Disappeared for a little while; my bad. Been busy... so busy...
The last post was all about what I wanted to do in the new year. Well, the new year is one-quarter of the way over (already!!) and I haven't made any progress toward those goals. I'm sleeping less instead of more, I haven't worked on Book #2 at all, and I can't shut up about work (foreshadowing the rest of this post, btw).
In addition, I'm running less than I should be (which I'd like to blame on the weather as much as possible), I haven't been any more social than I was, and unless my money has been saving itself, that's not happening either.
So what has been going on?
Honestly, nothing.
Well, okay, not nothing, really. We switched our living room and bedroom around and now we have room to actually have people over and stay over (once we get an air mattress)! But... we don't really have time to have people over so... oops. Looks nice, though. (This is a sad update.)
Last month I ran another 5k (don't ask me my time) and Michele visited and that was a nice break. We got manicures and massages and ate until we wanted to die. It was a good time. My parents visited at the end of the month too and that was much needed. I've been a bit homesick and sometimes it's really nice when bits and pieces of home come to you, especially when you can't afford to go home yourself.
Our book came out! We want to take a corny picture of us holding it but we just haven't had the time. But you can buy it here or enter to win a copy here if you're at all interested.
Oh, and then there was that pesky mouse... which I hope is gone for good. But his presence did start a discussion about whether we want to get a cat. Named Reptar. I kid you not.
Other than those few things, March was a miserable, miserable, miserable month. (Here's the work chatter I promised. Ask me what I'm working on; we'll talk all day.) Half of it I spent fretting about sales conference—which was at the end of the month and at which I presented fifteen of my upcoming books—and it turned out to be not such a big deal. The first time I spoke at a conference, I was shaky and sweaty and terrified. This time, I went through all that nonsense a few days earlier and by the time the conference came around, I was either over it or too exhausted to care to be nervous.
I'm so tired. I need a vacation. But Matt has no vacation days, and why take a vacation when you can't spend it with the people you want to see the most?
I'm working my figurative balls off, day and night, most weekends, and now and then I come up for air to make a quick trip to the gym, Barnes & Noble, or Starbucks. Just last night, I worked until about 11, showered and watched an episode of American Pickers, and then Matt came home and I got in bed with my Kindle... and proceeded to read a submission I was reviewing until I fell asleep... with my Kindle in hand.
I have allowed my job to take over my life, and I'm not exactly thrilled about it. And I don't know how to get away from it. Although, I'm not sure if I want to? Or should? I can imagine it's not a good thing; however, if I hated my job, then I think I'd have a bigger problem. But I don't hate it; I enjoy a lot of what I do so work isn't always work, if that makes sense.
In fact, really great things keep happening at work that make it almost worth all the... work. For instance, I recently completed my very first two-book deal for the beginning books in a YA fantasy series. That's pretty freakin' awesome. And a book I acquired and will be out this August has sold Chinese, Spanish, and German translation rights. That's huge! For me, anyway. I don't really know how this type of stuff ranks with other people in the office (or people in general), but I'm happy with it.
So it's kind of like I'm stuck in this cycle: I whine and bitch and moan, but I keep doing it because it makes me happy. And then I whine some more. And then I drink a lot of wine. And then I'm happy. And then back to work... And then I nap. And then I wake up and panic and get back to work.
I think one of my problems is that I can't sit still; I can't... relax. I've been this way since I was sixteen. When I was no longer allowed to play sports, I got a job. And then I worked twenty or thirty hours a week in my junior and senior years of high school. And then in college I had three jobs. Plus I did some projects for the LOC on the side. And then at my first full-time job, I got freelance work from that job and other companies. And now I'm out here and there's so much to see and do and... I sit at home all night and work. Saturdays and Sundays, too. Most of the time it's unpaid.
It's like I can't shut it off.
I haven't been bored in years.
But I am exhausted.
However, I don't want to be forced out and about. I don't want anyone to try to make me feel bad or guilty about what I'm doing with my nights, weekends, etc. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone tries to get me to do something I don't want to do/don't have time for after I've already said no. Don't pressure me, or I'll never go anywhere with you again!
When it's time to take a break, I'll take it. But until then, let me be. And I'll eventually come back to reality and get back to living my life for something more than books and authors. I hope.
(This was an awkward entry. Apologies.)
April should be better, though. Despite a few doctor's appointments, this month I will be attending a Bayside show (!!!!!!!), getting a sixty-minute massage (booked it!), and celebrating nine years with Matt. Could be a good month. Should be a good month. Hopefully will be a good month.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Win a copy of my book!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Little Red Book of Kitchen Wisdom
by Nicole Frail
Giveaway ends May 02, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
That Typical Blog Post at the Beginning of the Year Where I List My Resolutions (Seriously, that's what this is.)
Eatin' some pretzels... watching the game (Go Packers!)... all alone for the first Sunday in months.
