Camping/Hiking...Pat's Run

More March fun...camping/hiking with friends, including the annual "Burn a Birthday Chair," which is undoubtedly bad for the enviornment and good for bonding with friends...Also ran a local race...happy to have completed it faster than last year...was happy the hills didn't quite hurt as much...

Nat and I before the race...

The starting line...see the balloon arch very far away...yes, the first runners crossed the finish line before most of us began the race...due to a "wave start" and there being about 20,000 runners.

The race ends in the ASU stadium...so many people...

Some friends and I after the race.

Mom and Dad's Visit

I'm back from my blogging break...here's a quick update...in March, Mom and Dad visited. We had a great time which included: shopping, hiking, eating, playing, etc. (I think my dad may remember it more like: shopping, shopping, shopping...). It was a short visit but we had fun. I think (and hope) they're coming again soon!

A few pictures of our hike...some are of us actually hiking and some are when mom and I played while dad went on a "real hike."

It's That Time Again...

One day last week, I headed into to the grocery to do my shopping. On my way in I was nearly mauled by 2 very energetic 8-yr olds who pointed at a table with 2 less enthusiastic adult women who were guarding the tower of...you guessed it: Girl Scout Cookies.


So I asked how much...when the tired but smiling mom responded "Four dollars," I wanted to say "What? Didn't they used to be...like...$2.50???" So I say thank you and head into the store sans thin mints. But don't worry, while I shopped for eggs, double fiber english muffins, oranges, and asparagus...thin mint thoughts danced in my head. I completed my (planned) shopping and headed out where same 2 giddy girl scout sellers attacked. I relented. "One box of thin mints please." Shared some with roommates, rationed the rest of the first row out over a few days...and the 2nd row is in the freezer for a later time.


Am I tempted to go back and stock up? Yes. Do thin mint thoughts some times pop up when I least expect it, yet. But will I cave and stock up? No. That would be gluttony. And I'm pretty sure that that is not a virtue that Girl Scouts stand behind. Promoting seasonal obesity, yes. Draining the pockets of unsuspecting grocery shoppers, yes. But gluttony...probably not.


So. Welcome girl scout cookie season. Eat responsibly.

True Story: Part II

Well friends, I would like to tell you I went on a date with a darling, charming, intellectual, athletic and amazing man. I would like to tell you that on Sunday night, the paths of two lonely singles, not only crossed, but nearly collided-a chance of fate that simply was unavoidable...true love.

I would like to. But I'm a terrible liar. So instead. The Truth.

BikeBoy (name not to be revealed to protect...well, me mostly) texted me...and called me and texted me and called me...so much in 2 days that I was over it before it could even start. Knowing virtually nothing about me, the only questions he ever asked me were "Who do you live with?" and "Where do you live?" He didn't get any details to either question, but asked them both multiple times. A stalker with a bad memory? I don't know. When I asked him (normal people) questions like: What do you like to do? He answered "draw read meditate" when I asked what a few of his favorite books are, he took forever to respond with "Julie! I don't know!" I should know better than to ask such complicated questions.

Bottom line. He didn't pass the "safe enough to dine with in public" test...when he randomly texted "I'll have you"...when I asked him what he meant by that he denied having typed it and said "U must be talkin to some other guy cause i have not a clue wat you mean" and then quickly "Just call me when you're off work, we're still on for tonight, right?" and when I didn't respond "JUST CALL ME WHEN UR OFF WORK!" Tsk, tsk-doesn't he know that ALL CAPS in email or text represents screaming? I'm sorry. No. We don't scream at people when we're still trying to trick them into dating us. Bad form.

Sorry pal. When I delivered the bad news, he wrote ",.ok if u say so"...and while I admit my imperfection in writing and punctuation (I over-use the ellipsis on a constant basis), I have never seen anyone use a COMMA to start a sentence. Hmmm. I find it ironic that his last words were almost exactly his first words:

"Thanks again for almost killing me!"

Don't cry, friends. Not all is lost. I did manage to get a photo of him...and one of he and I. Enjoy.

True Story

Before I tell this story, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am a safe driver. It's been WELL over a year since I've had even a minor brush with the law, I no longer speed and I have always checked by blind spot. That being said...had a tiny brush with death last night. Not my own so much, but that of a bicyclist.

See. It was 11:34 pm. Approximately. I was driving home from my friend's house and was at a stop sign on a side street. I look left-nothing, look right, nothing...begin to turn right, when suddenly...out of nowhere, there is a guy on a bike literally inches from the front of my car on the passenger side. He was none-too-happy about the fact that I almost killed him (understandably) and yelled "Oh my he--!" (censored to protect the innocent) as he softly pounded the hood of my car. He stops and I can tell he's preparing to really yell at me. I think to myself "So...since technically I didn't hit him, if I just drive off...it's not a hit-and-run, right?!" But then I think of all the times running that I've almost been hit by drivers and decided I at least owe this boy a decent apology. It goes something like this:

Mad Cyclist (MC): "Ahhh! What were you thinking?!?! Didn't you see me?!?"
Me: No, I'm so sorry, I didn't.
MC: Ahhh! You scared me! You seriously almost hit me!
Me: I am very sorry.
MC: What were you thinking?!
Me: (thinking, I know this boy is in shock but this conversation isn't going anywhere) "I'm sorry"
MC: Didn't you see my light?
Me: (getting annoyed and defensive) "No, I didn't, you were going too slow, you hadn't passed me yet and the light is in the back of your bike, not the front!"
MC: "You almost hit me!"
Me: Yeah, I know. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?

So imagine that conversation cycling through a few times (nice pun, eh?). I said other brilliant things including "I ride a bike too!" and "I don't just HIT people!!!" (Wow Jules...deep). He said dumb things too. Understandably. Eventually he calmed down and said "I'm sorry, it just scared me." It was then that he said "Can I ask you a question?" To which I respond "Sure"...he asks my name, I tell him, he introduces himself (gives me his hand to shake-through the 3.5 inch gap in the passenger side window) and then he then says:

"I know this is weird, but...do you think I could take you out sometime?"

Are you kidding me?!?! I burst out laughing and said "After I just almost killed you?" He says "Yeah, you seem like a nice girl." Random. So to abbreviate. I have a date with a guy I almost killed. Do not fret, I will meet him in a public place, he has minimal info about me...and I'm guessing this may be a one-time deal. He did smile while talking and say "Maybe this happened for a reason?" Hmmm. Hard to say. I do intend to tell him that next time he should A) get a light for the FRONT of his bike (as per AZ law regarding riding at night) and B) wear a helmet. I will do my part by being more aware. And I will apologize again. Only one more time though, as I still think it's mostly his fault.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm pretty sure not having these Love Spectacles in my life is what has kept me from finding my True Love. But, never fear, I am now all set. I will let you know how it turns out. If the glasses work, my mother's dollar will have been very well spent. Thank you Mom.

Face It

I have some advice for you, my friends:

After you go on an exceptional run...and you are walking in the house-(still reveling in what a big-shot you are for breaking your 6-mile record)...in the dark, rounding the corner you've rounded a thousand times...be careful.

Because if you aren't, you may run a thousand miles an hour SMACK into the wall. You will wonder when and how the wall grew just enough inches longer to fully flatten your otherwise happy little nose. And, your nose will be bleeding before you even peel it off the wall. And you will laugh, even though the blow brought instant, unthinking tears to your eyes, probably because you popped your tear ducts too; you WERE going fast.

The next day, you will feel like someone shot you in the face, through your nose, of course. You will wonder if you will die, you will be pretty certain your brain is swollen and that this REALLY might be the hill you will die on. And you will take some Tylenol and ice your face. And you will live.

But next time, you will turn on the light. And probably just walk as you round the corner you've rounded a thousand times...