When someone so young passes her time on Earth, I think it hits every single person right smack in the heart with the fact.
That life is precious.
Even though Darcy was not my immediate friend, Colleen and her family were integral to my life since I first plopped down in Carlisle. Their steadfast and down-home hospitality, friendship, and support were unprecedented blessings after having grown up constantly on the move, and I've never lost my gratitude for how they have enriched my life.
And so I grieve hard, but simply, for the loss of Darcy.
Simply.
I simply cannot imagine how it must feel to lose your daughter.
I simply cannot imagine what is like to have your only sibling taken away from you.
And I simply cannot fathom losing your best friend, just as your adult lives were taking off and you were going in different directions with different ambitions.
Knowing that you would always have your best friends by your side--step by step--until the day was done.
And suddenly that day comes for one of you.
To Colleen, Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien, and the rest of the O'Brien family and Darcy's friends--many of whom are also my own best friends' younger sisters--
I am so, so sorry for your loss and I offer my deepest sympathy and love for you during this time.
You are in my thoughts and heart.
"And so we know we're all right;
life will come and life will go.
Still we feel it's all right
cause someone gets a letter to your soul.
When your whole life is on the tip of your tongue,
empty pages for the no longer young,
the apathy of time laughs in our face...
Each life has its place."
-IG, 'virginia woolf'
23.2.06
22.2.06
misc. wednesday
-I have developed a strange affinity for english breakfast tea with sugar and cream, thanks in part to my co-worker Margarete. A regular coffee drinker, I sometimes tried my hand at teas, but usually ended up feeling like a poser.
Either that, or I would just secretly want it to be coffee the whole time.
But with the english breakfast, I feel naturally satisfied. Not like a pretentious herbal tea drinker that I sometimes "want" to be after listening to Jewel (I do not listen to Jewel! I just mean, that feeling of thinking about Jewel and how it made you want to be all cute and sensitive) or when I see the Yoga Journal in the check-out line at Whole Foods. No, english breakfast tea skips all that secret confidence/inconfidence and just...does it for me. Of course, I get an afternoon coffee anyway.
But for the morning hours, I'm refined, classy, and British.
-Anne Taintor is brilliant.
-Also brilliant:
-Go see Emily Morrison in her new play--showing for the next two weeks!
-I am addicted to Sam Cooke's greatest hits album.
-5 fun things about last weekend:
1) out-of-town visitors
2) grey's anatomy/L-word party
3) "westwood!"
4) The Maids play, starring Linnea Wilson
5) laughing for 4 days straight
-This point does not have a point.
-Today's Compare and Contrast: burritos from different places
I was recently discussing with my good friend Molly H., how if she came to visit me in SF, that she would never be able to once again eat at Taco Bell. Of course, knowing Molly H., I should have expected that she would quickly stop me dead in my pretentious-SF tracks, which she did. Tracks, I must point out, that I didn't even know I was in and still don't think are part of my overall being...but that's not the point. The point is I live in SF and I thought, for a split second, that something I know as true and good about SF is better than something outside of SF, which has historically given SF a pretentious reputation it finds hard to shake, and which also pisses off my grandmother.
She says: "T-Bell cannot be compared to other Mexican places. There are different levels of Mexican food, and one cannot compare, say, a T-Bell with a Chipotle, just as one cannot compare a Chipotle with a decent sit-down Mexican restaurant." She continues to say that to do so would be to compare "apples and oranges."
At first this seems like an admirable point--simply admitting that they are all in different leagues and thus why create a headache for yourself?
And I agree that each one 'is what it is,' and to go into a T-Bell with Papalote-like expectations would be merely foolish, if not depressing.
But one must wonder--nay, SHOULD wonder--aren't they all shooting for the same Tex-Mex moon? And if so, is it really that ridiculous to suggest that a bean burrito from one sucks, when compared to one from another?
I guess the trick is not to compare at all.
And I guess I can do that if I throw all my principles out the window, toss my beliefs aside, and settle for mediocrity.
Or just get really drunk.
Either that, or I would just secretly want it to be coffee the whole time.