Matt's new schedule started with the new year, and neither of us are pleased. We've done it before—made the relationship work on less than twelve hours together a week—but I guess we thought we'd have a bit more time before we had to do it again. It'll take a little while to get used to, and I'm determined to make the best of it.
I haven't had this much time to myself in a long time. Sure, I have practically every weeknight, but having Saturday and Sunday this week allowed me to split my work and not kill myself to finish it all on Saturday. I was able to get to the gym both days and was even able to cook myself "real" dinners (followed recipes and everything!) both days, which never happens. If I can keep this up, it'll be easier to hit a few of my goals for the year.
Speaking of, I've had a few days to think about this, and "resolutions" include...
1. Run a 10k — I did the 5k last year, so I'd really like to double that distance. The only way to do that is to run consistently, regardless of weather. Luckily, the gym's only four blocks away and open late, so I can do something while I wait for the weather to warm up a bit. I was gifted a lot of gear for winter running for Christmas, so I do plan to put that to use—once it gets a bit above freezing and I don't need to worry about breaking my ankle on slush, ice, snow, etc. And, it goes without saying, that hopefully I can get in shape/lose more weight while pursuing this goal.
2. Work on Book #2 early and often — My biggest fear for anything with a deadline is that the deadline itself will sneak up on me. I want to avoid that, since this book requires way more writing and research than the first one I did with Matt. So I want to devote some time every Saturday for the next few months to this project, that way I can avoid panic mode altogether. I'm admittedly a procrastinator, and I'd like to break free from that label so I don't stress myself out and become a giant b-word come the fall.
3. Be a bit more social — I'm aware that my tendency to turn down weekend plans makes me come off a little bit antisocial. Which... I'd argue is not a good descriptor of me in recent years; I'll go to lunch or with coffee with most people any day. But when it's cold and dark, and when I have limited funds available, the only thing I want to do after work is go home and take a nap and relax. It's not because I don't want to spend time with those who ask; I just really like my Friday nights on my couch, with my blanket and a book, tea, or a movie. And I especially like to be home when Matt gets out of work, since we don't get to talk or see each other all day. But anyway—I want to try to to say no a little less this year. Saying yes, however, will depend on how much work I have to do that weekend and how much money is in my pocket...
4. Save money — This was impossible last year because we moved in February. The move, realtor fees, first/last month rent, security deposit, etc. all really took its toll on our accounts. This year, we're staying put. We're in this apartment until at least February 2015, so it's time to settle down and save a bit. As of today, I have three savings plans designed and so far, so good. We'll see if I can keep them up. Fingers crossed, because we really want to take a vacation!
5. Complete a first draft of FBNG — Even if it needs ten thousand rounds of revisions afterward, I really want to use this year to finish a full draft of the book I started for NaNoWriMo. I tend to not finish things that I start for myself—if there's no due date on it or it's not owned by a company, etc., I tend to just let it ride and eventually forget about it. I think, with Constance and Matt's encouragement, I should be able to at least glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel.
6. Stop talking about work so much — Unless specifically asked, I'd like to stop focusing on work outside of work as often as I do. I put in at least ten to twelve hours of unpaid overtime every single weekend; I constantly worry about deadlines; I can't fall asleep at night without thinking about what I need to do the next day. I need to try to separate work from my personal life a bit more. And the best way to start that, I think, is to talk less about work and more about... anything else. Sports, movies, music, books (that I'm not working on), the weather. Anything. I think talking about work less will help me think about it less which should lead to less stress and tension and, hopefully, fewer headaches.
Other things Matt and I want to do in 2014 include:
Matt's new schedule started with the new year, and neither of us are pleased. We've done it before—made the relationship work on less than twelve hours together a week—but I guess we thought we'd have a bit more time before we had to do it again. It'll take a little while to get used to, and I'm determined to make the best of it.
I haven't had this much time to myself in a long time. Sure, I have practically every weeknight, but having Saturday and Sunday this week allowed me to split my work and not kill myself to finish it all on Saturday. I was able to get to the gym both days and was even able to cook myself "real" dinners (followed recipes and everything!) both days, which never happens. If I can keep this up, it'll be easier to hit a few of my goals for the year.
Speaking of, I've had a few days to think about this, and "resolutions" include...
1. Run a 10k — I did the 5k last year, so I'd really like to double that distance. The only way to do that is to run consistently, regardless of weather. Luckily, the gym's only four blocks away and open late, so I can do something while I wait for the weather to warm up a bit. I was gifted a lot of gear for winter running for Christmas, so I do plan to put that to use—once it gets a bit above freezing and I don't need to worry about breaking my ankle on slush, ice, snow, etc. And, it goes without saying, that hopefully I can get in shape/lose more weight while pursuing this goal.
