Short Blog...
You have morality. You have ethics. When you meet someone with morality or ethics that are questionable, do you still desire to hang out with this person? What if this person is wealthy? What if they are someone whose name is recognizable... Really, it could be anyone, pick a name, any name... Lance Armstrong, Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, Reese Witherspoon. Okay, with these people it might be a little bit easier to answer the question, but throw out any other name that is not so recognizable. What do you do? Are you "friends" with this person because of the saying "keep your friends close, your enemies closer.." do you hang with this person because they are "someone" and you think this will make you someone?
Or do you stay true to your morals and ethics and keep this person at a distance because they don't share in your same morals or ethics?
What do you do? I already know what I'd do!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Life is not always about the swim bike and run.... (but I still ROCKED THE W!)
This weekend was amazing! I spent it with friends on a hut trip. If you haven't been on one, you are missing out! Normally in Colorado, when someone says they are heading out on a hut trip, they go on one of the 10th Mountain Division huts located throughout the mountains of Colorado. You go with roughly 16 of your closest friends, park at a trailhead and back country ski to this hut which can sometimes be as far as 11 miles and thousands of feet of elevation away. You carry ALL of your own food, sleeping bag, clothes, etc. When you get to the hut, it's a rustic cabin with an outhouse, beds that sometimes double as your couch, wood burning stoves and a huge pot to melt water so you can have a drink! :) It's seriously some of the best times I've had with friends. Normally no cell phones, no wi fi, nothing that distracts you from the outdoors! No lights around for miles so you see every single star. Days filled with climbing to make some turns, laughing with friends, cooking over burners that can time out and just smiling!
Well, this hut was slightly different. :)
This hut was a McMansion Hut! It was the Trophy Hut of Trophy Huts! There were 22 of us and we parked at the trailhead by 10:30 because on this hut... we had someone transporting ALL of our food, alcohol and some of our packs to the hut! What??? Never had this before... feeling spoiled so far....
A few folks hiked in with snowshoes. Some used back country gear to hike in. A few of us skate skied in. Yes, skate skied! The owners of these series of huts groomed the 5K hike in for folks to skate ski in! SERIOUSLY!???? Yes... wow! So, it took no time at all and we made it to the hut in roughly 35 minutes!
We get up there and WHAM... there's a hot tub... WHAM... there's ELECTRICITY... WHAM there are indoor bathrooms WITH showers! Yes, showers! I said it, holy cow!
Our first day was spent sitting on the balcony/porch enjoying a blue sky day drinking margs and simply relaxing. Dinner was prepared by one group and it was the yummiest chili I've had in a long time! Later that night we played card games and drank some more and laughed. By 10:00 though everyone was exhausted and we wanted a full day of back country play!
Up by 7, breakfast made by another group and by 9:30 a group of 11 of us were snowshoeing up to Cascade Peak (or to look at Cascade Peak... whatever it was, it was beautiful!). it was roughly a 2.2 mile hike up the mountain to get to an overlook. One short stop for lunch and we finally made it. Check out the photos! What a view! True beauty for sure!
That night we had a dinner prepared by a man who knows his food and his wine! It was a spectacular spread of thai food with appetizers ranging from fresh vegetables to thai pizza! Red and white wine were flowing and everyone was in a good mood! Dessert was some chocolate truffles and some yummy Trader Joe's cookies (I wonder who brought those??) :). Finally... it was game time. I can't even begin to tell you what we played, but know this, I sucked at it! But I laughed so hard it was worth sucking at it!!! It was an advanced form of charades! I seriously sucked! But, like I said, it didn't matter and it was all about having fun!
This morning was my groups morning to make breakfast! It was chocolate, banana or blueberry filled pancakes! After some yummy morning grub, we packed up (sadly) and headed out! We'll be back for sure! In fact, I can't wait until the next time. It was wonderful to catch up with dear dear friends I've known for years... I'm truly blessed with amazing friends in my life. Life truly is good and I am truly blessed!
Check out the photos below!