But with the english breakfast, I feel naturally satisfied. Not like a pretentious herbal tea drinker that I sometimes "want" to be after listening to Jewel (I do not listen to Jewel! I just mean, that feeling of thinking about Jewel and how it made you want to be all cute and sensitive) or when I see the Yoga Journal in the check-out line at Whole Foods. No, english breakfast tea skips all that secret confidence/inconfidence and just...does it for me. Of course, I get an afternoon coffee anyway.
But for the morning hours, I'm refined, classy, and British.
-Anne Taintor is brilliant.
-Also brilliant:
-Go see Emily Morrison in her new play--showing for the next two weeks!
-I am addicted to Sam Cooke's greatest hits album.
-5 fun things about last weekend:
1) out-of-town visitors
2) grey's anatomy/L-word party
3) "westwood!"
4) The Maids play, starring Linnea Wilson
5) laughing for 4 days straight
-This point does not have a point.
-Today's Compare and Contrast: burritos from different places
I was recently discussing with my good friend Molly H., how if she came to visit me in SF, that she would never be able to once again eat at Taco Bell. Of course, knowing Molly H., I should have expected that she would quickly stop me dead in my pretentious-SF tracks, which she did. Tracks, I must point out, that I didn't even know I was in and still don't think are part of my overall being...but that's not the point. The point is I live in SF and I thought, for a split second, that something I know as true and good about SF is better than something outside of SF, which has historically given SF a pretentious reputation it finds hard to shake, and which also pisses off my grandmother.
She says: "T-Bell cannot be compared to other Mexican places. There are different levels of Mexican food, and one cannot compare, say, a T-Bell with a Chipotle, just as one cannot compare a Chipotle with a decent sit-down Mexican restaurant." She continues to say that to do so would be to compare "apples and oranges."
At first this seems like an admirable point--simply admitting that they are all in different leagues and thus why create a headache for yourself?
And I agree that each one 'is what it is,' and to go into a T-Bell with Papalote-like expectations would be merely foolish, if not depressing.
But one must wonder--nay, SHOULD wonder--aren't they all shooting for the same Tex-Mex moon? And if so, is it really that ridiculous to suggest that a bean burrito from one sucks, when compared to one from another?
I guess the trick is not to compare at all.
And I guess I can do that if I throw all my principles out the window, toss my beliefs aside, and settle for mediocrity.
Or just get really drunk.
15.2.06
misc. wednesday!
-Congratulations to Ms. Leigh Carter, who today got a job. All I have to say is it's about freaking time someone hired your smart and talented ass!
-I really should work on eating more slowly. I just killed that whole thing in like 5 minutes.
-5 favorite local foods and who introduced me to them:
1) super bean & cheese burrito from Papalote (me)
2) an It's It ice cream thingy from the corner store (leah)
3) chicken wings from Capital in Chinatown (karen)
4) falafel deluxe from Truly Med (nicole)
5) the cheap beer that keeps showing up in our fridge (?)
-At the current time, I'm not affiliated with AudioLuxe. The details aren't important, but I just wanted to "announce" that, so when you hear about me volunteering/taking up new activities/etc. you don't think I'm completely crazy for doing a "billion things."
-On that note, I'm really excited about starting a second life as a volunteer. More to come, I'm sure.
-Kelli Johnson was a damn good friend; she is still missed greatly.
-I'm really enjoying this nice weather (70s & sunny), but it's weird not having to have earned it by enduring months of gray winter. Don't fuck with me, California.
-Places I want to go in the next five years:
1) Oktoberfest (beer + Germany = ja voll)
2) Hawai'i (it's so close!)
3) Anywhere in Latin America already...jeez!
4) Yosemite NP
5) grad school
-"3 Feet High and Rising" is still one of the best albums ever made.
Today's Compare and Contrast:
-I think I prefer four-tined to three-tined, forks.
Why? Well, when it comes to tines, it's all in the food-stabbing ability. Obviously the fourth tine allows for a broader bite than one with just three. That's obvious.
In addition, I find my eating is more assertive when I eat with a four-tined fork. With three, it's like, the food could just jump off the plate and eat me! That's not a way to enjoy one's dinner.