2. Work on Book #2 early and often — My biggest fear for anything with a deadline is that the deadline itself will sneak up on me. I want to avoid that, since this book requires way more writing and research than the first one I did with Matt. So I want to devote some time every Saturday for the next few months to this project, that way I can avoid panic mode altogether. I'm admittedly a procrastinator, and I'd like to break free from that label so I don't stress myself out and become a giant b-word come the fall.
3. Be a bit more social — I'm aware that my tendency to turn down weekend plans makes me come off a little bit antisocial. Which... I'd argue is not a good descriptor of me in recent years; I'll go to lunch or with coffee with most people any day. But when it's cold and dark, and when I have limited funds available, the only thing I want to do after work is go home and take a nap and relax. It's not because I don't want to spend time with those who ask; I just really like my Friday nights on my couch, with my blanket and a book, tea, or a movie. And I especially like to be home when Matt gets out of work, since we don't get to talk or see each other all day. But anyway—I want to try to to say no a little less this year. Saying yes, however, will depend on how much work I have to do that weekend and how much money is in my pocket...
4. Save money — This was impossible last year because we moved in February. The move, realtor fees, first/last month rent, security deposit, etc. all really took its toll on our accounts. This year, we're staying put. We're in this apartment until at least February 2015, so it's time to settle down and save a bit. As of today, I have three savings plans designed and so far, so good. We'll see if I can keep them up. Fingers crossed, because we really want to take a vacation!
5. Complete a first draft of FBNG — Even if it needs ten thousand rounds of revisions afterward, I really want to use this year to finish a full draft of the book I started for NaNoWriMo. I tend to not finish things that I start for myself—if there's no due date on it or it's not owned by a company, etc., I tend to just let it ride and eventually forget about it. I think, with Constance and Matt's encouragement, I should be able to at least glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel.
6. Stop talking about work so much — Unless specifically asked, I'd like to stop focusing on work outside of work as often as I do. I put in at least ten to twelve hours of unpaid overtime every single weekend; I constantly worry about deadlines; I can't fall asleep at night without thinking about what I need to do the next day. I need to try to separate work from my personal life a bit more. And the best way to start that, I think, is to talk less about work and more about... anything else. Sports, movies, music, books (that I'm not working on), the weather. Anything. I think talking about work less will help me think about it less which should lead to less stress and tension and, hopefully, fewer headaches.
Other things Matt and I want to do in 2014 include:
- Make an effort to go home more often (or convince our friends/family to come see us!!)
- Take a week-long vacation (even if it's only a stay-cation)
- Clean more (see also: stop making so many piles!!)
- Eat at new places (we've developed some favorites; it's time to branch out)
- Get healthy!
- Sleep more! (at normal hours, not nap times)
Dinner's almost ready (I used the crockpot Mom bought us for Christmas!) so I'm going to tend to that, finish watching the game, and, unfortunately, get to work. It's been an interesting Sunday, and I feel productive, so although it's been a little lonely, I can at least feel like the day hasn't been a waste. And I'll work really hard to make sure the upcoming Sundays are also not spent in a funk.
Happy new year! Good luck with your own resolutions!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
If I knew it'd be this way, I'd do it all again.
So quite a few really awesome things have happened since my last few posts. I don't want to be too long-winded, so I'll try to keep it short and sweet. I can't concentrate much anyway; construction right in front of my building makes it difficult to even hear the television. I included some photos and what not to try to break it up a bit.
Color Run
Went back to Michele's in Maryland and spent a night watching television, eating pizza, and drinking beer (ale, but whatever). Then got up the next morning and ran 2.5 miles. Not quite a 5k, but still impressive for me considering November was my least active month since March. It was a nice visit and I'm glad I went, though we did lose some time together due to the upcoming holiday season! Blah, retail. Either way, my shoes are still colorful—and at a recent trip to the gym, I busted through them. So I've officially worn them out, which means I get a new pair of running shoes this spring!! :)
Cowboys Game!
Despite below-freezing temperatures, a torturous windchill, and seats one row from the top of the stadium, Matt and I went to our first NFL game. And, again, despite all those factors, we had a really great time. Those tickets were easily one of the best gifts he's ever given me (ranked up there with my Kindle Fire and my Pandora bracelets). We spent $5 on hot chocolate, almost $20 on hot dogs, and $5 on a bottle of water that froze before halftime. We couldn't feel our feet or our hands and I'm pretty sure I had windburn on my cheeks. A win is a win and should always be celebrated, but a win against the Giants is definitely worth sitting in the freezing cold next to middle-aged men who lack the creativity to come up with a taunt better than "Romo is a homo." I yelled and cheered, but next time, I want to be extra obnoxious and wear my jersey and paint my face—as long as it's an early game next year instead of one in the dead of winter.
NaNoWriMo
As stated in my previous post, I signed up for National Novel Writing Month toward the end of October to get my butt in gear, creatively. The goal, through the website, was to write 50,000 words in November. I didn't reach that goal (November was such a horrible month for free time!), but I got closer than expected. With Constance's encouragement and Matt's helpful feedback between the last week of October and November 29, I managed to write 40,843 words. Which is approximately 41,000 words more than I've written in years so... I'm happy with it! After the holidays, I plan to pick it back up, but I'm not going to try to kill myself to hit numbers. I got fewer hours of sleep and only managed to work out twice the entire month because I put this task first, so if I pick it back up again, I'm going to need to balance it with the rest of my life—which will be a bigger challenge than meeting any word counts. I have no real plans for this; it's just nice to be creative now and then.
Dave's Wedding
The day NaNoWriMo ended was the same day Matt and I took to the road for Dave's wedding! We rented a car, enjoyed really great weather, and actually made it to the church with plenty of time to share. It was nice to see everyone and though we didn't do as much dancing as I'd hoped we would (or any, really), we had a pretty good time. In our almost nine years together, it was the first wedding we went to as a couple and I doubt it'll be the last. Hopefully more dancing at the next one!
The New York Times and The View
Work's been really great recently—other than an insane workload and some unforeseen sudden deadlines. The Fall 2013 season was the first of which I had books come out that I personally acquired, so I found myself watching sales figures, self-promoting (as can be seen on my Facebook) as often as possible, and bugging publicity for any and all updates. This is going to seem like a brag-fest, so my apologies ahead of time. Some highlights:
Kitchen Things was named one of 2013's Best Books to Get You Thinking About Food by AP, appeared on the New York Times website, and was called a "coffee-table must" by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Victorian Secrets was discussed on The Today Show, and author Sarah Chrisman has been interviewed for magazines and newspapers in various countries (including Italy and Australia) and was featured in the print and online editions of the New York Times. She also appeared on a short segment of The View in early December. I was able to go to ABC's studios with her publicist and we hung out in her dressing room and backstage during the taping. Experiences include: meeting Ryan from All My Children and chatting Whoopi up in the hallway. It was a great time and I'd definitely do it again. :)
Our book is available for pre-order!
Set for release in April 2014 (just in time for our nine-year anniversary!), you can get the book Matt and I put together (illustrated by Kerri) at Amazon, B&N, Walmart, and some place called Fish Pond. It's just a little quote book, so there's no real publicity or anything like that, but I still think you should buy a copy! We spent many of our Sundays in the park flipping through books, at B&N going through magazines, and on our couch, reviewing page after page and writing introductions. We're proud of this, and we can't wait for everyone to have a copy. :)
Book #2, for me at least
And since the kitchen book is wrapped up, I may as well report on a new development: I'll be writing The Little White Book of Wedding Planning Wisdom for publication in Spring 2015. I've never been married, but I was supposed to be in two weddings at one point! I pitched this book as a quote book to fit our series, but a few minutes later, it turned into something much more, so now in addition to quotes, lists, etc., there will be real advice and research and we'll see how it goes. I'm excited about this one, and I should learn quite a bit that will hopefully come in handy in the future...
Christmas plans
The tree's up, presents are wrapped, and it's only December 11! All that's left for me is stocking stuffers. And I'm pretty sure Matt did some shopping Monday night, so I may actually have gifts to open on Christmas day! We're heading home for a day or two, but plan to be back in the city for Christmas Eve since we both have work that day and the day after the holiday.
The next few Sunday/Monday combos are vital for us in terms of holiday preparation and just spending time together. Matt's schedule is changing after New Years, which means we're back to seeing each other maybe twelve hours a week (Monday and Tuesday nights). This is inconvenient for a variety of reasons (no more Super Bowl party, no more huge birthday celebration, significantly less time together, absolutely no time together in daylight hours... I can go on), and we're both incredibly unhappy about it. We'll see what happens. Not looking forward 2014 in that respect, but there's so much more to think about so... it'll be okay.
Color Run
Went back to Michele's in Maryland and spent a night watching television, eating pizza, and drinking beer (ale, but whatever). Then got up the next morning and ran 2.5 miles. Not quite a 5k, but still impressive for me considering November was my least active month since March. It was a nice visit and I'm glad I went, though we did lose some time together due to the upcoming holiday season! Blah, retail. Either way, my shoes are still colorful—and at a recent trip to the gym, I busted through them. So I've officially worn them out, which means I get a new pair of running shoes this spring!! :)
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| These used to be pink! |
Despite below-freezing temperatures, a torturous windchill, and seats one row from the top of the stadium, Matt and I went to our first NFL game. And, again, despite all those factors, we had a really great time. Those tickets were easily one of the best gifts he's ever given me (ranked up there with my Kindle Fire and my Pandora bracelets). We spent $5 on hot chocolate, almost $20 on hot dogs, and $5 on a bottle of water that froze before halftime. We couldn't feel our feet or our hands and I'm pretty sure I had windburn on my cheeks. A win is a win and should always be celebrated, but a win against the Giants is definitely worth sitting in the freezing cold next to middle-aged men who lack the creativity to come up with a taunt better than "Romo is a homo." I yelled and cheered, but next time, I want to be extra obnoxious and wear my jersey and paint my face—as long as it's an early game next year instead of one in the dead of winter.