Well, this hut was slightly different. :)
This hut was a McMansion Hut! It was the Trophy Hut of Trophy Huts! There were 22 of us and we parked at the trailhead by 10:30 because on this hut... we had someone transporting ALL of our food, alcohol and some of our packs to the hut! What??? Never had this before... feeling spoiled so far....
A few folks hiked in with snowshoes. Some used back country gear to hike in. A few of us skate skied in. Yes, skate skied! The owners of these series of huts groomed the 5K hike in for folks to skate ski in! SERIOUSLY!???? Yes... wow! So, it took no time at all and we made it to the hut in roughly 35 minutes!
We get up there and WHAM... there's a hot tub... WHAM... there's ELECTRICITY... WHAM there are indoor bathrooms WITH showers! Yes, showers! I said it, holy cow!
Our first day was spent sitting on the balcony/porch enjoying a blue sky day drinking margs and simply relaxing. Dinner was prepared by one group and it was the yummiest chili I've had in a long time! Later that night we played card games and drank some more and laughed. By 10:00 though everyone was exhausted and we wanted a full day of back country play!
Up by 7, breakfast made by another group and by 9:30 a group of 11 of us were snowshoeing up to Cascade Peak (or to look at Cascade Peak... whatever it was, it was beautiful!). it was roughly a 2.2 mile hike up the mountain to get to an overlook. One short stop for lunch and we finally made it. Check out the photos! What a view! True beauty for sure!
That night we had a dinner prepared by a man who knows his food and his wine! It was a spectacular spread of thai food with appetizers ranging from fresh vegetables to thai pizza! Red and white wine were flowing and everyone was in a good mood! Dessert was some chocolate truffles and some yummy Trader Joe's cookies (I wonder who brought those??) :). Finally... it was game time. I can't even begin to tell you what we played, but know this, I sucked at it! But I laughed so hard it was worth sucking at it!!! It was an advanced form of charades! I seriously sucked! But, like I said, it didn't matter and it was all about having fun!
This morning was my groups morning to make breakfast! It was chocolate, banana or blueberry filled pancakes! After some yummy morning grub, we packed up (sadly) and headed out! We'll be back for sure! In fact, I can't wait until the next time. It was wonderful to catch up with dear dear friends I've known for years... I'm truly blessed with amazing friends in my life. Life truly is good and I am truly blessed!
Check out the photos below!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
That moment....
For the past few months, I've been dealing with events that have caused me to look back and really reflect on things. These kind of things, you can't simply sweep them under the rug, you have to reflect. You have to learn something from everything or you are destined to repeat events and situations until you do. The universe watches you... it knows. You cannot hide. :)
Anyway... I went to Arizona to get away. I needed some breathing space from my day to day life. Dad was on the mend (THANK GOD!) and it was an easy and safe time to go. I had heaps of time in the car to reflect on the last few months, the good, the bad, the ugly, the pretty. I have learned to appreciate all of it, learn from it, and feel as though I'm now a better person for it all.
Since my last relationship ended, I wanted to find that moment... you know it... the moment when you hear the person's name or see a photo and don't immediately think "jackass" or you don't feel the pain, or you don't feel the disappointment and sadness. You just don't feel anything. I didn't know how long it would take. For my last relationship, it took me quite some time. Over a year (and well into this past relationship). Was it going to take that long for this one? Then, the other day, his name came up... and nothing. No pain. No sadness. No... just nothing. It made me so happy to feel this, this nothingness, that I almost wept with joy. It was my moment. And I'm so thankful for that moment. I hope it lasts!
We all learn from our daily lives. We take something from every interaction we have. Sometimes its the small things that are the biggest movers in our lives. Sometimes its the big catastrophic ones that propel us forward. This was all of the above and I'm a better person for it. I lived, I learned, I moved on. Thank you.
Anyway... I went to Arizona to get away. I needed some breathing space from my day to day life. Dad was on the mend (THANK GOD!) and it was an easy and safe time to go. I had heaps of time in the car to reflect on the last few months, the good, the bad, the ugly, the pretty. I have learned to appreciate all of it, learn from it, and feel as though I'm now a better person for it all.
