Keeping the Audience in Mind

Well, I did it. I told Steve about my blog. He read the entries I wrote about him and ALL THE HISTORY. Said his favorite was Pet Peeves.

He's the first guy I've dated that I've told about the blog, mostly because I've made fun of the other guys and they didn't last long enough to let them know about my closet writer. I'm touched that he read it all, that he found it interesting enough to keep going and that he's interested in me to learn about me through my blog. But now, of course, I have to be careful what I write!

Not that there's anything bad to write. Things are moving along nicely. We are enjoying each other's company and have spent time both going out and staying in. But as my fellow bloggers will understand, you have to keep your audience in mind when venting.

For example, my family all reads this. (Steve was a bit alarmed to learn this. "Your WHOLE family?") So I don't want to write about my parents or sisters doing things that might, possibly, if-I-wasn't-such-an-even-tempered-person, annoy me. Of course, they are such wonderful, considerate, loving people that those things don't occur often. If at all. Right, family? (desperate attempt to get you all to comment)

My Own Personal Hurricane Evacuees

Early Wednesday morning I received a call from my sister Stephanie in Houston. With forecasters warning of Hurricane Rita’s approach and experiencing firsthand the increasing panic of fellow Houstonians at the bank, gas station and grocery store, she wisely decided to pack up the twins and head north to Dallas. Her husband Al was already in Dallas on what he was expecting to be a daytrip for business. He headed over to my house, and we anxiously waited to hear Steph’s progress.

We were hoping Steph would get as far as Waco, but the highways were already getting clogged with the millions fleeing the impending storm. She decided to head west towards Lexington and our aunt’s house instead. A trip that usually takes 1 ½ to 2 hours took 8.

Thursday morning, Steph headed north again. It took her another 8-9 hours to get to Dallas (this trip usually takes 3 ½ hours). By this time, I had left, travelling on business to Pittsburgh. But Al was at my house to welcome his family. He had gone shopping and stocked my pantry and fridge with all their favorite foods.

When I arrived home from the airport on Friday, it was so nice to come home to Stephanie in my kitchen and two precious little ones playing in my backyard! Steph and Al were very appreciative and thanked me for opening my home and apologized for the “invasion,” but I didn’t mind. I enjoy my home’s solitude and quiet, but sometimes it gets lonely.

Paige and Graham are talking so much now, and they sing! Paige especially enjoys singing. Al and I took them to the park near my house and took bread to feed the ducks nearby. On our way back, I was carrying Paige, and I started singing “Twinkle, twinkle little star.” She joined right in with her sweet high voice.

Graham is still a charmer. He has a devilishly handsome grin, and he gave me lots of kisses. He enjoyed strumming Grandad’s guitar (he calls it “pittar"). Paige is slower to warm to people, but my heart soared when she scooted her body to lean against me as we were watching Dora. And on Saturday, when we went to the mall for lunch, she called out my name and grabbed my hand.

Now my house is quiet again. I am putting things back in their proper place (my house wasn’t exactly toddler-proof), although I still haven’t found my tea cozy…

Another Successful Date

We had a great dinner last night! Steve picked me up at 7:00, and we went to a little Thai restaurant in Las Colinas. Another star for him: he likes spicy food! (For those of you who don't know, I LOVE spicy food.) We ordered two spicy dishes and some red wine and shared it all.

It was a nice, leisurely paced dinner. We were one of the last tables in the restaurant, but we just talked and talked.

Afterwards, we went to a pub on the way back to my house and played darts. Neither of us is very good, but we each got a bullseye once.

I haven't yet mentioned his hot-rod of a car: a new Chrysler minivan! It's his company car, and he gets to choose from a list of cars. He actually chose the minivan to purposefully scare off the many women in the Dallas area who are superficial and materialistic. I think it's hilarious! He said a lot of women ask a guy what they drive. I don't know enough about cars or care what a person drives. He says he loves building it up, "It's a brand-new, silver, nice interior..." then hits them with the bombshell "Chrysler minivan!!!"