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| Being an ass before the game. |
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| First Cowboys touchdown with 4:17 left in the first quarter! <3 04/17/05 |
NaNoWriMo
As stated in my previous post, I signed up for National Novel Writing Month toward the end of October to get my butt in gear, creatively. The goal, through the website, was to write 50,000 words in November. I didn't reach that goal (November was such a horrible month for free time!), but I got closer than expected. With Constance's encouragement and Matt's helpful feedback between the last week of October and November 29, I managed to write 40,843 words. Which is approximately 41,000 words more than I've written in years so... I'm happy with it! After the holidays, I plan to pick it back up, but I'm not going to try to kill myself to hit numbers. I got fewer hours of sleep and only managed to work out twice the entire month because I put this task first, so if I pick it back up again, I'm going to need to balance it with the rest of my life—which will be a bigger challenge than meeting any word counts. I have no real plans for this; it's just nice to be creative now and then.
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| Working title: Forgotten but Not Gone |
Dave's Wedding
The day NaNoWriMo ended was the same day Matt and I took to the road for Dave's wedding! We rented a car, enjoyed really great weather, and actually made it to the church with plenty of time to share. It was nice to see everyone and though we didn't do as much dancing as I'd hoped we would (or any, really), we had a pretty good time. In our almost nine years together, it was the first wedding we went to as a couple and I doubt it'll be the last. Hopefully more dancing at the next one!
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| Love <3 |
The New York Times and The View
Work's been really great recently—other than an insane workload and some unforeseen sudden deadlines. The Fall 2013 season was the first of which I had books come out that I personally acquired, so I found myself watching sales figures, self-promoting (as can be seen on my Facebook) as often as possible, and bugging publicity for any and all updates. This is going to seem like a brag-fest, so my apologies ahead of time. Some highlights:
Why Do Only People Get Abducted by Aliens? was named one of Kirkus's Most Anticipated Fall Debuts.
Left had favorable reviews and was blurbed by New York Times bestselling author Caroline Leavitt.
Kitchen Things was named one of 2013's Best Books to Get You Thinking About Food by AP, appeared on the New York Times website, and was called a "coffee-table must" by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Victorian Secrets was discussed on The Today Show, and author Sarah Chrisman has been interviewed for magazines and newspapers in various countries (including Italy and Australia) and was featured in the print and online editions of the New York Times. She also appeared on a short segment of The View in early December. I was able to go to ABC's studios with her publicist and we hung out in her dressing room and backstage during the taping. Experiences include: meeting Ryan from All My Children and chatting Whoopi up in the hallway. It was a great time and I'd definitely do it again. :)
Our book is available for pre-order!
 |
| Our book! |
Book #2, for me at least
And since the kitchen book is wrapped up, I may as well report on a new development: I'll be writing The Little White Book of Wedding Planning Wisdom for publication in Spring 2015. I've never been married, but I was supposed to be in two weddings at one point! I pitched this book as a quote book to fit our series, but a few minutes later, it turned into something much more, so now in addition to quotes, lists, etc., there will be real advice and research and we'll see how it goes. I'm excited about this one, and I should learn quite a bit that will hopefully come in handy in the future...
Christmas plans
The tree's up, presents are wrapped, and it's only December 11! All that's left for me is stocking stuffers. And I'm pretty sure Matt did some shopping Monday night, so I may actually have gifts to open on Christmas day! We're heading home for a day or two, but plan to be back in the city for Christmas Eve since we both have work that day and the day after the holiday.
The next few Sunday/Monday combos are vital for us in terms of holiday preparation and just spending time together. Matt's schedule is changing after New Years, which means we're back to seeing each other maybe twelve hours a week (Monday and Tuesday nights). This is inconvenient for a variety of reasons (no more Super Bowl party, no more huge birthday celebration, significantly less time together, absolutely no time together in daylight hours... I can go on), and we're both incredibly unhappy about it. We'll see what happens. Not looking forward 2014 in that respect, but there's so much more to think about so... it'll be okay.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
If I had a bucket list... (Or, that moment when I get all reflective after reaching a big goal)
It's that time of year again—tea time! (Or at least, it is this week. No telling when the summer weather will return... again.) I pulled our tea pot out for the first time since... since we moved in, maybe? I can't remember ever running when the whistle sounded in this apartment until tonight.
Making tea or this fake cappuccino stuff always reminds me of the ten or so months I lived alone in W-B. At that point, I actually poured the water into a ceramic tea pot and brought it out to my living room, where I'd sip on it for hours while I worked and felt... utterly lonely instead of independent and accomplished.
