Bridge to Bridge

Time: 1:01:44
Pace per mile: 8:17

It's been 3 weeks, but I thought I should give some information about the Glide Bridge to Bridge race on October 1.

I did the B2B last year, but this year, I took on the long race - 12K. It was foggier this year than the picture perfect race last year. It IS San Francisco, afterall, so it's not like this weather was unexpected. I was in much better shape October 2005, and I started the race having no idea of my pace, and not being able to remember what running over 7 miles feels like. I ran the Wharf to Wharf in good form a couple of months ago... so what's another mile and a half, right? The truth is, if you are in semi-good running form, it's only the first 3 miles that can make or break you. After that, you could run for hours. (Not recommended.)

I always enjoy the company of other runners. It makes the time pass so quickly and allows for an enjoyable time. During the B2B I was playing cat and mouse with a girl who looked like a body builder. She would pass me, I would pass her, she would pass me, etc. It was kind of fun -- we realized half way through that we were generally pacing each other and it afforded a little, harmless competition. (I kept in mind that, even if I passed her for good, she could still kick my little ass at the end of the race if she wanted to.) We shared some small-talk, mostly about an upcoming long hill.

After the race I waited in the shuttle line with a guy and his two teenage daughters. Turns out he is in a classic rock band in the East Bay. His son is studying jazz at UOP, playing multiple instruments, so we talked a bit about rock bands, jazz and university music programs.

I have not yet convinced any of my friends to participate in these races with me, so I've been going alone, but having a great time anyway. It gets me up early, keeps me motivated and inspired before the rush of the work week begins.

Synchronicity

After a girls weekend in wine country, I've come home with a newly established sense of some of the things I want to get out of life. I am on a search for the missing puzzle pieces - the ones that I know exist and I'll know when I find them.

While away this weekend I read an article on "synchronicity"which is the idea that, when things are going as they should, the reality of the situation slows and you can see all of the correct decisions being made as well as see all aspects clearly from all different angles. The author quoted a Boston Celtic's basketball player who recollected some of the best games of this life; the game/team was in synchronicity, everything around him just made sense - he knew the players, where to throw the ball, who was coming at him and when to attempt the shot. The author was comparing this to business also - when no one needs to ask questions, when everyone just "gets it" and they work in synch with one another to accomplish a common goal.

There are a few things that I feel this way about, and others that I'm still searching for synchronicity in. For example - my job. Although my career path is frustrating, the last move I made was absolutely in synch with how I was feeling, and want I wanted to be involved with. Going to classes is also in synch with what I want to be doing in the future, and is where my interests lie right now.

However, sometimes there are things we choose to do that are so horribly out of synch with what we really want and really need; we know this (or at least have a sense of this) immediately. Why do we insist on doing them?

There are things and people that you tend to attach yourself to, knowing that you really shouldn't. Do we have the need to fall off track every once in awhile to remind ourselves that we are human? Truly, there is nothing better than bouncing back. I'm in a bouncing back stage... and I'm taking no prisoners.

NOT a secretary

It REALLY bothers me when someone calls me a secretary. I'm definitely NOT a secretary. My main job functions are not taking meeting minutes, answering phones, filing and ordering supplies. Yes, sometimes I do those things to stay organized, but that is NOT the main function of my job.

I would venture to say that secretaries don't exist anymore. They are no longer needed. We are moving out of a generation where the "boss" has a woman by his desk that types for him, phones for him, and takes meeting minutes in short hand (yes, I said "his" AND I said "woman"). No one goes to secretarial school, and no one learns short-hand anymore. Honestly, this may be a practice in some older business models, but some of the great men AND women in control have to be able to do many things for themselves. Besides, if you want something done right... you have to do it yourself.

Boards and Recipies

With my new job has come research. This makes me sooo happy, I can't even tell you. Right now I have two very interesting items of research sitting on my desk.

The first, By-laws of Not-for-Profit Corporation Form. Yes, I'm learning much about institutional board structure, not only in not-for-profits, but in university performing arts. YAY! (I know you are DYING with enthusiasm. I actually enjoy this stuff. Yes, I'm not kidding.)

The second very interesting thing I learned today was in preparation for an after concert reception for the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. I find it interesting that US American's don't have a holiday where the celebrate the spirits of those who have passed. We have Halloween, but we're not really celebrating anything, we just use it as an excuse to carve pumpkins, dress up skankily, and drink. (Also fun, but you get my drift.)