Oh yeah, and a four-tined fork makes a more muted "dook" sound if it actually finds its way to the plate without having caught any food. Which sometimes happens. Sometimes I miss the food on the plate. The last thing I need is a fork that's always pointing it out.
To three-tined fork's credit, though, at least it's better than a spork.
OK, well, a three-pronged spork.
-Mr. Cheney:
Love hurts and all, but at least Ennis didn't shoot him.
-I really should work on eating more slowly. I just killed that whole thing in like 5 minutes.
-5 favorite local foods and who introduced me to them:
1) super bean & cheese burrito from Papalote (me)
2) an It's It ice cream thingy from the corner store (leah)
3) chicken wings from Capital in Chinatown (karen)
4) falafel deluxe from Truly Med (nicole)
5) the cheap beer that keeps showing up in our fridge (?)
-At the current time, I'm not affiliated with AudioLuxe. The details aren't important, but I just wanted to "announce" that, so when you hear about me volunteering/taking up new activities/etc. you don't think I'm completely crazy for doing a "billion things."
-On that note, I'm really excited about starting a second life as a volunteer. More to come, I'm sure.
-Kelli Johnson was a damn good friend; she is still missed greatly.
-I'm really enjoying this nice weather (70s & sunny), but it's weird not having to have earned it by enduring months of gray winter. Don't fuck with me, California.
-Places I want to go in the next five years:
1) Oktoberfest (beer + Germany = ja voll)
2) Hawai'i (it's so close!)
3) Anywhere in Latin America already...jeez!
4) Yosemite NP
5) grad school
-"3 Feet High and Rising" is still one of the best albums ever made.
Today's Compare and Contrast:
-I think I prefer four-tined to three-tined, forks.
Why? Well, when it comes to tines, it's all in the food-stabbing ability. Obviously the fourth tine allows for a broader bite than one with just three. That's obvious.
In addition, I find my eating is more assertive when I eat with a four-tined fork. With three, it's like, the food could just jump off the plate and eat me! That's not a way to enjoy one's dinner.
Oh yeah, and a four-tined fork makes a more muted "dook" sound if it actually finds its way to the plate without having caught any food. Which sometimes happens. Sometimes I miss the food on the plate. The last thing I need is a fork that's always pointing it out.
To three-tined fork's credit, though, at least it's better than a spork.
OK, well, a three-pronged spork.
-Mr. Cheney:
Love hurts and all, but at least Ennis didn't shoot him.
14.2.06
valentine's day
misc. wednesday will return tomorrow, but in the meantime I just wanted to say that I just had the best Valentine's Day in my entire life...and it's only 11:30 am.
27.1.06
a good proverb
"with money you can buy a house, but not a home.
you can buy a clock, but not time
a bed, but not sleep
a book, but not knowledge.
with money you can buy a doctor, but not good health
you can buy a position, but not respect
sex, but not love.
And you can buy entertainment, but not happiness."
you can buy a clock, but not time
a bed, but not sleep
a book, but not knowledge.
with money you can buy a doctor, but not good health
you can buy a position, but not respect
sex, but not love.
And you can buy entertainment, but not happiness."
25.1.06
misc. wednesday
-I just met author Amy Tan and brought her to Studio A. On the way up from the lobby, she told me all about her new orthopaedic shoes, which looked like lunch-lady shoes with one big spring as the heel.
-After giving it a lot of thought, I would have Kraft Spirals 'N' Cheese and a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice as my last meal.
-The world is celebrating Mozart's 250th birthday this week, and suddenly he's all popular and crap. All I can say is...who had THEIR favorite part of Sonata for Piano No. 11 in A Major-Rondo Alla Turca: Allegretto this time one year ago?
-Yeah, that's right.
-
-I think "the Epic of Gilgamesh" is more important to read now than it ever was. I mean, it's the first written story in human history and is from the Middle East.
-I have a new girl in my life. Her name's Leah and all I can really say is that she is completely awesome.
-Although they smell quite similar, I think I prefer Bath & Body Works' Coconut Verbena Lime body lotion over their Rich Citrus Cream. Why? Well, for starters, the word "verbena" is fun to say...even in one's head. I mean, mostly just in one's (ok, 'my') head because it's not like I talk a lot about these kinds of things out loud.