Since my last relationship ended, I wanted to find that moment... you know it... the moment when you hear the person's name or see a photo and don't immediately think "jackass" or you don't feel the pain, or you don't feel the disappointment and sadness. You just don't feel anything. I didn't know how long it would take. For my last relationship, it took me quite some time. Over a year (and well into this past relationship). Was it going to take that long for this one? Then, the other day, his name came up... and nothing. No pain. No sadness. No... just nothing. It made me so happy to feel this, this nothingness, that I almost wept with joy. It was my moment. And I'm so thankful for that moment. I hope it lasts!
We all learn from our daily lives. We take something from every interaction we have. Sometimes its the small things that are the biggest movers in our lives. Sometimes its the big catastrophic ones that propel us forward. This was all of the above and I'm a better person for it. I lived, I learned, I moved on. Thank you.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Road Trip!
I love those two words... Road Trip. It can mean so many things. A time of adventure and fun, meeting new people, enjoying new places and just having a laugh or two. (as a side note, my dad is doing GREAT! I wouldn't have gone on this trip if he hadn't turned the corner! I even got to talk to him this week and he sounded the best he's ever sounded since being in the hospital... 100 days plus and counting... but soon, rehab and full time PT!! Whoop!!)
My trip started out this past Tuesday, as it turns out, Fat Tuesday! Bella and I set out from Boulder heading towards Tucson to pick up our good friend Branden. Prior to leaving Colorado, Bella and I stopped in Pueblo for a short run. It was so warm out, I ran in shorts and a long sleeve top. We ran through Roller Coaster, Skull Canyon, Free Ride and a few other trails. It was a great way to start out my Road Trip!
Our first stop along the way was in Albuquerque New Mexico and was lucky enough to stay with a Wattie Ink teammate's family (thank you Theils!). With a wonderful dinner in my belly, and amazing conversation, Bella and I were fast asleep! By morning, we were ready to go! We tried to start out the day with a run with Bubba, Joyce and Al's 120 pound yellow lab. As big as he is, he's just as goofy! We made it about 15 minutes out before we had to turn around! He wanted to chase everyone and everything! My shoulder was about to pop out, so we headed back and decided to hit the road!
Along the way, I saw a sign in New Mexico for a town called Truth or Consequences! SWEET. That town had a large State Park with Sand Dunes! Well, I hadn't been there before, so now was the time to check it out, and also get a good run in!
The run was spectacular and as you can see, hot enough to wear only a sports bra and shorts! Bella enjoyed running along the water so she could stop and drink along the way.
Afterwards I started my final trek to Tucson. It was an easy drive from TorC and we made it early enough to help prepare dinner!
My first day here was spent working out! Mountain Biking in Tucson Mountain Park. And yes... I got lost. It was okay though, I was biking, so it was super fun! Two hours and only one incident with the cacti!
My trip started out this past Tuesday, as it turns out, Fat Tuesday! Bella and I set out from Boulder heading towards Tucson to pick up our good friend Branden. Prior to leaving Colorado, Bella and I stopped in Pueblo for a short run. It was so warm out, I ran in shorts and a long sleeve top. We ran through Roller Coaster, Skull Canyon, Free Ride and a few other trails. It was a great way to start out my Road Trip!
Our first stop along the way was in Albuquerque New Mexico and was lucky enough to stay with a Wattie Ink teammate's family (thank you Theils!). With a wonderful dinner in my belly, and amazing conversation, Bella and I were fast asleep! By morning, we were ready to go! We tried to start out the day with a run with Bubba, Joyce and Al's 120 pound yellow lab. As big as he is, he's just as goofy! We made it about 15 minutes out before we had to turn around! He wanted to chase everyone and everything! My shoulder was about to pop out, so we headed back and decided to hit the road!
Along the way, I saw a sign in New Mexico for a town called Truth or Consequences! SWEET. That town had a large State Park with Sand Dunes! Well, I hadn't been there before, so now was the time to check it out, and also get a good run in!
