All right in a sort of limited way for an off night*

I went to the dreaded mall yesterday with PD, my awesome co-worker to grab some dinner.  While there, I noticed this little boy standing in the middle of the food court all alone, crying and calling out for his mom.  All these people walked by and looked at him but did NOTHING to see if he was ok.

Seriously?  How do you not stop and see if he's ok???

So I walked over and started to talking to the kid, and oh, he was so heartbreakingly cute and I felt so bad for how scared he was.  He couldn't have been much older than 2, and he was so terrified, he could barely talk.  All he could say was he couldn't find his mom and he was scared.  I was trying to figure out if he knew his name or his mom's name and he just kept shaking his head no and not talking.   

Then, he put his hands up to be picked up, and said up and that he was scared and wanted his mommy and oy, completely broke my heart.  PD went to go find security, while I was standing there with the kid, and at this point FINALLY other people started coming up and asking if I had gone to get security, and really?  Why does it take someone doing something for other people to react?  It's a freaked out, crying kid who is obviously alone and scared.  It's not that hard to just stop and see if he's ok.  

So, security came and we couldn't get the kid to answer any questions to identify who he is, and then his mom comes running up, practically in tears, and he threw himself at her, and it all ended well and we went and got our dinner.  

But, it made me kind of sad that I was the first person to actually do something, when I know so many other people saw him standing there.  

**********

And now, completely switching gears.  The Chicago trip is full steam ahead.  I had already decided I was going to go even if I went alone, but then, my cousin who has yet to earn a nickname said she wanted to go, and Bug was on the fence and said she would possibly go if she could work it out with the hubbie and her work schedule.  

Sadly, Bug really couldn't work it out, but happily, the awesome cousin (who really NEEDS a nickname) is still coming and I bought the tickets today, and I'm so excited to go!  Is it my birthday yet??? 

*Paul Simon

Crazy insane, got no brain*

I find myself to be really boring lately.  I have a lot of stuff that I COULD talk about it.  But it's not the most prudent thing to do.  So instead, I talk about nothing.

However, L assures me I'm cuddly boring.  I'm not entirely sure what that means.  Thanks?  I guess?

But seriously, I am so boring, these are the only topics I could safely talk about, and seriously, who wants to hear about any of this?

• The terrible foot cramps my safety shoes are giving me. I finally got used to not wearing them all the time, and unfortunately have been living in them this week.  My feet are not fans.
• The run I had in the rain yesterday (that was actually a really awesome run, but not exactly exciting reading material)
• The cheeseburger I've been craving all week.  Oddly enough.
• The lack of sleep I've been getting this week.
• The irrational anger I am feeling towards a particular individual (who probably doesn't even know I'm feeling this way b/c it is SO IRRATIONAL!)
• Oscar's new intense hatred for rolling suitcases which is not the most convenient hatred to have in a hotel.

Ha! I tricked you into reading my boring post topics anyway!  

Also, I'm pretty sure I've gone insane this week, and it's only Tuesday.  Hope everyone else is having a slightly saner week than I am.

*Cypress Hill

It's nothing to cry about, cause we'll hold each other soon*

On Friday I had a couple of friends pass on some bad news.  A friend of mine from Richmond lost her husband suddenly Friday morning, another friend of mine told me some bad news about his dad, and another friend of mine had a miscarriage.  So, it was not the most auspicious start to the weekend.

But all the bad news DID give me the urge to see my family, so I made a quick trip home on Saturday morning (I know I had said no driving, but I really wanted to see them).  I drove my sister, JP, and Baby V to the airport at stupid early in the morning and then drove up to my mom and dad's.  

My dad was a little less enthusiastic about seeing me when I dragged him out of bed way earlier than he likes to wake up, to make him take me to breakfast.  In my defense, I had been awake for 3 hours at this point and I was hungry. AND to be honest, I waited a half hour longer than I really wanted to before waking him up.  So, I think I  was a good daughter.  :-)  

Later that night, I hung out with SH and went and saw Friends with Benefits which was surprisingly not as terrible as I was expecting.  I pretty much went in with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised.  I mean, obviously not film of the year or anything, but it had its moments.  Plus, I have a huge girl crush on Mila Kunis and I pretty much geek out over Woody Harrelson, so they made it worth my time.  :-)  Then, Sunday was spent with Bug catching up on everything that has happened in the last few months. 

So, started out kind of sad on Friday, but all in all, I had a really good weekend.  It was great catching up with my friends, and even greater not driving all over the state to see them.  

