The Leslie Show

Off to do my Duty

I've got jury duty today (and, at a bare minimum, tomorrow).  I know it's the sort of thing that most people try to get out of, but I'm kind of a nerd and kind of excited to perform my civic duty.  Only I hope that if I get assigned to a trial it doesn't take too long.  School starts back up in eight days.

I've brought lots of reading material, as I've heard that this civic duty is incredibly boring.

5 Idiosyncrasies

Zounds!  I've been tapped to list 5 personal idiosyncrasies.  Idiosyncratic?  Me?  Well, only if you count:

   
1. I don't like to be touched when I'm eating. - Sensory overload.  If I've got food in my mouth, keep away.  It disturbs me on a very visceral level. 
   
2. Performing a rock song in front of a specific group of people is my default fantasy. - If I'm really into a song, I'll daydream that I'm performing it in front of my spouse, my co-workers, George Clooney, etc. The audience changes, but the main idea is always the same: I'm really impressing them.
   
3. I must draw a face in a fresh jar of peanut butter before I can eat from it. - Ok, this one's a little complex: It seems a long time ago my father started doing this. Face in the peanut butter. Can be as detailed or as simple as you like, but the minimum requirement is two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. It's something my whole family did growing up, and now I've got my whole family doing it! When I asked my mom how this madness started, she said "Your father figured it was a good way to leave a clue in case he was ever kidnapped. If you were somewhere and you happened to see a face in the peanut butter, you'd know he'd been there."  Did I mention that mental illness runs in my family?
   
4. I've dreamt I can fly so often that I sometimes forget (while awake) that I can't.  - I don't so much fly as hover around about a foot off the ground. When I take corners really fast I swing out a bit, as though I'm on a suspended swing. It's terrific fun. I can imagine exactly what it feels like right now. I've done it hundreds of times.
   
5. I am a voracious reader with a head like a sieve.  - Read everything.  Retain nothing.

OK, that's my five.

Kath, Scotty and Steve, you're  it.

We went to New York

Just got back from a week in New York.  It was a great trip, and  Duffergeek has done a great job of blogging our trip (start with August 19th).

Me?  I can't get no satisfaction today.  I am really out of it.  I joined Moms in Motion, a group that gets moms together to train for endurance events (and to socialize).  My friend Amy started a local group.  We're training to do the Seattle Half-Marathon.  I've done it before (in 2002).  I also did a marathon in Alaska.  A full one.  NEVER AGAIN!  I'm stickin' to halfs, baby.  13.1 miles is plenty for me.  Oh, I'm also walking it.  So don't wait up.

Anyway, we only did 4 miles today for our first training event.  But I am so out of shape that actually wiped me out!  SHEESH!  Massage school is a bit notorious, I have learned, for causing folks to drop their exercise routine and get fat.  Nice to know I'm not alone.  NOT nice to know that I've gained 12 pounds in 8 months.  :-(

I'm really tired and out of it today.  I think I just need a mental "blah" day to sit and recover from all my school and travel and whatnot.

So, go read Duffergeek's account of our last week.  I'm too tired.

The Blue Angels

Duffergeek is a huge fan of The Blue Angels.  He is also one hell of a photographer.  See his fabulous photos here.