It isn't often you can interest me with cuisine (especially baking), but in conjunction with Dia de los Muertos, there is a Mexican pastry which is baked, eaten in celebration, and left on graves to feed those who have left this earth: Pan de Muerto, or Bread of the Dead. I love it when languages just tell you like it is. This also is something that US American English is not very good at. Look, this bread is for dead people! There is nothing wrong with calling it what it is! It also looks pretty yummy and easy to make.

Pan de Muerto, "Bread of the Dead"In celebration of Mexico's Day of the Dead, this bread is often shaped into skulls or round loaves with strips of dough rolled out and attached to resemble bones.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
5 to 5-1/2 cups flour
2 packages dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon whole anise seed
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs

In a saucepan over medium flame, heat the butter, milk and water until very warm but not boiling.
Meanwhile, measure out 1-1/2 cups flour and set the rest aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1-1/2 cups flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and sugar. Beat in the warm liquid until well combined. Add the eggs and beat in another 1 cup of flour. Continue adding more flour until dough is soft but not sticky. Knead on lightly floured board for ten minutes until smooth and elastic.
Lightly grease a bowl and place dough in it, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape into loaves resembling skulls, skeletons or round loaves with "bones" placed ornamentally around the top. Let these loaves rise for 1 hour.
Bake in a preheated 350 F degree oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and paint on glaze.

Glaze
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then apply to bread with a pastry brush.
If desired, sprinkle on colored sugar while glaze is still damp.

Sing-a-ding-ding

I contacted a PR woman today about joining her list of on-call carolers for the holiday season. She found me, and I'd initially told her I was busy with work and CP concerts and going to see my parents in Iowa. After looking at my bank account, I decided some extra funds wouldn't hurt. So, look for me at a holiday party or shopping mall near you. (Just kidding - I don't do shopping malls. I'm a music snob.)

I'm not a fan of the holidays, so at least I can profit from those who enjoy it.

(Did I say that outloud?)

Smells like teen spirit

Thank you, Saba, for the topic. I think I can write something to that...

SCENTS A LA MOI

The first perfume I ever bought was a black bottle with a bright pink liquid : Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth. I'd first had a whiff while opening one of those perfume ads in some pop magazine like Bop or Seventeen. I'm not sure it was the smell, or Debbie's sweet face smiling back at me, her fashionable hat, or perhaps the words:

The power seize the energy, coming up strong. The future only belongs to the future itself. In the future, it's electric youth.

Yes, I wanted to be a powerful person someday, and apparently so did Debbie. She's done well for herself after her teenage years- been on Broadway for over a decade now.

The second scent that ever bought was in the 8th grade, and I wore it for most of high school: Sunflowers. My high school boyfriend commented after our relationship that he was not able to get the scent out of his head and actually dated another girl just because she smelled like me... ahem... like Sunflowers. I had a altogether obsession with sunflowers for awhile; it was not just the smell, but I had sunflowers stuff: in my bedroom, in the bathroom. I was a sunflower type of girl back then. What happened?

In college I gained a bit more expensive taste for make-up and perfume; I moved my way out of Wal-Mart and found the department store make-up counter. I fell for Clinique, and of course, their signature fragrance, Happy. As I was visiting a friend at another college, I broke a very large bottle of Happy all over the dorm bathroom. I was devastated. This friend will always be reminded of her dorm bathroom when she comes in contact with the fresh scent of Happy because she could smell it months after. I bought another bottle a couple of years later and it is still in my cabinet at home.. 4 years old, 1/4 gone.. sometimes I wear it for nostalgia.

Upon college graduation, my parents' foreign exchange student from France gave me a bottle of Chanel Chance that his mother brought over from Paris. (It looks exactly the same as the bottle here, so I'm not sure why she brought it all the way over from Europe, but, oh well.) It was probably the nicest gift I've received from an 18-year-old Parisian boy... (?) Who said the French are mean? I like Chanel Chance, but I don't love it. It's a bit overpowering for my tastes.

Lately it's all about subtle scents for me. I like a little mist of something now and again, but don't travel the perfume route often. I enjoy throwing a lavender dryer sheet in the laundry with the unmentionables, using a scented shampoo or body wash, or spraying a water-based body mist in my hair. That's about it.

Other perfumes tried and failed: Vanilla Fields (smells like CoCo Puffs), Elizabeth Arden's Red Door (a bit "old"), Victoria's Secret's Pear Glace (smells like a Jolly Rancher)

SCENTS A LA HOMMES

There are colognes that remind me of the males in my life, of course. It's a good thing to associate them with a cologne scent rather than the smell of beer or sweat.

