88.9

I listen to/ watch VH1 in the morning. I tune in for Kidd Kraddick in the morning and Ryan Seacrest in the afternoon. My primary news source is twitter. So the fact that I have NEVER done this before will be of no surprise. So......

#5 of 20: Listen to NPR. (and only NPR for one whole, super long, I really needed Lil Wayne week)

Well, here is a full report on my experience. I wanted to change the station a good 3-4 times each time I got in the car. I realized that was more out of my channel surfing habit than a desire to avoid what I was hearing. While I tuned out about every 3rd story, I actually got sucked into a few. I learned something about the potential of a high speed rail connecting LA and San Fransisco. I learned of tragedy surrounding the plane carrying the Polish president and other high officials crashing. I heard endless stories about Massey, coal mining, and safety. I found out that Natalie Merchant has come out with an album of lullabies and jigs that will drive hippie parents wild. Days of texting while driving may be numbered. In local news, I learned that Nims Middle School is the first middle school to EVER be selected to perform at the Sugar Bowl. Oh and I actually knew that the eruption of the Icelandic volcano had closed airports in the UK, long before I made it to the office and saw the commotion that it created.

It was fun being smart for a week. But I am going back to pop music and 90s hits. I just need it. I can't help it. It is who I am.

Those &^$#% April Showers!

If you were me, here is what your Thursday afternoon was like.... You leave work, you meet one of the most lovely people in the world for a cupcake date (and maybe a glass of wine). It is bliss. So wonderful. So yummy. You don't even mind that it is as if the heaven's have opened up and poured down so much rain that you doubt there ever was (or is) a drought. You don't even mind navigating ever so cautiously around the swelling lake sized puddles that you have formed as you walk back to your car. That is of course until you have a real life, true story, Bridget Jones moment.
That's right. A car just drilled me with a tidal wave of water. I might have shrieked. Julia immediately says, "Give me your camera, I know you have your camera!" Of course she said that through her laughter... that I am sure hasn't stopped.

In all fairness, she was pretty wet herself. The kind of soaked when the weight of your drenched pant legs causes them to fall down. We had no choice at this moment. We just had to go home.

Welcome to April in Florida. (Who am I kidding, welcome to April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.)

Baby got back...

The following conversation about another conversation actually happened. It occurred via text message. (As most great conversations do.)

Z is the college pastor at our church. (I know, 80% of readers know exactly who that is.)

M is well, me.

Z: While thanking Emily* for helping with the Boston Butt fundraiser** this was her reply..."No problem, I love anything that has to do with butts! It runs in the family."

Thought you should know. I can recommend a good counselor if needed.

M: Haha...No amount of counseling can help us.

Z: Didn't think so.

*My youngest sister and college student extraordinaire.

**Fundraiser for FBC's College Ministry- Smoked Boston Butts sold every fall and spring for $25. Buy one, you won't regret it. Yes, that was a shameless plug. But not as shameless as this one.

I've got 99 problems, but this bridge ain't one....*

Ah, I just love Charleston. That little city just makes me smile. (And not because Lea's mother-in-law lives there...though it would make for interesting stories...) I have become quite fond of my annual Spring visit, even if my visit coincides with the visit of oh say, 40,000 other runners. As long as Glenda Bebber is one of them, I am good.

So, why is the Cooper River Bridge Run so special to me? Glad you asked. This was the first race that I had EVER run. It was a huge goal that Glenda and I sent our sights on a few years ago. Honestly, this race was the thing that really brought us together. All of those afternoon runs in Wingate, NC brought a shift in our relationship. We quickly transitioned from coworkers to friends. For us, SO many life decisions have been discussed out on the road. Something about the heat or the cold, the shortness of breath, and the sweat.... it just created a safe space. I love that even though we now live 550 miles apart, we still meet up.... just to run.

On Saturday, GB and I ran our 6th race together. It was simply lovely. Well, aside from the wind, the sweat and GB's snot rockets over the bridge- whoops...I said it. (Although, we all know I am not one for keeping other's secrets.)

Here's to next year! April 2, 2011, who's in?

*A Jay-Z reference every now and then never hurts.

Those darn life applications...

There is a lesson here somewhere....

I must first explain my absence (yet again)... My lovely Sony Vaio has again failed me. Rather, as I have recently learned, I failed it. I know, I know, I can access blogger via this crazy thing called the world wide web. BUT, there is just something about curling up with that lovely little computer in my lap that just makes blogging seem so very right.

So for a little story...

Mr. Geek Squad: Good Afternoon, How can I help you? Wait... have you been in here before? You look really familiar.

Me (in my head): No, I haven't been here. You just used the lamest pick up line in the book.

Me (in real life): No, but I need help!

Mr. GS: What's the problem? (I set my laptop on the counter.) Ooooh- It's so pretty. Did you get it here, I have never seen one like this?

Me: It may be pretty, but it sure doesn't work. And yes, I bought it here. Well, not this actual store...but another Best Buy. You get the point.

Mr. GS then tries his bag of tricks to get my lovely laptop to power on. You guessed it, nothing worked. At which point, he began fiddling with a piece that was moderately loose. So, here comes the shaming question... (much like the Sprint guy asking if your phone has water damage-- yes, dropping it in the toilet is classified as water damage-- but that is another story.)

Cue shaming.

Mr. GS: Did you drop it?

Me: Um...well... yeah...probably....I am moderately clumsy

Mr. GS: Well, it appears that the problem is somewhere between the connection and the motherboard. You will have to take it to Sony to have it repaired. And let's be real, that will cost you more than a laptop.

Me: no words. just sad face.

Mr. GS: (with really sad face) What a shame, this is a really pretty laptop.

Me: I know. I know.

So, as I was walking to my car with my very sad news, I couldn't help but think.... Something can be so pretty and alluring, that people are immediately attracted to it. But if it isn't living up to its potential, or purpose, it doesn't really do us much good.

Life application: I can spend all the time, money and effort in the world trying to look a certain way. But if I fail to sharpen my insides- my thoughts, my speech, my consideration, my sharing my heart , how much have I really contributed? Who is able to benefit from me then. Answer, not many. After all, charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting.

I have power!

(alternate title: A black girl, a white girl and a man in a Kimono walk into a bar...)

Most of you didn't even notice that I was gone. Indeed, I was. The adapter on my laptop decided on March 2nd that it no longer wanted to perform its God-given function. It probably needs to read something by Rick Warren. But who actually reads all that? Well, thanks to eBay- I have a new AC adapter and I am back in business.

Here is one of many things that happened while I was unable to power my lovely little Sony Vaio with its chocolate reptile cover. (Like you doubted that my laptop would have a chocolate reptile cover...)

I can't make this stuff up. It is like the making of a good joke. Or bad one. This guy. Dressed in this costume. Was out and about in midtown the other weekend. Vita and I were just minding our own business, when hello, look who sits down next to us. I mean, really? Really? Did that just happen. It did. And Whitney had my camera ready.

Who dat?

Well, I just can't seem to stay in the same time zone for long. So, I headed west to yet another city that I had never been to before. All because a year ago, when Jessica moved to New Orleans (something about wanting to live with her husband), the cheetahs decided to run the Mardis Gras 1/2 marathon.

Presenting #4 of 20. Visit New Orleans.

Things we did. In no particular order. Dressed up like Elvis. Got interviewed by a pseudo reporter. Ate crab cake po'boys. Ate sweet potato fries. Walked through the French Quarter. Peeked at Bourbon Street. Ate doughnuts. Ate bagels. Ate lettuce wraps. Went to a delightful chocolate shop. Ate chocolate. Ran 13.1 miles. Beat the mayor of New Orleans. Laughed. Sang. Added medals to the collection.

Some photographic evidence.