Smiling

I've had such a lovely weekend. It all started last Thursday. I went to my local haunt for a drink and a salad (I think they offset each other) and ended up sitting at the bar next to this guy, Steve. He was getting his check and about to leave when we started talking, but he decided to stay. I was very impressed with him. He's intelligent, ambitious, CUTE, nice and worldly. He lived in Germany for 12 years, first as a teen and then working for his current company. He's 38, divorced with two kids, who live with their mom in New Mexico. We had a really great conversation, exchanged business cards and a great kiss.

He called me the next morning. So sweet! I had told him I was going to Waco to visit my grandma & great aunt on Friday and wouldn't be back until Saturday afternoon, and he asked if I would give him a call when I got back in town.

Grandma and I went to a concert. This was a make-up event for the opera that got cancelled this spring when the organization ran out of funds. The two lead opera singers performed several opera pieces and some Broadway ones. The baritone was much better suited to the opera. His pronounciation and style were just too proper for the Broadway songs. The soprano stole the show. She was so talented and hit so many high notes, making it all appear effortless.

I had a nice visit with Grandma and Sudie and just as I was leaving, my phone rang. It was Steve. You know, it's so rare to find someone who really likes you that you also really like. I was touched that he called, and we talked as I headed back to Dallas. We each had plans for the early evening (I had a friend's 40th birthday party and he had dinner plans with friends), but we agreed to meet up around 8:30 or so.

The party was fun, good food, conversation and lots of laughter. Steve called as promised at 8:00, but neither of us was ready to meet. We finally met up around 11:30 at a dance club. A friend of mine from the party went with me, and we all danced until the club closed at 2:00. It was such a blast. My hair was wet with sweat around my face from dancing so much. And I just remember laughing and smiling a lot.

I try to keep my blog G-rated for my myriad of readers which include my cousin and my dad. So some of you will have to read between the lines.

Steve came back to my house and we talked and kissed until 3:30 or 4. He's so sweet. This combination of being attracted to someone and also feeling so comfortable with them is new to me.

I made him breakfast this morning. He calls when he says he will and did again this afternoon. We had originally planned to go cycling (he's into mountain biking!), but both of us were tired from lack of sleep. But he said he still wanted to see me, if I wanted, and he came over and watched a football game with me, and I made a simple dinner. He was very complimentary.

Other great things:
He likes my cat Sabrina. And she likes him.
He's learning how to ride a motorcycle and was impressed with mine.
He said I have a European/English look about me. (I love that!)
He has told me several times how thankful he is to have met me.
He's been genuinely interested in learning about my family and looking at the pictures around my house.
He has several friends that have been in his life for 15 years or so.
He speaks very highly and respectfully about his dad.
We agree on our political leanings and basic spiritual beliefs.
While he was here for dinner, he killed a nasty cockroach that found it's way into my kitchen.
He's very open about his past and takes responsibility for his part in his marriage not working.
He's financially secure and owns two houses (one here and one in Virginia Beach).
Did I mention he's a great kisser?

I can't help smiling. This is fun. More to come! We have plans to have dinner on Tuesday.

Race Results

They finally posted the results. Jennifer's and my team, Viva Terlingua, named after her terrific, soulful dog that passed away last year, finished in 1 hour 54 minutes, placing 54 out of 86.

I'm Not Shy

I mentioned to some of my coworkers that I have a blog that is mostly read by family and friends and a few online blog-friends, and she was almost horrified. She couldn't believe I would be thrilled to get strangers' comments about what I wrote. She just saw it as an invasion of privacy or something. (Yes, I explained that blogs, being on the world wide web, are open to the online public.)

My sister Jennifer and I met a cute Irish guy at the race last weekend. He was one of the staff organizing and working the race, and we met him on Saturday when we dropped off our bikes and boat. He caught us trying to both squeeze into the one-person boat on dry land, and we all had a good laugh at what must have been an amusing sight. We spoke with him for a few minutes and learned he lives in the Austin area (figures...a much hipper town than Dallas) and is from northern Ireland. (And he wasn't wearing a wedding ring. I know, not a definite sign that someone's not married, but a good start.)