My high school boyfriend wore Polo - the stuff in the green bottle with the picture of a jockey on the front. I liked it - a lot. But, then again, I was 16 and hormonal. I think I just liked him. He could have worn anything.

My ex-German wore Lagerfeld, which suited him just fine because he's German and was in the military. Lagerfeld translates roughly to "Warehouse Field" which, if you are in the military, you can imagine what you are warehousing, furthermore why it is in a field... Honestly, men should only wear Lagerfeld if they are in a field, and unable to shower for a few days/weeks/whatever.

My dad went through a stage of wearing Brut. It's true. I wish he wouldn't have because this stuff stinks of old man. The women of the family bought him a bottle of something Abercrombie and Fitch 10 years ago, and he still has it in his medicine cabinet. He doesn't wear it. He also doens't wear Brut any longer - thank goodness.

I once had to have a conversation with a guy I was dating because he was wearing Joop!. My brother wore Joop! and I just can't make out with a guy who smells like my brother. Eehw!

Men's scents with associations:

CK One = every guy in high school, and half of the girls

Drakkar Noir = every guy in middle school, especially those going to the dance

Time consumption

Maybe you've been wondering where I've been, maybe not... the choice is yours.

I've been cleaning up one job and moving into another. Today was my first day at new job, which has an office very close to old job. Half of my day was spent hiding so no one from old job could see me. Seeing me in new job= wanting to ask me questions about old job. That is unacceptable.

Hmmm, other uses of time... I went to an impromptu BBQ on Friday evening, also had a night on the town on Saturday. I'm reading "Focus on Servant-Leadership" for my class, and watching the first season of "Grey's Anatomy."

Excuse the boring post. Have a lovely week! (I need a topic. If you would like to suggest one, please do. I'm in a writing rut.)

Article

I was featured in a neighborhood newspaper last week. ENJOY!

Crush

At least this crush tastes good and comes in a six-pack.

A friend recently blogged about all of the fun and excitement a crush can bring: the "what-ifs," the possible scenarios, the Google-stalking... It made me feel strange. I don't think crushing is fun at all; it's just plain mind-boggling. I'd rather if Crush were just a brand of soda and the other thing didn't exist.

The first reason I don't like to crush is Uncertainty - "Does he like me?" "Do I really like him?" "Is he really as great as I'm making him out to be?" I would like to be certain before having feelings for someone that there is some kind of potential. It seems the men I have crushed on in the past are always, unbeknownst to me, unavailable: unavailable emotionally, unavailable intellectually, or "unavailable" unavailable. As soon as I figure these things out, the crush needs to end quickly, which leads me to my next reason:

Mistrust. I don't trust my own judgment and I don't totally trust the person I am crushing on either. All people advertise themselves in the best light, so how can you trust that the person is really who they appear to be? It seems my Google-stalking is more out of fear that the person is not really who they say they are.

Reason #3: Waste of time. Why spend all of that time figuring someone out when there are other things that need to be done? After I am certain that the person is unavailable, I look at the crush as a big waste of time. I could have been spending time with my friends, or taking on a project, or any number of enjoyable activities. (like blogging ;))

My artistic side wants "love at first sight" or "lightning bolts" but, my realistic side knows that perhaps crushing first, then getting to know someone is probably more likely. But, I'm tired of crushing. Really, it's draining and not much fun at all. I think I'm going to stand in the water or by a light post and wait for that bolt. Oh shit, wait. There are no lightning storms in California.

Seasonal TO DO

My TO DO list is growing both at work and at home, but the rain is making me feel quite unmotivated. What does one do when one is unmotivated...? Make a TO DO list, of course!

I suppose this evening would be a good one to get the sweaters and tweed pants out of boxes. That's kind of exciting, isn't it? Every time I get out the fall clothes, I'm excited to find a few articles that I've completely forgotten about. Perhaps it will be something bought on sale at the end of the season that was never worn more than once... Perhaps I will find that my fall wardrobe is boring and dusty and will have to venture out to find something new.

Another Fall TO DO is baking something. I only bake twice a year and it's only one of three things: banana bread, pumpkin pie or chocolate chip cookies.

Next on the list is buying furnishings. I've been in my apartment for 3 months and I haven't bought anything for my room. There are still pictures on the floor, there are still items in boxes. It's time to move in.

