They say when the student is ready, the teacher will appear

Sometimes you think you know who you are and what you want and then someone comes along who makes you change your mind. Someone who challenges you. Someone who makes you want to do more and be more. Someone who makes you start to want things you were afraid to want before. This is the story of my life. I've learned something from everyone I've met and all those interactions have changed me for the better.

Read in a magazine:

"...wander through the world with open eyes, dare to be vulnerable in the face of life's unpredictable twists and turns."

and 

"That woman is weird, but she does seem to be enjoying herself."

I went to Borders yesterday but left empty-handed. I need some new books, but I just couldn't find anything I was excited to read. I'm still in the middle of At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson and The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean, both of which are interesting but a bit like reading a textbook. I need a book I can get lost in for a while. Or something like that. Whatever it is I need, I'm sure it will find me. It always seems to work out that way.

Lyric of the moment: "I want to live life and never be cruel. And I want to live life and be good to you. I want to fly and never come down. And live my life and have friends around..."

I'll try (almost) anything once

I am curious about everything. Life is endlessly entertaining and infinitely interesting. I want to go everywhere and see everything. I'm all for epic adventures, but the little novelties of everyday life are neat too. Here are some of the things I tried this weekend...

*Walking instead of running. My friend Chris needed one more Winter Warriors workout to get enough points for the t-shirt, but he hurt his foot and can't run for a few weeks so he asked if I'd walk with him at the Friday night workout instead of running. I don't know if it was all the wind or if I'm just used to the faster pace of running, but I felt like I was barely moving. Walking can be relaxing at times, but as a form of transportation I much prefer running. If it was socially acceptable to show up wearing running clothes and looking more than a little sweaty, I would totally run everywhere.

*Guiness. I had a sip of Guiness at the Great Guiness Toast at Johnny's Irish Pub on Friday night. Some friends from running group invited me. Apparently it's the start of the St. Patrick's Day season. I didn't know that St. Patrick had a whole season and I'm not really into St. Patrick's Day since I don't drink, but I had a really good time. It's nice to feel like part of a group. Especially one as hilarious and fun as Eric, Sheila, Shooter and Joe. But sorry, Guiness. All beer tastes the same to me and you were no exception. We're not going to be friends.

*White Russian. I also had a sip of a white Russian, which tasted like a milkshake. A dangerous milkshake. The kind that would seek revenge from the inside out. One taste was definitely enough for me. I'm sticking to regular milkshakes.

*Water belt for running. I don't know what the technical term is but for all intents and purposes it's a fanny pack that holds a water bottle. Yes, I am now one of those people. I got tired of carrying the handheld water bottle, so I bought a carrier that straps around the waist and holds a water bottle in the back. I wore it for the first time on Saturday's 11 mile run and it was surprisingly comfortable, though I was wearing 3 layers of clothing so it remains to be seen how comfortable it is over just a t-shirt.

*Ninja soup. I don't know the actual name of this soup, which came from a Chinese restaurant in Penfield, but the real name couldn't be anywhere near as cool.

Lyric of the moment: "I'm a rambler, I'm a gambler, I'm a long ways from home. And if you don't like me well leave me alone. I'll eat when I'm hungry and I'll drink when I'm dry. And if moonshine don't kill me I'll live till I die..."

Where we used to live

So now I live alone. I've lived alone before but this is the first time I've lived alone in my own house. It's kind of nice and kind of weird at the same time. It's so quiet. And everything is in its right place. Which is how I like it. Except that I sort of miss the chaos of having other people (and Lucky) around.

I remember being happy when I bought the house all by myself. It was another one of the things I did to prove that I will always be ok, that I can take care of myself, that I don't need anyone else. But that's ridiculous. Everyone needs someone else. No man (or robot) is an island.

Life is funny in that you're simultaneously always alone and never alone. You're the only one who lives your individual life, but there are always other people around if you let them in.

People will come and go, their lives weaving in and out of mine. Waves of company and waves of solitude. Life is a crazy, hilarious, amazing journey. Wherever it goes and whoever it's with, I'm just happy to be part of it.

Lyric of the moment: "Maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul that love never lasts. And we've got to find other ways to make it alone, keep a straight face. And I've always lived like this, keeping a comfortable distance. And up until now I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness..."