The run was spectacular and as you can see, hot enough to wear only a sports bra and shorts! Bella enjoyed running along the water so she could stop and drink along the way.
Afterwards I started my final trek to Tucson. It was an easy drive from TorC and we made it early enough to help prepare dinner!
My first day here was spent working out! Mountain Biking in Tucson Mountain Park. And yes... I got lost. It was okay though, I was biking, so it was super fun! Two hours and only one incident with the cacti!
 |
| Respect the Cacti! |
 |
| Riding in Arizona |
After finding my way home again (thank you to our wonderful host Christine Jeffrey), and after a short break of Justin's Nut Butter with banana and honey on yummy Italian bread, we set off for the pool! Branden swam about a million yards... me, I was happy with 2050!! Warm weather, beautiful pool and great company makes it easy to get a workout in!
Our final workout of the day was in a gym... Thankful to have Jessi Stensland as my coach, I pulled up some Movement U and strength workouts on my phone and have at it! My core is sore, but in such a good way! YAY!
Anyway... all of this is simple a factual rendition of my trip... what really matters is this.... I haven't smiled this much in weeks. Granted it helps that Dad has turned the corner for sure! But seriously, the sunshine, the mountain biking, the people, the warmth... all amazing! Even Bella is happy (albeit tuckered out!). Life is good. Remember that. I joke about HTFU, but in all reality, life is pretty damn good for me... I'm truly blessed with amazing friends and family, health, well being, all the good stuff.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Birthdays... Days... and Life...
So, my birthday was last week. Wow, I'm truly blessed. The Friday before my birthday was spent with friends at this place called Oak on 14th. Really amazing place with some high end liquor! I didn't realize I could actually drink as much whiskey as I did! Luckily my friend Chad drove me home and since the alcohol was so high end, there was no hang over! Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating you drink lots of high end liquor, but if you must, go as high end as possible!
Anyway, that night was a blizzard for sure, but so many folks came out and enjoyed the evening with me. I got to hang with some great friends, made some new friends and even flirted a bit with some cute French guys!
Then on my actual birthday, a wednesday night, a wonderful group of friends met me out at a restaurant and we hung out and drank yummy margs all night. We had planned to go bowling, but we were having so much fun that we stayed at the bar. What was so spectacular was that everyone there were genuine wonderful loving friends. I felt so incredibly blessed to know each of these people and love each of them for many many reasons. I only wish I had more time to spend with them.
I started writing this a few days ago. At the time Pops was doing okay. He was progressing. Today he is struggling, still fighting hard, but struggling. His infections keep coming back. He beats back one, and another pops up... Everyone of my friends has sent him positive healing energy, love and prayers. It helps, I truly honestly believe that this positive energy, this power of prayer, has and is helping my Pops. I'm going to head out to NJ to see him and remind him how much he is loved by everyone.
I'm trying to stay positive about everything. I admit that it is really hard. Is it harder for you to stay positive or to think negatively. I surely don't like negative thoughts! They are damaging and painful. When those thoughts come up, we try to focus on the positive things in our life. There is always something that is positive. So, here is what I'm focusing on to stay positive:
1. Pops is a strong fighter;
2. I have the most wonderful and loving friends anyone can ask for;
3. My dog snuggles with me without question and loves me for me;
4. I'm healthy;
5. I'm genuinely lucky and happy;
6. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world;
7. I'm active;
8. I have amazing job prospects;
9. Life is genuinely good.
So, I focus on these simple things and that helps me smile throughout the day. What helps you smile? I'm curious? How do you keep things moving in a positive direction. How do you handle the negativity in your world?
Anyway, that night was a blizzard for sure, but so many folks came out and enjoyed the evening with me. I got to hang with some great friends, made some new friends and even flirted a bit with some cute French guys!
Then on my actual birthday, a wednesday night, a wonderful group of friends met me out at a restaurant and we hung out and drank yummy margs all night. We had planned to go bowling, but we were having so much fun that we stayed at the bar. What was so spectacular was that everyone there were genuine wonderful loving friends. I felt so incredibly blessed to know each of these people and love each of them for many many reasons. I only wish I had more time to spend with them.