I'm going to buy/ put together a Halloween costume this year and go to a fabulous party. Both costume and party are TBD. My costume will be creative and not slutty. Come on people, how many slutty nurses, slutty devils, slutty cats do we need at one party - LAME!

I'll admit -- I'm sad about the end of summer. Looking back, I wish I would have taken a more exotic vacation or read a romance novel or, you know, something really SUMMERY. Oh well. I DO love Fall. Fall is Fabulous; it's winter that I'm not altogether crazy about. I was in Target two weeks ago, and those evil red and green decorations were already starting to take over. It wasn't even October! The only thing I like about Christmas is performing, and by performing I DO NOT mean Christmas caroling. Last winter my gym started playing carols in the locker room and I immediately put in a complaint. They eventually went away and I was happy.

No time for God?

I received a flyer from a neighborhood apolistic church on my windshield this morning outside of work. The front of the flyer states, in bold lettering, "NO TIME FOR GOD?" The inside is choc-full-o-guilt. Enjoy!

THERE IS TIME FOR...
Working, Eating, Sleeping, Politics, Clubs, Sports, Fishing, The Beach, Alcohol, Drugs, Witchcraft, Playing, Drugs, Dancing, Immortality, Parties, AND MANY OTHER THINGS...

FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS TIME BUT FOR GOD THERE IS NOT TIME! WILL HE HAVE TIME FOR YOU?

When you need Him and need Him desperately will God have time for you? The bible says in Proverbs 1:24-29 "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, an no man regarded but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity: I will mock when your fear cometh: when your fear cometh as desolation and your destrution cometh as a whirlwind: when diestress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer: they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord."

THERE IS GREAT DANGER!

It is very dangerous to have time for everything, but no time for the most important thing in your life: SEEKING GOD.

The flyer goes on to explain in layman terms the meaning of the scripture, but I'm sure you get it. I honestly found it kind of funny and annoying at the same time. The back of the flyer gives the name and address for the church, information regarding service times, etc. and ends with an inviting, "ALL ARE WELCOME!"

God will not answer when people are in distress and anguish and furthermore, he will laugh at you. That's disappointing.

Oh, Old Testament! How frightning you are!

ENFP

I had to take the Jung Myers-Briggs test again for my Saturday class. My professor is a "certified" Jung Myers-Briggs proctor, so it MUST be right. (?) Right?

I'm supposedly an ENFP (now I'm a thinker and a perceiver)... Arg. I used to be an ENFJ but what I REALLY want to be is an ENTJ (a thinker and a judger).

An ENFP just seems a little "happy/slappy" for my tastes. I'm a feeler AND a perceiver - arg. Maybe this is why people have a hard time taking me seriously.

The ENFP supposedly hates order. I LOVE order, when I'm at work. Then again, I work with some of the most unorganized people ever (artists) so maybe my work ethic is just orderly in comparison.

When I am the artist, I find it good to have a mixture of both organization AND creativity - organized music scores and rehearsal management, but the ability to think creatively about the music, putting my own feelings and experiences into a performance to create a situation which ties me emotionally to melody, lyrics, etc.

I don't like to plan when I go on vacation; I don't like to do much of anything when I'm on vacation. Although, I still prefer to abide by airport and hotel schedules and HATE being late for shows - I just don't have an itinerary with a bunch of planned activities.

Of course it is all about percentages -- I'm off the charts an Extrovert and Intuitive, but it was a tie between Feeling-Thinking and Judging-Perceiving. So, I've decided the following:

I will never be an ENTP (that would just be too difficult)
At work, I'm an ENTJ (hard core)
When performing I'm an ENFJ (artists are VERY judgmental)
Most of the time, I'm an ENFP (fine, I can live with it)

It was a very good week

Last week was one of the best in a long time! Yes, I've had a great day here or there, but with all of the crap 2006 has brought on, I can't remember the last time there were 7 consecutive days of good happenings. It was non-stop from Sunday to Sunday but so much was accomplished that I am proud of. It was a balance of all of my favorite things rolled into one week: I kept my fitness goals, took on a new job, reconnected with good friends, went back to school and got the chance to express myself artistically.

Accomplishments from Sunday to Sunday:

22 miles run
1 Yoga class
1 Bridge to Bridge race in SF
2 Issues of "Runners" magazine read
1 2-week notice
1 New job
1 Lunch with a good friend
1 Day of fun with in SF with another friend
2 Concert rehearsals sung
2 Concerts sung
1 MA class attended