As I sip my "cappuccino" tonight, I don't feel lonely. I am independent and I am accomplished. As of this past Saturday, I've checked another item off my bucket list—a list that doesn't actually even exist. Something I just mentally add to from time to time when I decide there's absolutely something I have to do—something I won't settle until I do.
This Saturday, I ran my first official 5k! Paid, registered, got a bib, received an official time, and didn't walk a step (though I did have to stop dead in my tracks when a little girl toddled out in front of me...... and when I almost tossed my cookies at the end during a sprint to the finish line). I didn't do as well as I wanted to (40:37... meh. I've done 37 minutes by myself), but figuring in the trappings of a head cold, an unexpected hill, a few annoying kids on scooters on the trail, and not training to my full ability the week before (because I was psyching myself out and making myself feel sick/injured)... I did well. I finished, which was my real goal.
(Pics below.)
Making tea or this fake cappuccino stuff always reminds me of the ten or so months I lived alone in W-B. At that point, I actually poured the water into a ceramic tea pot and brought it out to my living room, where I'd sip on it for hours while I worked and felt... utterly lonely instead of independent and accomplished.
As I sip my "cappuccino" tonight, I don't feel lonely. I am independent and I am accomplished. As of this past Saturday, I've checked another item off my bucket list—a list that doesn't actually even exist. Something I just mentally add to from time to time when I decide there's absolutely something I have to do—something I won't settle until I do.
This Saturday, I ran my first official 5k! Paid, registered, got a bib, received an official time, and didn't walk a step (though I did have to stop dead in my tracks when a little girl toddled out in front of me...... and when I almost tossed my cookies at the end during a sprint to the finish line). I didn't do as well as I wanted to (40:37... meh. I've done 37 minutes by myself), but figuring in the trappings of a head cold, an unexpected hill, a few annoying kids on scooters on the trail, and not training to my full ability the week before (because I was psyching myself out and making myself feel sick/injured)... I did well. I finished, which was my real goal.
(Pics below.)
Huge thanks for Michele for motivating me the whole way, whether I actually comprehended what she was saying or not. Not sure if I would've stopped and walked for a bit if she hadn't been by my side the whole time. <3
And huge thanks to Matt for making me feel guilty for even considering skipping my runs from time to time and for getting up at 8 on a Saturday morning to hold our bags while we ran. <3 <3
Before April of this year, I hadn't been able to run a minute without feeling like my heart was going to explode. These days, running a mile is a "quickie" and two miles is a "short run." Though I did reach my goal of actually running and finishing this race, it definitely won't be my last! I want to continue running outside at least three times a week (minus this week, while I'm just focusing on being able to breathe through my nose... head cold...), then train in the gym when it gets too cold. I'm already registered for a Color Run with Michele in Baltimore in November, so I want to beat my last time during that race if possible. Then after that... something more? Maybe when spring rolls around, I'll try to add a few more miles to my longer runs. Michele's convinced I'll be doing half marathons with her any day now, but I'd rather take it a bit slower. No need to get ahead of myself! ;)
So yeah... another goal, checked off the list! As I was talking to Michele this weekend, I was telling her that every time I accomplish something "big" that I had set my mind to (whether I had gotten the idea years and years ago, or simply two weeks ago), I feel this overwhelming sense of satisfaction. I've done all the things (but one), that I said I wanted to do recently. I moved to the city; I got a job in publishing; I'm publishing my first book to be sold nationwide (though it's not the one I had in mind...); I'm in a healthy, committed relationship; and now, on a whim, I've trained for a 5k and then ran one. (And, in the process, I lost all the weight I put on since Matt and I moved out here!)
I'm absolutely not going to be cocky and say that I feel I can do anything I set my mind to, but I definitely feel good about it. And I know that if there's something I want bad enough, I possess the drive to go out there and do it or get it. I can't make excuses; there are no excuses. I'm not going to say that this works for everyone, but, in general, if there's something you want to do... gather your resources, get in the right frame of mind, and just do it. (Thanks, Nike!) But seriously. Most of the time (though not all of the time), the only person holding you back is you. The only person who has ever held me back from anything I've wanted to do is me—regardless of who or what may have been influencing me at that moment, I'm the one who has made the decisions to give up, put things off, or simply go for it. I've known that for some time, but every time I check something off my "list," it's proof that I can focus and achieve the goals I set.
So with that, I'm on to another one...Yeah, I want to continue to run and race. Yeah, I want to lose more weight. Yeah, I want to get married, have a family, etc. But the next thing I'd really like to do is write the novel that's in me. I have the idea (I've had it since high school), but talking it over recently with a few people has really cemented it in my mind. So, Matt and my manuscript for our quote book is due on October 15. The following week, I'll commit at least one night a week to outlining, writing, or anything related to my ultimate goal. Don't know how long it'll take to finish, and I don't know what I'll do with it when it's done, but... if I want to be a writer... I suppose I should start writing again!
