The card game, not the alcoholic beverage. Mike's grandma came up with the idea of having a family gin tournament, guys versus girls. I had never played gin before, but it's pretty easy to pick up on. Basically you have 10 cards in your hand and you try to make sets of 3 or 4 of a kind or runs of 3 or more sequential cards in the same suit (for example, 3 sevens or Jack + Queen + King of spades). Each turn, you can either pick up the card your opponent discarded or pick up a new card from the face-down stockpile, then you discard a card (from your hand if you want to keep the new card or the one you just picked up if you don't want it). The object is to get gin, where all 10 of your cards can be made into sets or runs. You can "knock" whenever the sum of your leftover (non-matched up) cards is 10 or less. Then both players show their hands and add up the points scored. You score 20 points for getting gin, plus the sum of your opponents' leftover cards (face cards count as 10 points). If you knock, you score the difference in points between the sum of your opponent's leftover cards and your leftover cards. If you were the one to knock but your opponent has a lower sum of leftover cards than you do, your opponent gets 10 points plus the difference in the sum of both players' leftover cards. If neither player has gin, the person who didn't knock can play off the knocker's sets/runs to reduce his/her leftover pile (for example, if your opponent knocked and one of his sets is three Queens and you have a Queen in your leftover pile, you can play your Queen on his set of Queens, thereby reducing the sum of your leftover pile by 10 points).
I think I'm getting that right. It's easier to play the game than to describe it.
Euchre is still my favorite, but gin night was definitely a good time. And I hope I grow up to be the kind of octogenarian who's organizing card game nights.
Lyric of the moment: "I remember thinking, sometimes we walk, sometimes we run away. But no matter how fast we are running, somehow we keep, somehow we keep up with each other..." (Because we were in the car Valentine's night, driving to the movie theater and this happened:
Me: What are some of your favorite love songs? Like good ones, not cheesy ones. I like Dave Matthews' I'll Back You Up.
Mike: I don't know, Rump Shaker?
And then we both tried to remember the words to Rump Shaker and mostly failed.)
From Robot With Love
Monday, February 17, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Things that are awesome: Valentine's Day edition
I like to think of Valentine's Day, not as the commercialized, cheesy, materialistic, depressing day it's sometimes made out to be, but as a day celebrating love and dessert, which are two of my most favorite things. It's another day in your life that you can make into whatever you want it to be. Ignore it, spend it with your posse of awesome humans, get some sweet lovin', treat yo'self, you know, whatever tickles your fancy.
And now, things that are awesome:
*I love that while we're at work, Mozzie makes little sleeping forts for himself out of all the couch pillows.
*Robot socks! With the robot socks Mike gave me for Valentine's Day, I now have two pairs. I'm not much of a collector, but I think I may have to start. Robot socks for every day! And then we will take over the world! Just kidding. Maybe.
*Mike also got me a scarf with these little stones on it and the tag said they are "Rose Quartz. The stone of unconditional love and infinite peace. It brings deep inner healing and self love. It is calming, reassuring, and excellent for use in trauma or crisis. Rose quartz is known to draw love and relationships towards you and is an excellent stone for "mid-life crisis." It is known as a fine healer and sooths internalized pain." I was instantly curious. So stones have powers? Where do they come from? Who determined which stones had which powers? Which stones have the superpowers, like x-ray vision or telepathy? Is this like the placebo effect where it only works if you believe in it? If stones have so many powers, how come jewelry stores get robbed? You would think the army of super-powered gemstones inside would thwart any thieves.
*I stopped at the little coffee shop around the corner, ordered a hot apple cider that cost $3.25 and only had to pay $2. I tried to pay the $3.25 tab with a twenty dollar bill and the owner asked me if I had anything less than a twenty but I only had a bunch of twenties and 2 ones. The owner said he needed ones so he would take my 2 ones and call it even. "It's your lucky day," he said. Story of my life, dude.
*And of course, you! I hope you want to join my posse of awesome humans.
Lyric of the moment: "Baby you the whole package, plus you pay your taxes..." (because I really wish they made valentines out of these lyrics. I would send them to everyone I know.)