I sort of slacked on the whole running thing (skipped two of my runs...sigh), but this week should only be in the 90s.  I can totally handle running in that. 

If you're still reading, hope you had a good weekend!

*Death Cab for Cutie (they played "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" in Friends with Benefits.  Just Reminded me how much I love this sweet, creepy song)

Now I've come to my decision, and it's one of a painful kind*

I appear to be having my effect on electronic things again.

Our internet at the hotel has been broken for the past two nights, and the A/C at work isn't working right either.  Of the two issues, the A/C being down is the one that's really not making me happy right now.  Seeing how it's over 100 outside right now (I've been watching the temperature steadily climb in here all day.  Right now we're at 83).  Ugh. 

**********

On a positive note, I do have some fun plans for the weekend.  Two of my friends are driving out here to see me, instead of me visiting them, which is awesome.  Means I will be doing minimal driving this weekend and still getting to see friends.  I've been getting tired of always being the one to drive.  I need new friends either in the area, or that like to visit. 

**********

I'm supposed to run again today.  I may be lame and just run it on the dreadmill.  I'm not entirely sure I could breathe if I tried to run outside today.  But ugh, the treadmill kind of sucks my will to live.  I'm not sure which is worse. 

**********

And, on another random, sad note (it's too hot to think coherently), my Chicago trip may not happen anymore.  Which makes me sad.  I was going to go with JH, and now it looks like she's probably going to be moving that weekend instead.  So, I am trying to decide if I still want to go and just go by myself, or if I should say screw it, and not go at all. 

Because, dammit.  It's my birthday and do I really want to be traveling on my own?  During the day I'd have no issues, in fact, I'd have fun.  But I want to be able to go out and drink with someone on my birthday.  Meeting people at a bar on my own is not my strong point.  But, at the same time...it's my birthday dammit.  I really want to go! 

So, I have to decide this weekend what I'm going to do.  Sigh.  (Anyone else want to go to Chicago?)

*Jim Croce

Forget all the regrets that are bound to follow*

I was reading a blog today talking about participating in postcrossing.  They got a postcard today that said "Today, I'm going to tell my best friend I love him".  

And Gah!  Both of our reactions were NO!

Then, I thought more about it, and, yeah.  My reaction is still NO!  Don't do it!  Just no.  

My reasoning

• If he doesn't feel the same way, potentially ruined the friendship.
• If he DOES feel the same way, but it doesn't work out, potentially ruined the friendship.
• I'm a complete coward and don't think I'd have the guts to actually take a risk like this with someone that I'm THAT close with.  (It's one thing to make an ass of yourself in front of someone you don't know and never have to see again, or even someone that you're friends with but you could easily avoid if he rejects you.  It's completely different if this person is your best friend).  

HOWEVER, having said that, I can see how if he DOES feel the same way, but didn't have the guts to make the move, and it DOES work out.  Quite possibly the best thing you could have done in your life.  

So, for the 2 people that actually read and occasionally comment, what's YOUR opinion?  (I'm still strongly leaning no even with the potentially greatest thing comment.  I'm that big a coward.).  

**********

So, having not run a single step last week, I've managed to run twice so far this week.  I stopped at Liberty State Park (I think that's what it's called?) and ran about 2-ish miles yesterday on my way home from north Jersey.  I didn't wear my Garmin, so I'm going solely based on a guesstimate.

Then, I ran again today at the park after work.  Ugh it was so humid.  Breathing was a bit difficult and I got light headed when I stopped.  But, I finished.  All that matters.  Also, leave it to me to start my first week of training for the half marathon during a freaking heat wave.  Blargh.  

**********

Anybody got any new book recommendations?  I need some new ones.

*Chris Young

I broke my own heart*

I have a bunch of unrelated things:

I am so glad that last week is over.  I had to drive to Richmond on Wednesday evening for meetings on Thursday.  The trip took 10 hours because there was an accident on 95, so I got onto 301 and was doing great until I got to the Nice bridge (which is the most in-accurately named bridge ever) where a truck was hanging off the side of the bridge and the bridge was closed.  Apparently, the south doesn't believe in building many bridges, and I had to drive all the way back up to DC and get back on 95 and head back south to Richmond.  It added at least 4 hours to my drive.  I was so irritated.  THEN, the meeting I was supposed to attend got cancelled, so...basically the ENTIRE reason I had driven down was no longer there.  And, I had to drive back home to PA on Thursday evening so I could be 

back in the office early on Friday morning.  I was not a fan.