I started writing this a few days ago. At the time Pops was doing okay. He was progressing. Today he is struggling, still fighting hard, but struggling. His infections keep coming back. He beats back one, and another pops up... Everyone of my friends has sent him positive healing energy, love and prayers. It helps, I truly honestly believe that this positive energy, this power of prayer, has and is helping my Pops. I'm going to head out to NJ to see him and remind him how much he is loved by everyone.
I'm trying to stay positive about everything. I admit that it is really hard. Is it harder for you to stay positive or to think negatively. I surely don't like negative thoughts! They are damaging and painful. When those thoughts come up, we try to focus on the positive things in our life. There is always something that is positive. So, here is what I'm focusing on to stay positive:
1. Pops is a strong fighter;
2. I have the most wonderful and loving friends anyone can ask for;
3. My dog snuggles with me without question and loves me for me;
4. I'm healthy;
5. I'm genuinely lucky and happy;
6. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world;
7. I'm active;
8. I have amazing job prospects;
9. Life is genuinely good.
So, I focus on these simple things and that helps me smile throughout the day. What helps you smile? I'm curious? How do you keep things moving in a positive direction. How do you handle the negativity in your world?
Monday, February 6, 2012
Too many things for one title...
There's so much going on. In two days, I will repeat my 29th birthday. Don't ask me how many times I'm repeating my birthday, I just am. :)
Dad had another surgery today. I haven't been posting or blogging about it because it's been too much for everyone, including my dad, and I just needed to let it all sit. Today was his 9th or 10th surgery. Yeah, I honestly don't know which it is... 9 or 10... what does it matter, we're hoping today was the last. 90 plus days in the hospital.... A few weeks ago he lost one of his legs below the knee... we had hoped that was it... but today he lost his other leg... My dad suffers from Type II diabetes. While he is not athletic and while he was a smoker and while he wasn't the guy who ate the healthiest, he wasn't your typical overweight over indulgent American. His father had Type II diabetes and yes, it is genetic (so you asshole, you know who you are, just because someone isn't all that healthy means he deserves Type II diabetes). He also had something called small blood vessel syndrome. I'm not 100% sure what that does, but it didn't help with his circulation... So, alas, he lost his legs.
The biggest issue will be to learn how to walk again. He wants to. He says he really wants to... he knows how much I would like for him to walk me down the aisle at my wedding (oh, yeah, I know I need to meet someone, but there are prospects)... Anyway, he's motivated. He has no choice. When you are in that situation you can do one of two things... you can wallow in self pity or you can do something, anything. He has chosen the latter approach. My dad is not one for self pity. I'm so unbelievably proud of my father. He is truly amazing!
But all this is good for us to know... it helps put life into perspective doesn't it. I've stopped caring about a lot of the little shit going on around me.
On the race side of things... I've narrowed down my races to 5 XTERRA races... I'm now just trying to figure out which road race I will do. Yeah... a road race... follow the little white line, follow the little white line... :) Why not! Should be good fun if I get to hang with some of my Wattie Ink crew! The most exciting news is that the ITU off road championships will be in the US this year! I'm super excited because I get an automatic slot since I qualified in 2010! It's in Pelham Alabama... I will hopefully get to see my friend Mark out there, and I'm excited to see most of my friends from the XTERRA World. AND... I get to wear my team USA Kit again!!! I know a lot of folks have worn it over and over again... but I haven't.
Training... well, that's not as managed as I would like. I get a workout in every day. I should swim more, but I haven't somehow motivated myself for that... but I'm getting there. My run is doing well and so is my bike.
Last Friday a group of friends met me out for drinks for my birthday... it was a blizzard (again) but they braved the storm and we all toasted our friendship (and my birthday). I am incredibly lucky!! My actual birthday is on Wednesday the 8th and a group of us are having dinner and then bowling! I can't wait! I haven't been bowling in forever, so this will be heaps of fun! Much better than last year for sure.....