And now, things that are awesome:
*I love that while we're at work, Mozzie makes little sleeping forts for himself out of all the couch pillows.
*Robot socks! With the robot socks Mike gave me for Valentine's Day, I now have two pairs. I'm not much of a collector, but I think I may have to start. Robot socks for every day! And then we will take over the world! Just kidding. Maybe.
*Mike also got me a scarf with these little stones on it and the tag said they are "Rose Quartz. The stone of unconditional love and infinite peace. It brings deep inner healing and self love. It is calming, reassuring, and excellent for use in trauma or crisis. Rose quartz is known to draw love and relationships towards you and is an excellent stone for "mid-life crisis." It is known as a fine healer and sooths internalized pain." I was instantly curious. So stones have powers? Where do they come from? Who determined which stones had which powers? Which stones have the superpowers, like x-ray vision or telepathy? Is this like the placebo effect where it only works if you believe in it? If stones have so many powers, how come jewelry stores get robbed? You would think the army of super-powered gemstones inside would thwart any thieves.
*I stopped at the little coffee shop around the corner, ordered a hot apple cider that cost $3.25 and only had to pay $2. I tried to pay the $3.25 tab with a twenty dollar bill and the owner asked me if I had anything less than a twenty but I only had a bunch of twenties and 2 ones. The owner said he needed ones so he would take my 2 ones and call it even. "It's your lucky day," he said. Story of my life, dude.
*And of course, you! I hope you want to join my posse of awesome humans.
Lyric of the moment: "Baby you the whole package, plus you pay your taxes..." (because I really wish they made valentines out of these lyrics. I would send them to everyone I know.)
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Fortress of solitude
I've always been far more wallflower than social butterfly, but in the winter I come perilously close to the precipice of reclusiveness. I'm not antisocial; I love people (though I cannot say if the feelings are mutual). But sometimes my awkward/introvert/robot-ness holds me back. And I just really, really, really hate being cold. I have no problem getting up early to run in the cold and dark, but at night...inertia, man. A robot at rest under all the warm blankets is staying at rest until acted upon by some serious sunshine.
Someone once told me I'm "a loner who likes people," which is an apt description. I need both solitude and company. I love being at home but I also want to see and do everything else. I can be passably human in one-on-one or small group interactions, but I'm terrible at parties and large gatherings (though I do enjoy any party that promises excellent people watching, good music you can actually listen to without being jostled about and/or delicious dessert). My default assumption is that my presence anywhere offends rather than pleases. I don't know why. It's just the way I've always been.
It's also one of the things I most want to change about myself, because people are the best part of life. It doesn't matter what else you have if you don't have people to share it with.
I'm never going to be the life of the party and that's ok. I just don't want to be the death of it. I just want to know how to skip all the small talk and get to the place where I can have a bona fide going-on-fabulous-adventures, holding-hands-in-victory-across-finish-lines, jumping-out-of-airplanes* posse.
*I think I really need to skydiving again soon.
Lyric of the moment: "Oh my darlin' keep your head up, keep you heart strong, keep your mind set in your ways. 'Cause I'll always remember you the same. Oh eyes like wild flowers within demons of change..."
Someone once told me I'm "a loner who likes people," which is an apt description. I need both solitude and company. I love being at home but I also want to see and do everything else. I can be passably human in one-on-one or small group interactions, but I'm terrible at parties and large gatherings (though I do enjoy any party that promises excellent people watching, good music you can actually listen to without being jostled about and/or delicious dessert). My default assumption is that my presence anywhere offends rather than pleases. I don't know why. It's just the way I've always been.
It's also one of the things I most want to change about myself, because people are the best part of life. It doesn't matter what else you have if you don't have people to share it with.
I'm never going to be the life of the party and that's ok. I just don't want to be the death of it. I just want to know how to skip all the small talk and get to the place where I can have a bona fide going-on-fabulous-adventures, holding-hands-in-victory-across-finish-lines, jumping-out-of-airplanes* posse.
*I think I really need to skydiving again soon.
