, when Charlie went a little crack crazy and CBS fired him, I was understandably saddened.
5. I kept hoping that they’d hire him back. I realize this hope was fairly ridiculous, considering Charlie called show co-creator Chuck Lorre a “maggot,” “earthworm” and a “stupid, stupid little man” (among other worse names).
6. I just didn’t see how this extremely popular, successful show could be as highly rated without Charlie, the main character. I love his brother, Alan (Jon Cryer) and the housekeeper, Berta (Conchata Ferrell), but I don’t think they could carry the show (Note: previews on the CBS website that feature Charlie are difficult to find. Bitter much?).
http://www.cbs.com/e/dg0_Ic2BoSmCSFFfqyyJDXSEhSkaEg_c/cbs/1/
7. So, the search for a Charlie replacement began. Names mentioned: Rob Lowe (hot, but no, doesn’t work for me), Robert Downey Jr. (too much of a movie star), John Stamos (still Uncle Jesse to me) and Hugh Grant (I actually liked this option).
8. But, the replacement is none of the above. Instead, it’s Ashton Kutcher.
9. Yuck. Not happy with that choice. AT ALL. I’ll watch an episode or two to see how he’s written into the story line, but totally unappealing choice to me. Boo!
10. Charlie’s response: “Kutcher is a sweetheart and a brilliant comedic performer … oh wait, so am I!”
1. I really don’t want to be one of those female baseball fans who only focus on the players’ looks.
2. I can carry on a conversation about lineups, batting averages and defensive abilities with no mention of hotness.
3. But, I do have my weak moments — mainly when Derek Jeter is involved. Wow.
Spring training is hot.
4. And, while watching the Rays-Indians game last night, when the Rays’ announcer said, “Grady Sizemore is hot,” I couldn’t agree more.
5. He went on to talk about his hot hitting, but I lost him after that. And got lost in Grady Sizemore. Holy hotness.
6. Ahem. How ‘bout those Indians? First place? Shocking.
7. And, the Rays are rockin’. People doubted, but I didn’t.
8. Even after the loss of so many core players, I thought they’d still be good.
9. I do miss Carl Crawford. But, I really love the addition of Johnny Damon.
10. I’m kind of sad Manny Ramirez didn’t stick around, but the Rays seem fine (or better) without him.
1. If MC Hammer’s “2 Legit 2 Quit” comes on anywhere at any time, I will do the hand motions.
2. This usually isn’t a problem … except when I am running.
3. I’m not the best runner, so I need every bit of energy in me to complete a 3-mile run. When I use energy to make Hammer hand motions, I struggle.
4. So, I think it’s time to take it off the iPod because, like I said, I can’t help myself. If I hear it, I gotta do it.
5. I adopted a dog in March, and it’s taken me two full months to get a decent picture of her.
6. Chloe is about 2 years old. She is a pointer mix according to some people. To others, she’s a hound mix.
7. She lived on her own for at least one year. She lived under a shed and ate trash from Publix to survive. She had a litter of puppies that were adopted, and once the adoption agency wrangled her (she used to be skittish around people because they used to shoo her away from food), I adopted her.
8. Chloe rocks! She loves everyone. She’s adapted so well. She hasn’t caused any (OK, many) problems.
9. As one might guess (due to her past living situation), she does enjoy rooting around in the trash. Once I realized that, it’s easy enough to avoid.
10. And, she likes to rearrange things while I’m at work. This involves her taking items (mostly shoes) and putting them in her area. Thank goodness she doesn’t chew them; she just moves them.