My interview was incredible! I'm super excited about this company. They are smart, outgoing, ethical, and overall just good people. The company is pretty amazing too. It's been around forever and they really stand behind their principles. How could you NOT want to work for a company like that. I'm keeping everything crossed that I can. What an amazing company!!!
Maybe I'll swim 50m times however many years I am.... might not be enough for a good swim... but it will still be fun!
:-)
Dad had another surgery today. I haven't been posting or blogging about it because it's been too much for everyone, including my dad, and I just needed to let it all sit. Today was his 9th or 10th surgery. Yeah, I honestly don't know which it is... 9 or 10... what does it matter, we're hoping today was the last. 90 plus days in the hospital.... A few weeks ago he lost one of his legs below the knee... we had hoped that was it... but today he lost his other leg... My dad suffers from Type II diabetes. While he is not athletic and while he was a smoker and while he wasn't the guy who ate the healthiest, he wasn't your typical overweight over indulgent American. His father had Type II diabetes and yes, it is genetic (so you asshole, you know who you are, just because someone isn't all that healthy means he deserves Type II diabetes). He also had something called small blood vessel syndrome. I'm not 100% sure what that does, but it didn't help with his circulation... So, alas, he lost his legs.
The biggest issue will be to learn how to walk again. He wants to. He says he really wants to... he knows how much I would like for him to walk me down the aisle at my wedding (oh, yeah, I know I need to meet someone, but there are prospects)... Anyway, he's motivated. He has no choice. When you are in that situation you can do one of two things... you can wallow in self pity or you can do something, anything. He has chosen the latter approach. My dad is not one for self pity. I'm so unbelievably proud of my father. He is truly amazing!
But all this is good for us to know... it helps put life into perspective doesn't it. I've stopped caring about a lot of the little shit going on around me.
On the race side of things... I've narrowed down my races to 5 XTERRA races... I'm now just trying to figure out which road race I will do. Yeah... a road race... follow the little white line, follow the little white line... :) Why not! Should be good fun if I get to hang with some of my Wattie Ink crew! The most exciting news is that the ITU off road championships will be in the US this year! I'm super excited because I get an automatic slot since I qualified in 2010! It's in Pelham Alabama... I will hopefully get to see my friend Mark out there, and I'm excited to see most of my friends from the XTERRA World. AND... I get to wear my team USA Kit again!!! I know a lot of folks have worn it over and over again... but I haven't.
Training... well, that's not as managed as I would like. I get a workout in every day. I should swim more, but I haven't somehow motivated myself for that... but I'm getting there. My run is doing well and so is my bike.
Last Friday a group of friends met me out for drinks for my birthday... it was a blizzard (again) but they braved the storm and we all toasted our friendship (and my birthday). I am incredibly lucky!! My actual birthday is on Wednesday the 8th and a group of us are having dinner and then bowling! I can't wait! I haven't been bowling in forever, so this will be heaps of fun! Much better than last year for sure.....
My interview was incredible! I'm super excited about this company. They are smart, outgoing, ethical, and overall just good people. The company is pretty amazing too. It's been around forever and they really stand behind their principles. How could you NOT want to work for a company like that. I'm keeping everything crossed that I can. What an amazing company!!!
Maybe I'll swim 50m times however many years I am.... might not be enough for a good swim... but it will still be fun!
:-)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I love exciting news! Interview Skills?
don't you just love it when you get some exciting news? I got some last night. I missed a call (was with dad in the hospital and didn't want to take my attention from him). It was a call for an interview with a fantastic company! Well established (around for over 100 years) and from the people I've spoken to, an incredible working environment!! I'm beyond excited! I have a history with this company in a sense, so I know their story, but I plan to make finding out as much as possible in the next couple of days.
How do you prepare for an interview? What do you do? What do you look for when you interview people?
Your suggestions would be GRATEFULLY appreciated!
How do you prepare for an interview? What do you do? What do you look for when you interview people?
Your suggestions would be GRATEFULLY appreciated!