Lyric of the moment: "Oh my darlin' keep your head up, keep you heart strong, keep your mind set in your ways. 'Cause I'll always remember you the same. Oh eyes like wild flowers within demons of change..."
Saturday, February 1, 2014
2014 New Things #2: Cancun, Mexico
We spent the past week enjoying the exquisite weather in Cancun and I also got to do a few new things, including visiting the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza (which is one of the 7 new wonders of the world. It took a long, cramped bus ride to get there, but that's how it goes. Sometimes you have to endure a little discomfort on the way to the extraordinary things), seeing a cenote (underwater sinkhole), taking a boat tour of Isla Mujeres (I can now add 'where Ricky Martin lives' to the list of things I know), eating cactus (on its own it wouldn't be my favorite, but as it was served, a "cactus tower" of mozzarella, tomatoes and cactus, it was pretty good), driving a golf cart and chasing iguanas while Mike played nine holes, exploring an abandoned hotel by the beach and being asked by a man in an alley if I wanted to hold a baby tiger for $10 (I kind of regret not taking him up on his offer, because when else am I going to get a chance to hold a baby tiger, but it was altogether quite a shady enterprise. I mean, where did he get this tiger and what will happen to it when it's no longer a baby? I doubt anyone will pay him $10 to run away from/get mauled by a grown up tiger.)
I also got to run on the beach, swim and read to my heart's content. It was a very welcome break from the doldrums of winter.And I love how travel always infuses me with such a feeling of spaciousness: space in my head for new perspectives, space in my heart for ever-increasing gratitude and space in my soul for an infinity of future adventures.
Lyric of the moment: "Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be all right..." (because anywhere you can sit by the water and listen to Bob Marley is ok by me.)
Saturday, January 25, 2014
2014 Race #1: January Resolution Virtual Run
I always do this thing where, right before I'm about to embark on an awesome adventure, I get into this I'm-not-good-enough-funk. So I'll be psyched to get out of this depressingly cold weather for a week and then I'll psych myself out about how I'm too pasty and lumpy for warm weather clothes. It was really harshing my zen. I figured the fastest way out of the funk was some speed. So I signed up for a virtual 5K, Rocket Racing Production's January Resolution Run (which I picked because it had rocket in the name).
I cranked out a 22:34 5K on the treadmill in the middle of my 8 mile run this morning and called it a day. Funk alleviated. It felt good to run some faster miles, especially since I just got over some kind of respiratory infection that had been irritating and tiring the crap out of me for the past two weeks. It's not the same as running outside, but I have no motivation to do speed work in single digit temps, so the treadmill it is. Put on some music videos or any of the insane shows on Bravo and I actually kind of enjoy it.
And now off to the airport we go....
Lyric of the moment: "Not very pretty but we sure know how to run free..." (I think the real lyrics are "run things" but I like singing "run free" better.)
I cranked out a 22:34 5K on the treadmill in the middle of my 8 mile run this morning and called it a day. Funk alleviated. It felt good to run some faster miles, especially since I just got over some kind of respiratory infection that had been irritating and tiring the crap out of me for the past two weeks. It's not the same as running outside, but I have no motivation to do speed work in single digit temps, so the treadmill it is. Put on some music videos or any of the insane shows on Bravo and I actually kind of enjoy it.
And now off to the airport we go....
Lyric of the moment: "Not very pretty but we sure know how to run free..." (I think the real lyrics are "run things" but I like singing "run free" better.)
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Weird True Funny
I do so love WTF (weird, true, funny) things and, in that regard, 2014 is getting off to a good start.
One morning Bill came into my office and randomly gave me a ten dollar bill. That afternoon, he gave me a hoodie and sweatpants he bought at Wegmans. I wonder if I'm the first person whose boss has ever bought her sweatpants. Who is not, you know, like a professional athlete or sweatpants model.
I received a text message from a number I didn't recognize containing a picture of what appeared to be a bald guy flanked by two women in party dresses. I'm assuming this message was sent to me in error but I considered writing back way to go, dude! anyway.