Dressed up for dinner at Matt's restaurant. I need a haircut!
Pre-race. Which one of us had more energy?
Pre-race friskiness. And I'm asleep. Because I haven't seen 8:00 on a Saturday morning in months.
Post-race. Someone's still energized...
... probably because my pace resulted in her almost walking those long legs for 3.11 miles
Results from the site!
Psst, 4/17 is Matt and my anniversary...
This is a bonus in the typical "Matt presses the button and neither of us are ready" fashion. You don't want to see the others. This is not our "official" annual Cowboys photo of the year. That's still to come. Stay tuned.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The Night My Boyfriend was "Arrested"
Disclaimer: Not that I ever lie about anything I post, but I just want it to be known that this is all true. This really happened last night, and now we can laugh about it, but last night, we were understandably troubled.
I don't even know where to start.
Oh ... yes.
So ... around 1:30 a.m., as I'm falling asleep after spending about an hour trying to beat the same level of Plants vs. Zombies 2, I get a phone call from Matt, who I had assumed was either still working or was on the bus home by then.
"You'll never believe what just happened to me," he says, disbelief in his voice.
"Please tell me you didn't get mugged," I reply, panic in mine. I'm already envisioning him stuck on the Lower East Side, without his wallet.
"I was just handcuffed and put in the back of a police car."
I sit straight up in bed, no longer sleepy at all, and exclaim, "What?!"
So he proceeds to tell me the following story:
He'd just gotten out of work and had stopped for two slices of pizza and a bottle of Snapple at a place near the restaurant. Then he went to the bus stop, where he ate one slice of pizza and started on the next. It was chilly, so he had his hood up, and he noticed that cop cars kept passing him, slowing down, and then driving away. He thought it was weird, but that was about it.
Then an unmarked police car comes around the corner and three cops get out and approach him. They tell him to put the pizza and the Snapple down—which he does—and then they ask where he was coming from. He tells them he works up the street and his shift just ended. They ask what he has on him. He tells them he has his phone, his wallet, and maybe a pair of headphones. (Probably mine, for the record.) They pat him down and tell him he matches the description of a guy who just got in a fight with another guy, broke the guy's arm, and then ripped off a cab driver. Matt tells them he didn't do anything wrong, but they cuff him anyway and put him in the back of the cop car.
They drive him to the guy who was attacked, who is seated on a curb (where we guess they left him?) a few blocks away, and the guy tells the cops that Matt's not the guy who broke his arm. So they uncuff him, sort of apologize, and let him walk away. Before he leaves, one cop asks, "Did you get your juice?"
So this is when Matt calls me, confused and in shock and somewhat lost because they drove him away from the only bus stop he knows in the area. He gets a cab and is home around 2:30. He comes into the bedroom, turns the lights on, and shows me his wrists, which still have cuff marks on them.
Apparently, from what we gather, a white male, about six feet tall, wearing a gray hoodie attacked this guy. And poor Matt, being a while male who is 6'1" and was wearing a dark green hoodie, was mistaken for him. Because they didn't tell him he was under arrest, and because they didn't read him his rights, he wasn't technically arrested, but I think this would count as... detained? Not quite sure.
Either way, what the f— would I have done if the victim had either identified Matt as the attacker or if he had gone to the hospital and the cops had taken Matt to the precinct instead? I know I'd be the phone call he got to make, but honestly, what could I have done? I don't know any of his coworkers' numbers, so I couldn't have called them and asked them to alibi him out. I couldn't have called the restaurant because it was closed. I couldn't have bailed him out (if it came to that) because we don't have that kind of money. He would've probably had to spend the night at the precinct.
Luckily, they just let him go (minus a piece of pizza, a Snapple, and a ride home—rude!) so we don't have to worry about that, but it got us talking about all the innocent people who are accused of committing crimes every day and who, for whatever reason, don't have alibis and are held for hours on end for having done nothing wrong. And that's kind of disturbing... To think that you could just be getting off work, enjoying a slice, and suddenly be in the back of a cop car, accused of hurting someone when you were no where near them.
I'd say "Only in NYC," but I doubt this is only a NYC thing. I'm sure it happens elsewhere, but I doubt it would've happened if we were still in W-B.
At the end of it all, I looked at him and I said, "I can't wait to tell people about this tomorrow."
And, of course, I was late for work this morning (because who can just fall asleep after that), and in my inbox was an email from my direct boss: "Why 9:30 this morning?" To this, I replied, "Oh, do I have a story for you." I went into his office, told him what happened, and he listened the whole time with his eyes wide and his jaw slack. "I've heard a lot of late excuses in my years, but this one takes the cake," he told me. I swore I didn't make it up, and he laughed it off and said he believed me. After all, who would make this up?