We saw him several times during the race, and I called out to him once, "Hey, Irish!" He smiled and cheered us on.

After we finished, I looked for him but didn't see him again. I really wanted to talk to him, so...I just sent an email to the race director through the race's website asking him for the guy's name or to forward my message to Irish Guy. Kinda crazy, and I realize in today's world of privacy concerns, the race director may think I'm a psycho-stalker-girl and not give me the info. But, what the hell? I figure it doesn't hurt to ask, and if he says no or doesn't pass the message along, I'm no worse off than I am now. And if he does pass the message along, maybe it will make Irish Guy smile at least.

The Proof is in the X-Ray

A couple years ago, I started having some pretty strange symptoms from my scoliosis. Every so often when I would stand up after sitting at my desk, my right hip would give out on me, and if I didn't catch myself, I would collapse to the floor. It wasn't exactly painful (except if I hit the floor or furniture on the way down), but it was very disconcerting.

I've known about my back being slightly off center since I was 13 or so. Remember those days in gym class where all the girls would have to stand around without their shirts and get checked for scoliosis? I usually went home with a note telling my parents they saw an irregularity. I was checked out by a doctor, but he said it wasn't serious.

About 10 years ago, I went to an orthopedist because my back was giving me a lot of pain (more than I had gotten accustomed to). He took x-rays, and for the first time, I could see where and how my spine went off course. The lumbar vertebrae curved to the right, and the cervical vertebrae curved to the left to compensate. The doctor told me my scoliosis was only 10-15 degrees off normal, not bad enough to require surgery but just something that would give me discomfort. Basically, he told me to live with it and to check in with him as I aged.

And so I just accepted the chronic lower back pain, and I often popped my neck by leaning my head to either side. It gave me some relief.

But two years ago, I decided to put my previous biases about chiropractors aside and give it a try. I met a petite chiropractor about my age at a local health fair, and she honestly answered my questions and addressed my concerns. And she gave me hope. She said she could help.

After only a few months, I was feeling so much better. I could sleep better because I wasn't in as much pain. I could sit in cars more comfortably. I could even turn my head without having to turn my whole torso to look over my shoulder. After a year, she took x-rays and compared them with my starting x-rays. The difference was noticeable. The vertebrae had moved, although they were still not completely in-line.

We took x-rays again today, two years since I began the therapy. The x-rays confirmed why I wasn't having as much pain and the reason for the increased mobility and flexibility. My back x-ray no longer shows any sign of curvature. It's unbelievable. She actually said "we've eliminated your scoliosis." I never thought that was possible! I never dreamed that high. I was just hoping for a reduction of pain, but I have gotten so many additional benefits. I feel so grateful to my doctor and that I found her.

W.A.R. II

Yesterday was my second Women's Adventure Race, and I'm happy to report I could tell a marked improvement in my performance!

It was held on a large YMCA camp ground west of Fort Worth. The drive was long, especially with the astronomical gas prices, but the venue was really gorgeous. Similar to last time, there was a run, bike, water event and another bike portion. But Jenn and I agreed the run should have been called a hike. There were very steep climbs that no one was running through. We did run on the straighter areas, though.

The bike section was so scenic through the woods. Jenn led most of the time, although we switched a couple times. The only slow part was the areas drenched in sand. You just cannot keep bike wheels turning through deep sand. We had to get off our bikes and walk them through that part, but otherwise, I didn't have to stop to catch my breath at all, unlike last time. It also helped that I got us CamelBacks to carry water and easily drink throughout the race.

The kayak that Jennifer mentioned in her recent post, Keep Austin Weird, was pretty small. We practiced the day before (on dry land) and figured we could get our butts in but would have to straddle the boat and keep our legs out. Once in the water, our legs were dragging us down and Jenn kept hitting my leg with her paddle. I jumped out, almost capsizing her, and grabbed the back of the boat and kicked. She said, "I can't see you, but I can hear you!" With her paddling and my flutter kick, we made it around the pond.

Then back on the bikes, and this time we didn't have to stop for the mystery events. The mystery events were pretty much all the same as the Austin race. I think we were both a little disappointed that there wasn't anything new, but I also felt more prepared, knowing what was coming.

All in all, it was a great day. Anthony's parents came out with his nephew Andrew and the kids, Anna & Colin. The day was overcast, which kept the heat down. I was exhausted afterwards (and didn't do much of anything the rest of the day), but I'm actually not too sore today. I feel ready for the next one!

A few pictures from last weekend

I didn't take many pictures last weekend, but below are a couple. Jenn kept me pretty busy preparing for this weekend's Women's Adventure Race.

Cutie Colin being silly at the breakfast table 

Anna enjoys a gelato treat after getting a vaccine 

Colin gulps down the chocolate gelato 

Missing you

Coming back from Austin this weekend, I am struck by how solitary and quiet my life is. Anna & Colin are so full of life and love, and I delight in being around them. But when I leave, there is such a huge hole in my heart. Their absence is more acute when I first leave.

Jennifer and Anna dropped me off at the airport. As I was waiting to board the plane, my phone rang. It was Anna saying, “I wish you could come back right now.” Me, too.

Rebuttal

So obviously I started a little political controversy here with my post about the government's response to the Katrina disaster. While there is the ability to leave anonymous messages on my blog, I think it's pretty cowardly for someone to leave two messages not just disagreeing with my opinion but making sweeping statements about "bleeding heart liberals." (Yes, "bleeding" is spelled with 2 E's, no A's.)

I actually am more middle of the road. On some things I agree with the left side and other time with the right. I absolutely agree with my anonymous slammer that people should be responsible for their own actions. But I also realize not everyone is starting from the same set of circumstances. I am thankful for all that I have, and I am happy to share with those who are less fortunate and working to get themselves out of their bad situation.

I am sickened by the thought of the elderly and children who have suffered the most from the hot weather and lack of water. They have DIED. I think those easily preventable deaths are unacceptable.

I hope that all of you readers, whether you agree or disagree that the government took its time in responding, I hope you will do what you can to help the people who have now lost EVERYTHING. Volunteer to help the refugees in your area, donate to Salvation Army or Red Cross.

My leisurely (?) Saturday

I'm in Austin this weekend. Not for rest and relaxation, but for lots of toddler watching and running-behind and exercise! My sister Jennifer and I are practicing for next weekend's adventure race, and since Jenn is in such awesome shape, I'm trying to prove that she won't have to wait for me as much as the last race.

It's so wonderful to be around Colin and Anna. Colin calls me "Eno-wee." All L's are pronounced with a W sound. It's very cute. Anna is four-years-old and so much her own person now. She has a great imagination and loves to play pretend with her stuffed animals and other toys.

Anna had to get a vaccination today, and once we got there, it turned out Colin needed a booster, too. Anna was so brave. I told her to take a deep breath and to blow it out hard when she felt the shot. By the time she blew it out, the shot was over. She didn't even say "Ow."

Unfortunately, Colin's wasn't so easy. He said "Ow, my arm!" alarmingly as he began to wail. Since mom had been nearest to him when the nurse gave him this terrible surprise, he reached out for Auntie Emily to save him. He quickly got over it once we got back to the waiting room and sat down to watch the fish in the fish tank. I rubbed his arm while he wasn't paying attention, hoping to spread the vaccine and reduce the soreness later.

Since I'm staying in Colin's room in the bed next to his crib, I didn't get a lot of sleep. He awoke screaming at 1 a.m. and woke up at 7:30 in the morning. I tried to sleep a bit longer, but I could hear both him and Anna anxiously awaiting my awakening.

Once Colin took his nap this afternoon, Jenn said, "Let's go!" We took a bike ride around the neighborhood to the lap pool with Anna in the bike trailer behind Jenn. Once at the pool, we swam a few laps, pushing Anna on a float and encouraging her to swim along side us.