I decided to stop eating like a 5 year old on a sugar high for a few days. But first I had to finish all the Twizzlers. In my defense, I was watching Warehouse 13 and I think season 2 was sponsored by Twizzlers because Myka was eating them in pretty much every episode (Aside from increasing my admittedly already high desire for Twizzlers, Warehouse 13 is a neat show. And I love that H.G. Wells is woman. And brilliant and endearing and slightly psycho). Anyway, I haven't eaten any dessert or candy in at least 5 days. And it's awful. I'm not craving sugar and I don't even really miss it, but I feel really tired for no reason and during my 10 mile run on Saturday, I felt out of breath even though I was going really slow. I thought giving up sugar was supposed to give me endless energy or superpowers or at the very least some Popeye-esque forearms. I don't know. Maybe I'm getting sick or maybe I really am a robot who runs on sugar. I will go another week or so sans the sweet stuff, but if I don't feel better, sugar and I are going to live happily ever after.
Nielsen is apparently very interested in paying me money for filling out surveys. They sent me a short survey and a five dollar bill in the mail, then called to thank me for filling out that survey and to tell me they're sending me another survey and $30. I like where this is going. It's about time TV paid me to watch it.
I saw a guy with two axes, among other things, tattooed on his face. At least I think they were axes. I didn't want to stare. Ok, I wanted to stare but I didn't want to get caught doing it. I totally wish there was a Pop Up Video for tattoos to inform me of interesting facts about the tattoo and why its owner decided to get it. Because I find people and their tattoos fascinating but it's probably against social convention to go up to some dude and ask why there's an axe on his face. Not that that would necessarily stop me. Get enough Diet Mountain Dew in me and you wouldn't be able to stop the questions coming out of my mouth.
Lyric of the moment: "We'll laugh until our ribs get tough. But that will never be enough..."
One morning Bill came into my office and randomly gave me a ten dollar bill. That afternoon, he gave me a hoodie and sweatpants he bought at Wegmans. I wonder if I'm the first person whose boss has ever bought her sweatpants. Who is not, you know, like a professional athlete or sweatpants model.
I received a text message from a number I didn't recognize containing a picture of what appeared to be a bald guy flanked by two women in party dresses. I'm assuming this message was sent to me in error but I considered writing back way to go, dude! anyway.
I decided to stop eating like a 5 year old on a sugar high for a few days. But first I had to finish all the Twizzlers. In my defense, I was watching Warehouse 13 and I think season 2 was sponsored by Twizzlers because Myka was eating them in pretty much every episode (Aside from increasing my admittedly already high desire for Twizzlers, Warehouse 13 is a neat show. And I love that H.G. Wells is woman. And brilliant and endearing and slightly psycho). Anyway, I haven't eaten any dessert or candy in at least 5 days. And it's awful. I'm not craving sugar and I don't even really miss it, but I feel really tired for no reason and during my 10 mile run on Saturday, I felt out of breath even though I was going really slow. I thought giving up sugar was supposed to give me endless energy or superpowers or at the very least some Popeye-esque forearms. I don't know. Maybe I'm getting sick or maybe I really am a robot who runs on sugar. I will go another week or so sans the sweet stuff, but if I don't feel better, sugar and I are going to live happily ever after.
Nielsen is apparently very interested in paying me money for filling out surveys. They sent me a short survey and a five dollar bill in the mail, then called to thank me for filling out that survey and to tell me they're sending me another survey and $30. I like where this is going. It's about time TV paid me to watch it.
I saw a guy with two axes, among other things, tattooed on his face. At least I think they were axes. I didn't want to stare. Ok, I wanted to stare but I didn't want to get caught doing it. I totally wish there was a Pop Up Video for tattoos to inform me of interesting facts about the tattoo and why its owner decided to get it. Because I find people and their tattoos fascinating but it's probably against social convention to go up to some dude and ask why there's an axe on his face. Not that that would necessarily stop me. Get enough Diet Mountain Dew in me and you wouldn't be able to stop the questions coming out of my mouth.
Lyric of the moment: "We'll laugh until our ribs get tough. But that will never be enough..."