Secondly, the coconut offers a beach-ful and buttery quality unmatched by simply adding a "cream" chemical to the 'rich citrus' make-up of Rich Citrus Cream.
Additionally, I find the focus just on lime to be theoretically more classy than simply bunching all of the citrus fruits together, as if they aren't individuals. Essentially, if you treat them all the same, that's how they'll end up.
In conclusion...whereas Coconut Verbena Lime is a more-focused and deliberately-scented product, I find Rich Citrus Cream to be simply a haphazard and lazy afterthought of a body lotion.
Good thing they were two-for-one.
-After giving it a lot of thought, I would have Kraft Spirals 'N' Cheese and a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice as my last meal.
-The world is celebrating Mozart's 250th birthday this week, and suddenly he's all popular and crap. All I can say is...who had THEIR favorite part of Sonata for Piano No. 11 in A Major-Rondo Alla Turca: Allegretto this time one year ago?
-Yeah, that's right.
-
-I think "the Epic of Gilgamesh" is more important to read now than it ever was. I mean, it's the first written story in human history and is from the Middle East.
-I have a new girl in my life. Her name's Leah and all I can really say is that she is completely awesome.
-Although they smell quite similar, I think I prefer Bath & Body Works' Coconut Verbena Lime body lotion over their Rich Citrus Cream. Why? Well, for starters, the word "verbena" is fun to say...even in one's head. I mean, mostly just in one's (ok, 'my') head because it's not like I talk a lot about these kinds of things out loud.
Secondly, the coconut offers a beach-ful and buttery quality unmatched by simply adding a "cream" chemical to the 'rich citrus' make-up of Rich Citrus Cream.
Additionally, I find the focus just on lime to be theoretically more classy than simply bunching all of the citrus fruits together, as if they aren't individuals. Essentially, if you treat them all the same, that's how they'll end up.
In conclusion...whereas Coconut Verbena Lime is a more-focused and deliberately-scented product, I find Rich Citrus Cream to be simply a haphazard and lazy afterthought of a body lotion.
Good thing they were two-for-one.
23.1.06
public radio and me
OK so as far back as I can remember...or atleast since my family returned to the states in '93...family car trips meant two things: my brother and I fighting over the arm rest, and public radio.
Ten years later, I've gotten over the arm rest thing, for the most part. Despite its convenient placement for a road-weary head (when pulled out slightly upright) or just a practical wall between you and the Scum of the Earth As You Know It (one's younger brother), I can actually say with confidence that I'm at peace with arm rests.
But if you know me, I'm far far away from being, in any sort of way, over public radio.
As of today, this 23rd day of January 2006 A.D., my career in public radio officially begins at KQED, Inc.
I can't really describe--especially on this silly blog--how good this feels. To be dramatic, I feel like I've been working my entire life for this to happen. Let me explain...
It all started, as I said, on family car trips. My parents would constantly scan the air waves for the local NPR station--easy to find on the lower half of the dial and marked by boring classical music and interrupted by the even-more-boring news.
I would literally stare out the window, envious of roadkill, and complain that "we already heard this."
I don't really know when it was that I realized I had it better than the roadkill and that this "NPR" stuff was actually interesting, but I did.
Throughout high school, I found an outlet for my explanatory tendencies (at one point, I had a very bad 'explaining habit') and love for putting stories together, at Herd TV--Carlisle HS's weekly student-run, school district news program. While most of my classmates were in Herd TV for the freedom (we were able to leave school to 'go out on assignment'--which usually meant going to Sheetz for a Schmuffinz or Rita's for a Mist-O shake), I was there for the thrill of the deadline!
The late-breaking news about Lamberton's MS's latest art project!
The intriguing way in which Cumberland County ran its waste-water treatment plant!
And Mooreland Elementary School's steel-drum concert!
Whoa!
In college I was a news slut, majoring in BJ. While we learned the 'commercial' way of doing news, I was the dork asking my professors if I could please do a 5-minute piece on gay adoption.
Please?
OK.
And while most of my classmates thought of Radio News Reporting (RTN345) as an annoying step toward our year of TV, I briefly mourned the passing from audio to video.
I say briefly because, quite frankly, who doesn't want to be on camera every week? But I knew in my heart that was all just fun and games and that the real stuff of life can be collected by microphone only.
This isn't to say I hold any disdain for TV peeps, nor my commercial news-minded counterparts; in the end, it's all part of the same waxey ball.
I guess it's just that I prefer ear wax.
So now, more than two years later, it's finally happened and it feels pretty cool.
This one might take a little longer than the arm rest thing.
Ten years later, I've gotten over the arm rest thing, for the most part. Despite its convenient placement for a road-weary head (when pulled out slightly upright) or just a practical wall between you and the Scum of the Earth As You Know It (one's younger brother), I can actually say with confidence that I'm at peace with arm rests.
But if you know me, I'm far far away from being, in any sort of way, over public radio.
As of today, this 23rd day of January 2006 A.D., my career in public radio officially begins at KQED, Inc.
I can't really describe--especially on this silly blog--how good this feels. To be dramatic, I feel like I've been working my entire life for this to happen. Let me explain...
It all started, as I said, on family car trips. My parents would constantly scan the air waves for the local NPR station--easy to find on the lower half of the dial and marked by boring classical music and interrupted by the even-more-boring news.
I would literally stare out the window, envious of roadkill, and complain that "we already heard this."
I don't really know when it was that I realized I had it better than the roadkill and that this "NPR" stuff was actually interesting, but I did.
Throughout high school, I found an outlet for my explanatory tendencies (at one point, I had a very bad 'explaining habit') and love for putting stories together, at Herd TV--Carlisle HS's weekly student-run, school district news program. While most of my classmates were in Herd TV for the freedom (we were able to leave school to 'go out on assignment'--which usually meant going to Sheetz for a Schmuffinz or Rita's for a Mist-O shake), I was there for the thrill of the deadline!
The late-breaking news about Lamberton's MS's latest art project!
The intriguing way in which Cumberland County ran its waste-water treatment plant!
And Mooreland Elementary School's steel-drum concert!
Whoa!
In college I was a news slut, majoring in BJ. While we learned the 'commercial' way of doing news, I was the dork asking my professors if I could please do a 5-minute piece on gay adoption.
Please?
OK.
And while most of my classmates thought of Radio News Reporting (RTN345) as an annoying step toward our year of TV, I briefly mourned the passing from audio to video.
I say briefly because, quite frankly, who doesn't want to be on camera every week? But I knew in my heart that was all just fun and games and that the real stuff of life can be collected by microphone only.
This isn't to say I hold any disdain for TV peeps, nor my commercial news-minded counterparts; in the end, it's all part of the same waxey ball.
I guess it's just that I prefer ear wax.
So now, more than two years later, it's finally happened and it feels pretty cool.
This one might take a little longer than the arm rest thing.
11.1.06
misc. wednesday
This misc. wednesday's theme is "why I haven't been blogging."
by Emilie Cole
-the holidays. Or is that hollydaze? I can't remember, really.
-As of now, I'm still technically a 'temporary' staff member here at KQED. They are beginning the interview process soon, so I should have some closure as to my immediate employment future in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I'm in this weird state of suspension and do not feel appropriate letting my creative juices flow. I'm not sure why this is--I guess I just need stability to be witty, funny and stuff.
-I'm over my own thoughts before I get to blog about them.
by Emilie Cole
-the holidays. Or is that hollydaze? I can't remember, really.
-As of now, I'm still technically a 'temporary' staff member here at KQED. They are beginning the interview process soon, so I should have some closure as to my immediate employment future in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I'm in this weird state of suspension and do not feel appropriate letting my creative juices flow. I'm not sure why this is--I guess I just need stability to be witty, funny and stuff.
-I'm over my own thoughts before I get to blog about them.
19.12.05
happy holidays, California style:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, best wishes for an environmentally- conscious, socially-responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally-successful, personally-fulfilling and medically -uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee. By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.
Or, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Or, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
12.12.05
Tookie
As of 26 minutes ago, Gov. Schwarzenneger denied clemency for Stanley "Tookie" Williams, which means he will be put to death by lethal injection tomorrow morning at 12:01.
One of our reporters is a media witness.