So yeah... Matt was "arrested" last night. Got to ride with his hands cuffed behind his back in a cop car. And got ripped off a late-night snack and beverage. I think NYPD should apologize, personally. But I suppose they have bigger things to worry about... like shooting innocent pedestrians in Times Square!
Kristen, Jeff, and Christina: If you guys read this, we've decided not to tell your parents. They worry enough about him walking around that late by himself downtown. This won't help! lol.
—————
I don't even know where to start.
Oh ... yes.
So ... around 1:30 a.m., as I'm falling asleep after spending about an hour trying to beat the same level of Plants vs. Zombies 2, I get a phone call from Matt, who I had assumed was either still working or was on the bus home by then.
"You'll never believe what just happened to me," he says, disbelief in his voice.
"Please tell me you didn't get mugged," I reply, panic in mine. I'm already envisioning him stuck on the Lower East Side, without his wallet.
"I was just handcuffed and put in the back of a police car."
I sit straight up in bed, no longer sleepy at all, and exclaim, "What?!"
So he proceeds to tell me the following story:
He'd just gotten out of work and had stopped for two slices of pizza and a bottle of Snapple at a place near the restaurant. Then he went to the bus stop, where he ate one slice of pizza and started on the next. It was chilly, so he had his hood up, and he noticed that cop cars kept passing him, slowing down, and then driving away. He thought it was weird, but that was about it.
Then an unmarked police car comes around the corner and three cops get out and approach him. They tell him to put the pizza and the Snapple down—which he does—and then they ask where he was coming from. He tells them he works up the street and his shift just ended. They ask what he has on him. He tells them he has his phone, his wallet, and maybe a pair of headphones. (Probably mine, for the record.) They pat him down and tell him he matches the description of a guy who just got in a fight with another guy, broke the guy's arm, and then ripped off a cab driver. Matt tells them he didn't do anything wrong, but they cuff him anyway and put him in the back of the cop car.
They drive him to the guy who was attacked, who is seated on a curb (where we guess they left him?) a few blocks away, and the guy tells the cops that Matt's not the guy who broke his arm. So they uncuff him, sort of apologize, and let him walk away. Before he leaves, one cop asks, "Did you get your juice?"
So this is when Matt calls me, confused and in shock and somewhat lost because they drove him away from the only bus stop he knows in the area. He gets a cab and is home around 2:30. He comes into the bedroom, turns the lights on, and shows me his wrists, which still have cuff marks on them.
Apparently, from what we gather, a white male, about six feet tall, wearing a gray hoodie attacked this guy. And poor Matt, being a while male who is 6'1" and was wearing a dark green hoodie, was mistaken for him. Because they didn't tell him he was under arrest, and because they didn't read him his rights, he wasn't technically arrested, but I think this would count as... detained? Not quite sure.
Either way, what the f— would I have done if the victim had either identified Matt as the attacker or if he had gone to the hospital and the cops had taken Matt to the precinct instead? I know I'd be the phone call he got to make, but honestly, what could I have done? I don't know any of his coworkers' numbers, so I couldn't have called them and asked them to alibi him out. I couldn't have called the restaurant because it was closed. I couldn't have bailed him out (if it came to that) because we don't have that kind of money. He would've probably had to spend the night at the precinct.
Luckily, they just let him go (minus a piece of pizza, a Snapple, and a ride home—rude!) so we don't have to worry about that, but it got us talking about all the innocent people who are accused of committing crimes every day and who, for whatever reason, don't have alibis and are held for hours on end for having done nothing wrong. And that's kind of disturbing... To think that you could just be getting off work, enjoying a slice, and suddenly be in the back of a cop car, accused of hurting someone when you were no where near them.
I'd say "Only in NYC," but I doubt this is only a NYC thing. I'm sure it happens elsewhere, but I doubt it would've happened if we were still in W-B.
At the end of it all, I looked at him and I said, "I can't wait to tell people about this tomorrow."
And, of course, I was late for work this morning (because who can just fall asleep after that), and in my inbox was an email from my direct boss: "Why 9:30 this morning?" To this, I replied, "Oh, do I have a story for you." I went into his office, told him what happened, and he listened the whole time with his eyes wide and his jaw slack. "I've heard a lot of late excuses in my years, but this one takes the cake," he told me. I swore I didn't make it up, and he laughed it off and said he believed me. After all, who would make this up?
So yeah... Matt was "arrested" last night. Got to ride with his hands cuffed behind his back in a cop car. And got ripped off a late-night snack and beverage. I think NYPD should apologize, personally. But I suppose they have bigger things to worry about... like shooting innocent pedestrians in Times Square!
Kristen, Jeff, and Christina: If you guys read this, we've decided not to tell your parents. They worry enough about him walking around that late by himself downtown. This won't help! lol.
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