Friday, January 3, 2014
2014 New Things #1: New Year's in NYC
My dad planned a family trip to New York City for New Year's to celebrate mom's 55th birthday in
December and TJ's 30th birthday in January. We walked around Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Little Italy (where a creepy guy in a fur coat who called himself "The Italian Bear" tried to entice us into his restaurant by telling us he had "a degree in pasta from Rochester University") and Chinatown (where Mom followed a Chinese lady into a sketchy, smelly basement to look at knock-off designer purses and I got yelled at in Chinese when I tried to leave said basement). Mom, Dad, Mike and I also went on a horse and carriage ride in Central Park, and it may have been our last chance to do so since the new mayor wants to shut it down for being inhumane (I don't know if the horses are mistreated or not, but I did appreciate the sign indicating that in lieu of tips passengers can clean up after the horses. That would be a crappy tip indeed.)
It was great to start off the new year in another city, but I'm glad I get to spend most of the other days this year in Rochester. And I'll definitely have to look into this "Rochester University" to see if I can get a degree in frozen yogurt with a minor in peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
Lyric of the moment: "Another year you made a promise. Another chance to turn it all around. And do not save this for tomorrow. Embrace the past and you can live for now..."
It was great to start off the new year in another city, but I'm glad I get to spend most of the other days this year in Rochester. And I'll definitely have to look into this "Rochester University" to see if I can get a degree in frozen yogurt with a minor in peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
Lyric of the moment: "Another year you made a promise. Another chance to turn it all around. And do not save this for tomorrow. Embrace the past and you can live for now..."
Friday, December 27, 2013
Said the captain, Make it so!
I can't remember how I realized this, but adding up my birth date (10+23+1981) equals 2014. So I can only assume that 2014 is going to be a pretty sweet year. That's probably not the way it works, but whatever. I'm the captain of this ship and I can make it so.
As part of my agenda for awesomeness in 2014, I have decided to do 20 new things and run 14 races. The more ridiculous, the better. Obviously. But there are no rules, other than to enjoy myself. Because the secret to awesomeness is not in being better, faster, stronger, happier (though those are often bonus side effects) but in finding the joy in every opportunity, in living with enthusiasm and love and hilarity.
In the past I haven't really enjoyed racing, which is a shame because I love running and racing is just running with a lot of other people. And snacks. The problem was with my attitude towards racing. So that's something I'm going to work on changing in 2014. The past races that I did enjoy were those where I was able to run the majority of the miles with a friend. So hopefully I can do more of that in 2014 as well.
The 20 new things is just an excuse I'm giving myself to spend money on cool shit I've always wanted to try. Within reason, of course. So rocket to the moon is probably out. Unless one of you owns a rocket and are willing to let me borrow it. I will bring you the most excellent, fantastically delicious cookies ever. After 32 years of extensiveresearch cookie-eating, the winner is the blueberry oatmeal cookie from Get Caked! It's probably because I just really like to say "Get Caked? Don't mind if I do." And then pretend I am eating the cookies for the antioxidants.
Lyric of the moment: "There'd be no distance that could hold us back. So this is the new year..."
As part of my agenda for awesomeness in 2014, I have decided to do 20 new things and run 14 races. The more ridiculous, the better. Obviously. But there are no rules, other than to enjoy myself. Because the secret to awesomeness is not in being better, faster, stronger, happier (though those are often bonus side effects) but in finding the joy in every opportunity, in living with enthusiasm and love and hilarity.
In the past I haven't really enjoyed racing, which is a shame because I love running and racing is just running with a lot of other people. And snacks. The problem was with my attitude towards racing. So that's something I'm going to work on changing in 2014. The past races that I did enjoy were those where I was able to run the majority of the miles with a friend. So hopefully I can do more of that in 2014 as well.
The 20 new things is just an excuse I'm giving myself to spend money on cool shit I've always wanted to try. Within reason, of course. So rocket to the moon is probably out. Unless one of you owns a rocket and are willing to let me borrow it. I will bring you the most excellent, fantastically delicious cookies ever. After 32 years of extensive
Lyric of the moment: "There'd be no distance that could hold us back. So this is the new year..."
Friday, December 20, 2013
The weekly strange and seriously awesome
Wednesday night I went to the hot chocolate run at MedVed and some Brooks representatives were there with gear for people to test. I understand that it's a marketing ploy. And a fancy one at that. It's like being a celebrity. You show up and people give you expensive things to wear. But I felt bad about borrowing a jacket, sweating all up in it, then giving it back. Especially one that I have no intention of ever purchasing. Don't get me wrong, it was a great jacket. High quality, versatile, lightweight, reflective - basically everything you'd want in a running jacket. But there is no way I'd ever spend $85 on an article of clothing that's only going to collect dirt and perspiration. I'd rather buy a $20 running jacket and have $65 to spend on races or other adventures. It's just a personal preference. I try to save money on things so I can spend money on experiences. (But if you want to offer me a fancy jacket to wear and enter me in a raffle for taking you up on it, I will happily oblige.) Some people are into their gear and their beer and that's cool. Me, I just want to run and drink hot chocolate.
And climb on things. Sadly, all my attempts to get Mozzie to play king of the mountain with me have failed. He much prefers his own game, where we come home and he's like look what I did today guys! I chewed up my leash and pulled all the dog poop bags out of the dispenser! You thought you were smart, hiding all the people things so I can't chew them. But I found some anyway! Isn't this the best game ever? I just have to laugh. It's like an episode of Pinky and The Brain. But Mozzie is The Brain.
As I was walking out of the pet store after having purchased a new leash, a woman across the street was waving her arms and yelling "M'am! M'am!" at me. Confused, I looked around like what's wrong, what's happening? Then she said "I really like your hat!"
When I arrived at work this morning, I found this on my desk:
Sometimes I think my life is the epitome of strange and hilarious and seriously awesome.
Lyric of the moment: "Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there with open arms and open eyes, yeah..."
And climb on things. Sadly, all my attempts to get Mozzie to play king of the mountain with me have failed. He much prefers his own game, where we come home and he's like look what I did today guys! I chewed up my leash and pulled all the dog poop bags out of the dispenser! You thought you were smart, hiding all the people things so I can't chew them. But I found some anyway! Isn't this the best game ever? I just have to laugh. It's like an episode of Pinky and The Brain. But Mozzie is The Brain.
As I was walking out of the pet store after having purchased a new leash, a woman across the street was waving her arms and yelling "M'am! M'am!" at me. Confused, I looked around like what's wrong, what's happening? Then she said "I really like your hat!"
When I arrived at work this morning, I found this on my desk:
Sometimes I think my life is the epitome of strange and hilarious and seriously awesome.
Lyric of the moment: "Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there with open arms and open eyes, yeah..."
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Hindsight
Someone had posted this picture and when I saw it, my first thought was "Oh my god Becky, look at her butt, it is sooo big!" And then I was like seriously, brain? Are you really Sir-Mix-A-Lotting me right now? I ran 15 miles and I just want to enjoy that for a bit. Plus I used up all my mental energy paying attention so I wouldn't fall. I'm too tired to pontificate on the proportions of my posterior.
I find it annoying that my first thoughts about pictures are still self-critical ones. I want to feel as excited and happy about the pictures as I do about my actual life. I rarely have negative thoughts during runs anymore. Or if I do, I shut that shit down fast and get back to enjoying the moment. But afterwards...I'm still working on that. Hindsight can be such a mean girl. (Hindsight, hah! Because we're talking about asses. It's classy up in here.)
I'm not sure why I even have those thoughts, since the truth is that I don't really care how I look. I don't know how other people would describe me but I'd rather be thought of as kind, adventurous, happy or funny than pretty. And I'm not competing with anyone else in looks or in life. Though I'll admit I was slightly jealous of all the awesome beardsicles some people were sporting at the race.
Reminders to self: Awesomeness comes in all shapes and sizes. And when you're out there having adventures and doing cool shit, it's impossible to look anything other than awesome.
Lyric of the moment: "Oh, it's a fragile thing this life we lead. If I think too much I can get overwhelmed by the grace. By which we live our lives with death over our shoulders. Want you to know that should I go, I always loved you..." (The Pearl Jam, man. It gets me every time.)
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