Monday, July 26, 2010

Another Wild Weekend

I guess I was sooo excited I would be seeing my first hurling match, that I had a heck of a time falling asleep Friday night. Actually, I didn't pass out until Saturday morning around 2. Not cool, especially since I had to be on the road by 10:30. Not a lot of wiggle room trying to fit in a solid 8 hours. Although it was probably just drinking Diet Pepsi after 9 and watching The Soup and Chelsea Lately.

Once I did get my act together and I hit the road, I managed to maneuver the boat over to my aunt and uncles, dealing with the occasional smell of fuel along the way (don't worry, the mechanic said that was just exhaust coming in once in a while, no big deal). We headed south to the big P-Town, grateful not to be stuck in the traffic backed up for five miles on northbound 295.

We arrived at the field 20 minutes before the scheduled start time for the match. My cousin had not yet arrived himself. Interesting...it's not often spectators arrive before athletes warm up, but then again, this was a club match. Eventually he arrived with his roommate, who was very nice, and then we waited a bit for the other team to show up. They were coming from Worcester (pronounced Wuhstuh in this neck of the woods), so we figured they were stuck in traffic somewhere.

Finally the game started 45 minutes after originally planned. If you are unfamiliar with hurling, it is a combination of several games you likely are familiar with, such as field hockey, baseball and lacrosse. The match that I watched resembled field hockey more than any other sport, but my cousin later told me that their level of play was not as skilled as others. Apparently professional hurling is played more in the air and hand, and less on the ground.

It is crazy how close to injury the players can be, especially since it is legal to use your hand to catch a ball in the air. Of course, choosing that method leaves you at the mercy of a defender who may try to interfere and whack your arm with a hurley (the primary piece of equipment, a wooden club). The really neat thing to see is when a player is able to balance the sliotar (ball) on the hurley and run down the field - like an egg-in-the-spoon race. And being a baseball fan, I highly a respect a player's ability to toss the ball up and then knock it 50 or 60 yards downfield.

My cousin took a hard hit to his wrist, and unfortunately was done for the game but did not sustain a serious injury. Portland went on to win easily. Celebrating at the local pub RiRas ensued, where I enjoyed an amazing Reuben sandwich with onion rings.
Then my aunt, uncle and I had to head back north. We contemplated the option of taking the interstate, but my uncle decided "at this time of night, traffic is coming into Portland, not leaving it. We'll be fine." Another set of famous last words, like "what's the worst that could happen?" or "that trail has to come out SOMEWHERE" or "so where IS this relationship going?"

Eventually, we arrived home, just in time to catch some fireworks from the interstate in celebration of the incredible, edible egg. I hopped in the boat, and as I started to head home, the "check engine" light popped up. Awwwwesome. I said my prayers to the car gods as I wished it to just keep rolling along. Thankfully it did.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Breakthrough!.....maybe

So I feel as if I may have had a breakthrough in part of my diet saga. As I have tried to incorporate some of the guidelines outlined in Roth's Women Food and Good, I have had trouble with one of the simplest (and best): Eat when you're hungry. It sounds simple, but sometimes it is very hard for me to tell when I am actually hungry.

Today I was able to recognize my hunger twice. Once I pushed past it and kept eating (which violates the "eat until you're satisfied" guideline, but kept in line with "eat what you want" so perhaps they cancel out). The second time, I recognized it and found a way to move past the idea that I had to eat simply because I always eat at that time.

I know it doesn't make any sense to eat when you're full, but when you are staring down General Tso's chicken, peanut chicken, fried dough, and a dumpling (the sign said dumpling, K-Fin, even though it showed symptoms of a potsticker). How was I supposed to turn that down? Actually, I don't plan to partake in a Chinese restaurant buffet for quite a while as I tend to overeat every visit.

But I think I am starting to listen to my body better, and I'm keeping a food journal. No big celebrations for that yet, since I have only kept it for five days, but I'll mini-celebrate after a full week. In the meantime, I have got to get my rest: big day tomorrow that should be full of several blogworthy moments.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

A rough first outing off the bench

After finally getting an interview after five months of searching for a job, I think I may have failed it. It wasn't horrible, but there were definitely a few questions that I immediately thought "wait, can I do that over please?" But there's always an outside chance I am being harder on myself and expecting more than they are. Let's hope, cause momma needs some new tires for the boat. Not to mention, a change of scenery would be welcome.

It did amaze me to sit and realize that I have not had an interview in five years. Furthermore, I haven't had many job interviews ever. So I guess I shouldn't beat myself up too much, and just keep looking forward.

As someone who is more inclined to written communication, the phone and personal interviews are intimidating, and do not allow me to show off my greatest strength. Of course, written responses to the questions would have been more thought out, and articulated better but I guess "administrative assistant" doesn't mean "author."

As far as exercise goes, after walking two days in a row, I took today off. My back bothered me a little, which was surprising. I will have to remember to stretch out tonight before I go to bed since I also weed whacked, and that bothered it enough for me to quit earlier than I normally would.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Blog for the sake of blogging

This post may suffer from me emphasizing the quantity of my posts instead of the quality. Today was one of those days that I did not have a lot of highlights. Of course, it was great catching up with K-Fin, and I made my official Bucket List. What I really liked about the Bucket List is that it seemed to give my life some direction, when lately it seems I have no direction at all.

Speaking of no direction, the boat is going in to visit the car doctor tomorrow, hopefully to regain its directionals. Then I'm hoping it will pass one more inspection so I can register it one more year. Fingers crossed!

Here's hoping tomorrow is more eventful and blogworthy!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Mondays can still be Mundays....

...even when you're unemployed! Who knew?

Today was a bit drab, and I just didn't give 100 percent to make it any better. It was basically a day of just functioning (and sometimes not even that). But I knew I needed to blog because it was a goal to blog on a daily basis. Guess that doesn't include the weekends, haha.

This past weekend was nice and quiet, even though I have still been recovering from my minor back injury. At least I am now able to roll out of bed without writhing in agony or wincing in pain. There is only a little tightness that should work itself out as I work the exercise back into the daily routine.

Speaking of that exercise, I am starting to get a bit concerned about being able to complete my 5K in November. I'm still confident that I can do it, I just have to start the training again and stop putting it off. Otherwise, I definitely won't be able to do it.

So nothing really quirky today, other than I was mildly amused by the dog eating Swedish fish. Life has been fairly quiet.

Friday, July 16, 2010

A change will do you good

I recently made a decision that had two possible results: "fly high" or "fall flat." Well, I feel like a crepe. Okay, maybe more like a ploye, but either way, I did not get the results I desired. But these decisions and their consequences are all part of life, or at least they've been part of mine. Each decision I've made has taught me more than the last. This time around I realized that I was truly more afraid of changing from my "hold steady" position than I was to "fall flat." In fact, I was not nearly as upset as I thought I'd be. Sure, I'm going through an adjustment period right now, but I don't think it has sunk in that I am more free now than I was two weeks ago. And if I hadn't moved forward, I might never be able to fly high. I guess I just don't have my wings yet, so in the meantime, I am impatiently waiting for the next choice to come.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

This Old House

This one should be short, but it won't be too sweet. Didn't exercise today, didn't eat very well, and overall, not a lot of highlights. I did, however, have the chance to spend an entire day with my brother (the one that concentrates on work so much, most of my friends and acquaintances forget about him, so I dub him Other Brother). We drove 3 hours down to a house to view the contents he and two other guys would be hauling away on Tuesday. It was the first time either of us had laid eyes on the place.

The house was in a nice wooded area in eastern Massachusetts, surrounded by many historical and immaculate houses. The outside looked okay, but inside it appeared someone had thrown some sort of tantrum. I'm not sure of the entire backstory, but to me it was like someone had left semi-abruptly.

There was not a lot that was salvageable, but there was some decent furniture my brother would be able to sell, in addition to a few other items. Plus I found what I believe to be a gusli, plus a book and a cigar box I really liked.

In addition, we had a vigorous search for a row boat that was said to exist, but we could not locate. We checked the house at least twice, including closets. What, you can't hide a row boat in a closet? Have you never read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe? I rest my case. Nevertheless, we did not find a row boat. I did find a schooner. It's 8 inches long, and after painting the pieces, I can probably put it together in about five minutes.

After a few phone calls, it was soon discovered that one of the painting crew members had taken it, as his boss was under the impression it was garbage with a slew of other items. They're bringing it back and putting it in the garage so my brother will be able to take that as well. As Rob put it, he was not going to give up what he called "the highlight of the whole deal here." To which I responded by spraying my mouthful of Mountain Dew on the inside of the passenger side window.

We headed back north, and fully enjoyed the experience of a brilliant traffic pattern - twice - before finding the highway we needed and just as we breathed a sigh of relief, we came to a halt in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Eventually five lanes merged to two, and traffic let up considerably once we passed a slightly-more-than-minor fender bender. After a brief stop in NH, it was smoooooth sailing to the home base.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Back out just when I was back in

I hit a minor bump in the road today...got out of the car after riding around for a few hours - instant back pain. So a muscle has been aggravated, and boy is it painful! But enough bitching. I'll get through it because I've had to do it plenty of times before. However, I was only able to walk 1/4 of a mile on the treadmill, and did not get nearly enough exercise. There is a bit more urgency to the fitness routine as I officially signed up for the Loco Moose 5K. On November 12, I will either complete my first 5K or be out $16.

Diet-wise, today was not bad at all. Oatmeal, OJ, and a piece of string cheese for breakfast; chicken teriyaki sandwich and shared fried mushrooms and curly fries with Mom for lunch; cherries as a snack, and grilled pork chop, beet greens and mashed potatoes for dinner. I followed it up with a "generous serving" of light ice cream for dessert. Mom and I had originally planned to stop at Big G's for lunch and split a sandwich after running some errands, but we were about 20 minutes too late or 45 minutes too early as the line to order sandwiches was out the door with local youth. Major bummer. But the meal at Snack Shack did suffice.

I'm hoping my back won't be in too rough of shape tomorrow since I am riding with the other brother to Massachusetts. Should be a fun a day!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Another attempt to blog regularly

Well, I have a new project that I've decided to try and keep me blogging. I recently read the book Women Food and God by Geneen Roth. It was endorsed by Oprah, but I picked it up because the guidelines it listed intrigued me. Roth's writing is great, and she definitely hits on some truths in the food-weight loss. So what I am doing now is attempting a 15 week program in rereading the book, and doing workbook questions. Furthermore, I am getting back on the exercise track after taking time off to vacation. Yes, I needed a vacation from...not working.

Maybe I am getting too ambitious with all of the health and fitness goals, on top of writing, but right now, I'm feeling confident. I've got a great "Writing Reader" book to use, plus I might find some other prompts for my blog, should I find myself stuck. I've accepted the fact that not all blogs are going to be gold, or even silver, but maybe one will be platinum once in a while.