When I grow up I want to be an unstoppable force

Three months from today I will start running and (hopefully) not stop until I have gone 26.2 miles. I can't really picture it yet. I can't picture myself as a marathoner. I don't know how I'm going to feel or if I'm going to be ready. I do know that it's going to hurt. But if I can get past that, it will be awesome. Seriously awesome.

I wonder what my life will be like in 3 months. My life now is significantly different than it was 3 months ago, so who knows what another 3 months will bring. I'm excited. And a little terrified. That's how I know I'm going in the right direction.

When I grow up, I want to be an unstoppable force.

Lyric of the moment: "Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there with open arms..."

To all my peeps on Valentine's Day

Dear friends,

However long we've known each other, I'm better for having met you. Thanks for everything. I hope we have many more adventures ahead of us.

With love, from Robot

Lyric of the moment: "However long I stay, I will always love you..."

The good life

It's been my favorite kind of week, filled with good friends, good runs and good times. Adventures included a Tuesday night hill workout in ridiculously cold weather, dinner with friends from running group, conversations with Dangers about anything and everything, dinner with my old roommates Jeff and Stephen, wearing my Superman t-shirt to work, Chipotle, chocolate covered strawberries (Thanks, Gram!), a 10 mile run with a few running buddies, dinner with my parents, going to see The Mechanic (I love Jason Statham), reading The Disappearing Spoon on my Kindle, a free indoor rowing lesson and hanging out with Mike.

Sometimes I even feel just like a real human.

Lyric of the moment: "Love is the answer at least for most of the questions in my heart, like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard? It's not always easy and sometimes life can be deceiving. I'll tell you one thing, it's so much better when we're together..."

Before & After

My bathroom is now completely finished and I am loving it!

Before....

with the weird half wall. I mean seriously, who would do that?

And after...

Full wall, new tiles, new paint, new block window. Good times.

Lyric of the moment: "Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is. Everything I do I do it big..." (because I listen to a lot of rap and pop in the shower)

Notes to self

Things to remember:

*No matter how long winter seems, spring will come eventually. Until then, just wear more layers.

*Mizuno ad I saw in a magazine: "I used to run with doubt. Now she can't keep up."

*Say yes, especially when your first reaction is no. The more open you are to life, the more awesomeness can get in.

*Sometimes it's not what you're doing but who you're with that matters. Something that would be almost  insufferable to take on alone can be a blast with the right company.

*Maybe it's ok to not be so in control all the time. Maybe it's good to just let go once in a while. Maybe it's like Seal said, "No we're never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy..."

*Do they still have PB&J night at Lux? Why haven't you gone to this yet? Seriously, peanut butter and jelly. Enough said.

*All signs point to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. I don't know how and I don't know when but this trip will happen.

*Find out when The Adjustment Bureau comes out. I saw the preview today and totally want to see it.

Lyric of the moment: "Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father, run for your children, for your sisters and brothers. Leave all your love and your longing behind. You can't carry it with you if you want to survive..."

I'm crossing my fingers that the best is yet to come

My new bathroom is awesome! It's not quite finished yet. I still have to paint the trim and clean everything, but it's such an improvement already. I never really planned on staying in this house very long, but I'm starting to rethink that. I have to admit I like it here.

All my life I wanted to do everything by myself, but I'm starting to rethink that too. I still want to be the captain of this ship, but it would be sweet to have a co-captain.

It would be nice to feel like part of a team. I always wanted my own gang, posse or motley crew.

I am loving Winter Warriors. So far I've accumulated enough points to get a keychain, water bottle and long sleeve t-shirt. It's pretty sweet.

On Monday I was introduced to one of the best things I have ever eaten: the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Crêpe from Simply Crêpes ("Peanut butter cream, chocolate fudge, bananas and vanilla ice cream, topped with our house made double chocolate sauce and whipped cream"). I would totally pick this as my last meal if I ever had to make such a choice.

Mike made me guacamole and quesadillas and brought over movies and dessert. The way to my heart is definitely through my stomach. I am smitten. Hopelessly, ridiculously smitten.

I don't know why but I get the feeling this year is going to be a good one. And I can't wait to see what happens.

Lyric of the moment: "Still it's a real good bet, the best is yet to come. The best is yet to come, and babe, won't that be fine..."