**********

I went and saw the last Harry Potter movie this weekend, and up until the last half hour, I thought they did a pretty good job (at least better than the first part of book 7).  But UGH to the last half hour.  I don't understand how you can take a great ending in a book and make a movie version that sucks.  It was such a disappointment.  Sigh.

**********

I didn't run a single day last week.  I can tell.

**********

I have some random book recommendations.  

Anything by John Green, especially Paper Towns. (He's actually a young adult author, but he's really good.  He also does my favorite youtube channel with Hank Green, the Vlogbrothers) 

The Strain and The Fall.  Both are by Guillermo del Torro (the guy that did Pan's Labyrinth) and Chuck Hogan.  There's also a third book in the series, but it hasn't come out yet, so not sure if I recommend it or not.

Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny

So, as I was putting this list together, I realized all of these books were actually suggested/loaned to me by Mike (except The Fall, but I read that b/c I loved The Strain so much, so it probably counts).  So, I guess this is maybe his recommendation list as well?  

**********

Yeah, I'm pretty boring lately.  Nothing super exciting going on in my life.  Hence the lack of posts lately.  

Hope everyone is a lot less boring than I am!

*Pissed Jeans

Oh Princess you make the party*

This past weekend we celebrated Little T's birthday.  She turned two last week, and can no longer be called Baby T.  Sniff.  My nieces and nephews are getting so big!!!

In honor of the occasion, she dressed up for us:

Super princess indeed.  The cuteness is killing me.

*Matt Nathanson

Meh

All day today I was looking forward to running.  Literally. ALL DAY.

Then, ten minutes before I'm getting ready to leave, torrential downpour and thunder and lightening.  You have got to be kidding me.  Now, I make some stupid decisions when it comes to running (as in, not eating enough before going, or ignoring fences blocking the trail, or running when it's 100 degrees outside), but even I'm not entirely dumb enough to run during lightening storms in the middle of the woods.

Luckily, I got back home and the rain hadn't reached the park yet, so, I squeezed in a quick 2 mile run (ha, apparently maybe I AM dumb enough to go running with pending lightening storms).  The rain and lightening held off until I reached my car.  So that was nice.  I really needed to run.  :-)

Sadly, I have nothing exciting to talk about.  So, that's all you get.

 

There's something good waitin' down this road*

I really dislike being hot.  I dislike sweating (and unfortunately, I am one easily sweaty person).  I dislike feeling dirty.  I pretty much just hate the heat.  Summer is my least favorite time of the year (seriously, as much as I bitch about being cold all the time, I'll take a snow storm any day over a heat wave).  

Having said all that, I randomly kind of enjoy running in the summer.  

Seriously, my brain got wired wrong at birth.  It is so...contradictory it doesn't even make sense.  

However, I love the lack of warm up required.  I start running and about 10 steps in, I'm already loose and limber, and by a quarter mile, I'm sweating up a storm and I feel like a well oiled machine.  (Ok, that sounds ridiculous, and it's not as pie in sky as I just made it sound, but it's the closest I can get to explaining it).  When I run in the winter, I usually feel stiff and tight and cold for at least a mile before I warm up enough to enjoy the run, and seriously, if you're only running 2-3 miles.  That's a ridiculously long time to feel cold.

So, yes.  I enjoy running in the heat.  

Having said that though, I am positively vampiric when it comes to the SUN and the heat.  I slather on SPF 50+ sunscreen (yeah, I don't care what they say about SPF not really counting past 30 or whatnot).  I run in shaded areas at all times.  I wear a hat and sunglasses (well, the hat is also partly for bug protection since I run in shaded areas, which tend to consist of woods).  Basically.  I look like an idiot.

Also, I apparently can't smile when I'm wearing this stuff or taking my picture.  Not entirely sure which one is preventing the smile.  Possibly both?  

And as a random embarrassing side note.  I went to the grocery store after running.  While in the wegmans, a little girl asked her daddy, "Is she SOAKING wet?" in a HOW CAN THIS BE kind of tone of voice.  Her poor dad was horrified and was like SHUSH!  So I was amused, and yet, very self conscious after that (I mentioned above how easily I sweat).  I looked down at my front and I looked ok, but what if I was SUPER sweaty on my back (or even worse, my butt???).  What if it looked like I peed my pants or something (the things I am concerned about).  

I'm hoping it was just the pattern of my shirt.  You can kind of see in the picture above that it's a fake camo type pattern, that does look like I've been rained on.  I'm gonna go with that.  Less embarrassing.  :-)

*Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers