Wondering what to do during your next trip out to Ocean Beach?

Tweet

Well, Scuttlefish has created "THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO OCEANIC FUN IN SAN FRANCISCO" (they put it in all caps, so I did too). If you're curious about rip currents, sharks, wetsuits, fog, or sand castles, Scuttlefish works to overcome all of your questions and concerns. It's a fun little website that has the potential to provide many weekends of fun.

Big Sur Half Marathon

Tweet

Oh! Also, I forgot to mention that Eric and I are signed up for the Big Sur Half Marathon on November 15th in Monterey. This is what I call a "motivation race." By this, I mean that since I'm paying $83 to run it, I'd better get my lazy butt back in shape and not disgrace myself. Being hurt was a good excuse for a while, but at some point I have to accept that the pain isn't going away and move on with my life. Honestly, I'm SO excited to be running again, and training for a half is so much easier than training for a full, that I hardly feel like I'm having to work at all.

Anyone else want to run it with us?

Big Basin Hike

Tweet

Last Saturday, AP, Han, Wally, and I did a ~10 mile hike in Big Basin north of Santa Cruz. And guess who was the least tired at the end? The 4.5 month old puppy! Yep, he schooled us with his 8" long legs and great attitude. The hike itself was quite nice...it was mainly in the redwoods and therefore shady. There was a lot of elevation change, and my out-of-shape quads were most definitely reminding me of my 2 months off. The pay-off for the hike was the multiple waterfalls (the headliner was Big Bear Waterfall, I think) about two-thirds into the loop, but unfortunately, there was a shorter trail that also led to said waterfalls. That meant that 98,000 tourists were eating lunch there when we passed through. Regardless of the Cheeto-munching multitudes, we took some cool pics and dunked Wally in the water before heading on our merry way. I'm pretty sure we were on the Sea Basin trial (or something like that) most of the time, but don't quote me.

We finished the day camping at Sunset State Beach. By the time we got to the campsite, the 3 girls were pooped and ready for dinner, but Wally somehow still had the energy to tear around the area like a madman. I ended up having to leash him to the picnic table, which he didn't like, but at least our fellow campers and I got a little piece of mind (Wally contented himself with fake burying things under the table). Three shrimp tacos, two s'mores, and two beers later, Wally and I retired to our tent where the little man snuggled right into my sleeping bag with me, and we both passed out till 5:30am. We spent the following morning exploring the (non-dog friendly) beach in the suuuuper thick fog before returning to SF by way of Santa Cruz. Man, I never realized how many outdoor places DIDN'T allow dogs.

And that's the story of Big Basin and Sunset. Not a bad weekend's work, if I do say so myself.

PS Dogs weren't allowed on this trail, so please don't report me. I just couldn't leave the pup behind on such a gorgeous day.

Backlog of Adventures

Tweet

I've haven't been great about blogging my everyday and not so everyday adventures recently...in fact, that backlog goes back quite a ways. As I see it, I owe you posts about the following:

1. SXSW...yes, this was a long time ago. It is also encased in an alcohol-induced haze (a side-effect of a weekend with your best friends). You may just have to do without adventures from this particular weekend.
2. "Meeting" Robert Redford at the Brave New Voices premier here in SF.
3. My trip to Atlanta for Jacqui and Lachlan's wedding (that is where the name Kuntry entered my life)
4. A 2 week work trip to Casmalia/Santa Maria, CA...I trapped mice on a Superfund site for 2 weeks. Yes, you read that right.
5. 5th Princeton Reunion
6. Wedding of Eric's best friend in Charlottesville, VA. Talk about a fairy-tale wedding. Geez.
7. Taking Wally to work with me in Ft. Bragg.
8. My brother moving to Cali.
9. Taking Wally to Denver for Eric's game and the 4th of July. Yeah, Wally and I played fetch on the field at Invesco. NBD.
10. Carly's bachelorette in Vegas
And last but not least, 11. Hiking in Big basin followed by camping at Sunset State Beach.

Whew, I'm exhausted just writing all that out. I guess I need to get cracking. First post is coming right up...tomorrow :)

PS I have some other fun stories as well...crack pipes on Muni, everyday Wally adventures, etc. You know...the usual stuff.

Wally update!

Tweet

Hi readers,

After spending a month being completely absorbed by puppy playtime and the like, it's time to return to the world of blogging. Given that Wally is the center of my life at the moment, it makes sense to give a quick update on our life with the tyke to kick things off...

1) He is now 14 weeks and 8lbs. That's twice as big as he was when we got him! I can hardly believe it.
2) Clicker training + "high value" treats = a VERY obedient puppy...almost too obedient. As soon as he sees the clicker come out, he starts doing every single trick he knows...all at the same time!
3) Make sure to listen to your puppy on long car trips, otherwise you might end up with a young one peeing in your lap...followed by a policeman pulling over to make sure you're ok (because you pulled over on the side of the highway), and you having to explain that you "spilled something on yourself." I will forever maintain that it was a perfectly acceptable and desirable white lie for everyone involved.
4) The books say that puppies will cease using the bathroom if you pick them up when they start having an accident in the house. This is not true.
5) Puppies love to snuggle under the covers and sleep by your feet in the bed when you let them.
6) Taste of the Wild dog food is awesome.
7) Lunchtime walks with a puppy make both the puppy and the owner happier beings.

That's all for now, but it's a daily adventure with our little man. Stay tuned...

Things I Learned Today

Tweet

Here's a list of the things I learned today:

1) Puppy diarrhea at 4:40am wakes you up, even if it's in a crate across the room.
2) Wall-e is 3.8 lbs and is probably 7-8 weeks old. We still have no idea what breeds he is.
3) Even at 3.8 lbs and 7 weeks, our new pup learned to scale his puppy gate in the bathroom in less than 24 hours (it's almost 2 feet high). Back to Petco we go...
4) Puppy breath is always adorable.
5) Wall-e barks at only two things (so far): my white tiger stuffed animal and his reflection in the glass of the TV stand.

I'm sure the list will double in size by tomorrow. This is so fun! If the new pup doesn't count as an everyday adventure, I don't know what does.

Meet the new pup!

Tweet

World, meet Wall-e...Wall-e, meet the world.

Yep, he came home with us today. Now we get to look forward to pee on the carpet, chewed up shoes, and sharing an apartment with the cutest, lovey-est puppy in the whole world. We got him from a rescue group called P.E.T.S. (People Ending the Slaughter), and we have absolutely NO idea what kind of dog he is. We do know that he's about 4-5 pounds right now, has medium length fun, white paws with freckles, and a brindle back. Besides that, your guess is as good as mine. Maybe we'll have a better idea after a trip to the vet tomorrow.
So far he's been really laid-back in the apartment, loves playing with his rope toy, is quite the snuggler/lover, and has even gone potty outside twice (and once in the kitchen). Not too bad for his first day!

I have a feeling that a lot of blog posts are going to be devoted to this little boy in the future.

Can we keep him?!

Tweet

Meet our potential new member of the family! We go to see/play with him on Wednesday afternoon, and it's then that we'll decide if he is the right pup for us. I will say, though, I played with him for about 2 hours yesterday afternoon, and his is the cutest, sweetest, happiest little pup you've ever met...quite a little clown too. The shelter has no idea what breed he is, but they think there's some Australian shepherd in there somewhere. Besides that it's anyone's guess. They think he'll be about 15-20 pounds full-grown...the perfect size for an active city dog.

I'll keep you posted on what happens. This is a big decision, and we're not taking it lightly :) Now, off to Petco!

My Life Until May 9th

Tweet

This is my life from April 26th to May 9th...
And this is where I'm doing it...
Life could most definitely be worse...but I should mention the 12 hour days, 35 mph wind, and the fact that I am also collecting smelly bugs (earwigs, beetles, etc), plants, and squirmy water creatures too. So it's not all fun and games and mouse-catching.

Worst Name Ever

Tweet

I know that southern people have a tendency to name their children strange things, but this takes it just a little too far.

PS In case you can't read that, it says "Kuntry." Yes, that is the child's name...Kuntry. This picture was taken while I was home in Atlanta for a(n amazing) wedding this past weekend.

Site Goes Live at Some Point Today

Tweet

Check out www.onecitylax.org!

It's Eric's baby, and I wrote all the web content. Feel free to leave advice/suggestions on this blog.

Also, not that I had anything to do with it, but the "Video" page is especially cool.

Who doesn't love riding the bus?

Tweet

Public transit is a fickle creature. Seriously, sometimes it's the best thing ever, and sometimes it makes you wish you could click your heels and get spirited back to Kansas (not that I've had the pleasure of visiting Kansas...yet). This morning was no exception. Having decided to work out of the SF office today, as opposed to making the trek to the East Bay, I merrily skip out my front door just in time to see a loaded express bus go flying past my stop because, it being 8:05 am, we are smack dab in the middle of morning rush hour. Well, not being one to take rejection sitting down, I throw my computer and gym bag over my shoulder, and start powerwalking to a bus stop a bit earlier down the bus line...this is when the eccentricities of the SF bus really started to manifest themselves.

1) After hiking 4 block with two large bags over my shoulders (luckily I wore my cowboy boots today. I would not have tried this is heels), I see another express bus coming and think "YES!" only to watch it fly by just as the previous one did. At this point (1o min behind schedule), I start thinking "WTF? I've hiked a half a mile in work clothes carry at least 40 lbs (my laptop is from 1982). What does a girl have to do to catch a bus?"
2) I walk one more block and see another express coming. Luckily, this one was pretty much tailing the last bus, so it's not to full..and guess what?!?! I get on and GET A SEAT!!! Getting a seat on during rush hour is kind of like winning the lottery...but without the taxes.
3) My whole morning was significantly improved by this seat because it gave me a place (i.e. my lap) to put my two large bags. I mean, what do you do if you have to carry your laptop, gym bag, tupperware, AND purse to work everyday (like me). Fancy, dressed-up, corporate chicks do NOT like my dirty running shoes in their face. Seriously, what if I had to bring a cake into work or something? Things could get ug-ly.
4) Another aspect of bus-riding baffles me...the heat/stuffiness of the bus vs. the cold of outside. If I board the bus in outside gear (sweater and jacket), I am sweating withing 4.2 seconds. Like, unattractively and socially unacceptably sweating...but I look around and everyone in wool coats seems to be cool, happy, and sweat-free. What am I doing wrong here?!? Teach me your secret, large suit-wearing man!
5) I watched a girl get kicked off the bus this morning because she didn't have $1.50...only $1.25. That was simply mean of the bus driver.

So there you go...a typical weekday morning bus experience. Stay tuned for the next installment "Saturday morning bus rides through Chinatown." Believe me, you don't want to miss it.

PS Apologies to those who noticed this is an alternate version of my YBG post today. I liked it too much to only use it once :)
PPS I'm wearing high waisted trouser-jeans at work today...without a lepoard belt. Take THAT, Jessica Simpson.

The Road to Boston: Part 1

Tweet

2009 Boston Marathon, here I come!  Yep, I'm approximately one month in to training for this prestigious race, though I hardly feel like I'm getting in the shape I need to go.  Marathon training typically involves 4 months of escalating mileage, so right about now I should be doing my first 20-miler.  Unfortunately, because of the foot/knee debacle, the farthest I have run in 2 weeks is the ill-adviser half marathon last Sunday.  Therefore, my "road" to Boston is currently a stationary bike at Planet Granite (btw, how DO those tiny, Asian girls scale 5.10c's so easily?  I've had a chance to study many ascents, and I just can't figure out how they can do it and I can...but I digress), and/or the old Army pool at the Presidio YMCA.  The old pool is pretty cool with it's mural (see left) and everything...but it's also fairly shallow, meaning I can only job half a lap before my feet hit the bottom and I have to turn around, which really confuses my lane-mates.  Additionally, it's a YMCA pool, so there are lots of water aerobics classes that I must schedule my workouts around.

Pool jogging is a surprisingly good workout, and according to Kate O'Neill (a running superstar who kicked everyone's fanny in the 1/2 on Sunday with a 1:15), it's a great way to cross-train and/or stay in shape if injured.  She says that if you run without a flotation device, it forces you to maintain perfect form...that is, if you don't drown.  Perfect form + non-impact running = my road to recovery.  See you at the next race...Kate.

So there's a little insight on my current journey to Boston.  Hopefully it will get more interesting once I can run again.  You don't often see fiberglass farm animals at the pool...but wow, if you did...!?!

Matter over mind

Tweet

Have you ever tried to ignore something bad in hopes that if you live in denial long enough, the problem will disappear?  Well, it's time to admit something to my adoring, imaginary readers.  I've been trying to deny it for two weeks now, but alas, it was made clear to me last night that I can ignore the issue no longer.  I'm freakin' injured, and I can't run the half marathon I'd planned to run in the morning.  And I was planning SUCH a great "Point A to Point B: Mile by Mile" post for tomorrow.  No joy of competition, no salty Ocean Beach sea spray in my face, no Body Glide on my feet, no getting overly competitive with my friends...my dream of a journey to a new PR is dashed.  I won't bore you with the events of the past two weeks, but let's just say it involved an orthopedic PA, a potential stress fracture, pool jogging at the Y with old people with an iPod taped to my head, an orthopedist, a podiatrist, icing my knee while watching LOST, and a heck of a lot of Celebrex.  You'd think after that much attention my foot/knee would have healed up nicely, but noooo, no bodily cooperation there.  

Dang IT band...why ya gotta be doin' this?  You can make it to mile 5 a-okay, but you just CAN'T bother to feel good through mile 6, can you?  Don't you know that I am NOT one of those happy-cheer-my-friends-on-the-sidelines kind of gals?  It's always better to be IN there, IN the action.  So, tomorrow I will run the first couple miles with my buddies, and then cheer them on while I pout on the inside.

At least I can take some good pictures to post on the website tomorrow.  Maybe I'll bring water balloons or African bees to the race...that will make things MUCH more interesting/illegal.  Get exCITed! 

Yes, this is real

Tweet

As seen while walking back from lunch this afternoon...

Dale: "Wow, how did you teach them to do that?"

Straight-faced, carny dude: "Duct tape."

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

I'm famous!

Tweet

Yep, yep...I was on the radio tonight! My debut came in the form of being 1/5th of the accident on the onramp for Interstate 580 from Highway 24, and good ol' NPR talked about us (we're such troublemakers). Don't worry. I'm totally fine, and the Fit is okay too. We were rear-ended as the very front car in a five ($5???) car pileup. My little black car only took a tap, but I was the do-good-er to call 911, so I had to stick around. Now I'm finally home, safe and sound, and ready to sleep at least twelve hours. So much excitement for a commute home!

Life-sized, plastic farm animals

Tweet

Today was the 9,721st time I wish that I'd had my camera while running. At mile 5 of a 16-miler on the Iron Horse Trail in the East Bay, I came upon...and I'm not joking or exaggerating in the LEAST...a life-sized farm scene made out of plastic (or fiberglass?). There was a farmer, multiple horses and cows, a very happy pig, some sheep, and more. The list just goes on.

Seriously, who does that? Why is that a good way to spend your time and money? It's in their BACK YARD for goodness sake (not seen from the street)...surrounded by its OWN FENCE (i.e. not easily accessible for play time). The world may never know.

Though I didn't take a pic of the actual scene, I did find this gem online: fiberglassfarm.com - Would you like a taste of their wares?

Horsies!

Awwww, the little lamb

What the HELL kind of farm is this? And yes, it came from the fiberglassfarm.com website.

Finding myself: Stories about everyday...or not so everyday...travel

Tweet

It's been about two weeks since I started this here bloggy, and I realize that to this point my writings have had as about as much direction as Britney Spears circa late 2007. Now that I've stretched my blogging legs, it's time to "find myself." And I've come up with what I consider a great idea (though I'll admit a fine, young women we'll call ACE may or may not have had a lot of influence on it)...

This is going to be a travel blog. No, no, NO...not THAT kind of Travel Blog. This travel blog is going to document all the ridiculous things that happen to me and my friends while traveling...BUT I'm using "traveling" in the broader sense of the word. I mean any kind of traveling for any distance to anywhere...a commute to work, a trip to Hawaii, driving to the gym, a trip to the bathroom...any and every kind of "travel" is game, so while I will happily blog about my annual winter trip to visit friends in Utah or our family trip to Florida, I'm also going to write about what I saw while I was running yesterday or while walking on the beach on Saturday (see Saturday's post).

I hate to even call this a travel blog. It's more a website about getting from point A to point B and/or what one finds at point B, but that label seems a bit long...maybe it's better described as a blog about everday...or not so everyday...travel. Yeah, I like that. Over and out.

Lights, camera, ACTION...and stick ninjas

Tweet

The BF and I were walking down Ocean Beach on Saturday, looking for a good place to film a part of my Best Job Ever video when we happened upon this...

Man, do I love this city. 75 degrees, sun, beach, January (global warming, much?), and then we happen upon this crowd. I think it's important to note that they were fighting in slow motion with sticks as we walked up, but quickly switched to this geriatric ballet. Maybe they're practicing for Love Fest...or not.

See any birds?

Tweet

My set for the week. Not too bad, right?