Jenn made a beautiful, tasty dinner: salmon, eggplant, zucchini and sweet potatoes on the grill, and bruchetta made from homegrown, garden fresh tomatoes and basil. It's only 9 p.m. but I'm ready to go to bed. I just have to wait for Colin to fall asleep before I can sneak in there!

Aftermath Hell of Katrina

I'm just sick about the devastation in Louisiana and Mississippi and the unfathomable slowness of the federal government to respond. And I feel so helpless, watching and reading about the thousands of people who are suffering and dying.

Yesterday at work, a coworker shared that the Dallas Salvation Army was holding a one-day drive for supplies to then take to the ravaged area. He and I went to Sam's at lunch and filled two carts full of bottled water, diapers, canned food, and other needed items. Today, I've been hearing additional means of donating money, items, time and even housing. Several thousand refugees are being sent to the Dallas area.

As many others have blogged about and expressed on TV, WHY has it taken so long for the government to get there? How can you just let all those innocent people die? How can you value the life of someone a world away in Iraq or Indonesia to send immediate aid, but leave the people of your own country to descend into hell?

My other means of transportation

I ride a motorcycle. (A Suzuki SV 650) Now that it's finally starting to "cool off" in Texas (90s instead of 100s), I'm riding more often to work. Plus, with gas prices going through the roof, it makes more sense to ride than drive. I get MUCH better gas mileage on my bike.

It's interesting the reaction I get from friends and strangers when they learn I ride. Once, when I stopped at the grocery store on my way in to work, a couple of guys saw me from across the parking lot. One said to the other, "Dude! It's a chick on a bike!" I don't usually like being referred to as a baby chicken, but I still thought that was pretty cool.

At work, we've added several new people over the last few months (the hotter than hell months when I don't ride much), so coworkers are still learning this fact about me. Girls say, "you go, girl!" and guys say, "you ride a bike? wow..."

Contrary to my brother-in-law Anthony's belief, I didn't start riding because guys think it's cool when a girl rides. I actually didn't even realize that.

My dad had a Honda motorcycle when I was 10-12 years old, and I remember a couple of times he would pick me up from school on it. I loved waving goodbye to my friends, saying, "that's my dad!" and climbing on the back. He would take me riding through back country roads and sometimes let me sit in front of him and pretend to steer. I would wear the motorcycle helmet while I rode my bicycle around the neighborhood, pretending it was a motorcycle. (You can imagine the absurdity of this: this was before bicycle helmets were used.)

Later on, I dated a couple guys with bikes, too. One a Harley guy and one a sports biker. The latter knew how much I enjoyed riding with him and encouraged me to take the safety course and learn how to do it myself. I didn't think I would like it, but he kept badgering me until I agreed to try it.

I didn't like it...I LOVED it. That was the year I turned 30, so I joked that getting my first motorcycle was like my "midlife crisis" purchase.

I know my mom worries. She even asked me, "You don't go on highways, do you?" (This is pretty impossible to avoid since my company's building is on a service road of a highway.) My grandmother can't even stand me talking about it. She just starts going "Ohhhh....I don't like that you ride that thiiiiiing..." until I change the subject.

It makes you a much more defensive driver. You have to constantly watch the cars around you, because more often than not, they don't see you. I pretend I'm invisible to them, taking the responsibility of staying out of their way on myself. I do a lot of pulse-driving, similar to how my grandmother drives her car. But I do it to stay out of car's blindspots.

I'm not one of those riders that fly by you, engines screaming. I don't do wheelies (front wheel up) or stoppies (back wheel up). I stick to what I learned in the safety course: know your limits and know the limits of your bike, and don't go beyond them. And I wear protective gear: helmet, motorcycle boots, gloves and jacket that have kevlar. (One of my coworkers teases me that the boots look like "retard shoes." They're definitely not for fashion.)

It's exhilirating when you get a stretch of open road. Then there's nothing but you and the bike. I can tune out all the other thoughts in my head and just concentrate on riding. Even a few minutes of not multitasking is so refreshing.

My beautiful bike