This case has been very controversial, especially here b/c San Quentin Prison is only an hour away, due to the fact that although he murdered 4 people in the '70s and started the Crips, in his 24-year incarceration he has written numerous children's book denouncing gang life and violence and has even been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. So many people, including Tookie, say that he has proven rehabilitation and should not be executed.
Here's what I think...
What say you?
One of our reporters is a media witness.
This case has been very controversial, especially here b/c San Quentin Prison is only an hour away, due to the fact that although he murdered 4 people in the '70s and started the Crips, in his 24-year incarceration he has written numerous children's book denouncing gang life and violence and has even been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. So many people, including Tookie, say that he has proven rehabilitation and should not be executed.
Here's what I think...
What say you?
6.12.05
Dave Eggers and me
Yep.
That's right.
I just met Dave Eggers.
Met him in the lobby.
Took him to Studio D to record a piece.
Yep.
That's right.
I just met Dave Eggers.
Met him in the lobby.
Took him to Studio D to record a piece.
Yep.
1.12.05
DC, or, The District of Contradiction
Recently Ren said she has this thing about moving to DC in her lifetime and when I went to comment about the city on the post it made me think to write my own post on DC.
Like, duh.
Living near DC all through high school it seemed like just another big city but a big city that had "all of this important stuff there, too." I didn't know what to expect when I moved there. Well, that's a lie. I thought I was going to get a job at NPR, finally securing a paying job in public radio.
But I didn't know what to expect out of the city itself.
Going in, I had two conflicting opinions...each from friends who are very hip in an unhip way, very aware of music and pop culture, and whose views on 'what to do' I would generally trust. One was convinced DC was lame and that it 'hasn't been cool since the '80s.' The other told me it was one of her favorite places ever.**
Needless to say, DC ended up kicking some major ass and I would totally move back later in life once I get California out of my system.
And it wasn't just because they get good shows, have fun bars, have cool people, blah blah blah; those are things I could find in any city, or even a small, one-horse town, which I have done many times before. (sans the horse).
Nope, you. DC, in my opinion, was cool because:
-Unlike, ahem, San Francisco or Berkeley, DC isn't heavy on the diversity self-promotion. Like, they don't have a "We're SO Diverse, It's Fuckin' CRAZY, Man" Day. That being said, I lived in the one of the top 3 most-diverse zip codes in the whole country (20009).
-When you think of America, for whatever reason (school, history class, car commercials) you probably think of: The Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and the Viet Nam War Memorial. If not, you're just not an American, goddammit.
JK, of course, but the point is that DC is THE quintessential symbol of the US of A. Funny thing is...it looks more like a European city than, well, most European cities. (Oh, you know...circles with fountains in the middle, neo-classical architecture on every street, bridges, rivers, etc.)
Take that, you RW&B-Tshirted rednecks!
-Despite being the nation's capital--the hub of international and domestic news and policy--I frequently forgot that that whole part was even there. Then once in a while it would strike me, like, "oh yeah! I live in the hub of international and domestic news and policy!"
-That whole taxation-without-representation thing.
In the world's center of modern democracy.
I worked in a French bistro right across from where Abraham Lincoln was shot. I saw the cherry blossoms--a gift from the Japanese earlier last century--in full bloom. I lived blocks away from every embassy from every country you could imagine, big or small.
Thing is, I've never felt more...American.
Like, duh.
Living near DC all through high school it seemed like just another big city but a big city that had "all of this important stuff there, too." I didn't know what to expect when I moved there. Well, that's a lie. I thought I was going to get a job at NPR, finally securing a paying job in public radio.
But I didn't know what to expect out of the city itself.
Going in, I had two conflicting opinions...each from friends who are very hip in an unhip way, very aware of music and pop culture, and whose views on 'what to do' I would generally trust. One was convinced DC was lame and that it 'hasn't been cool since the '80s.' The other told me it was one of her favorite places ever.**
Needless to say, DC ended up kicking some major ass and I would totally move back later in life once I get California out of my system.
And it wasn't just because they get good shows, have fun bars, have cool people, blah blah blah; those are things I could find in any city, or even a small, one-horse town, which I have done many times before. (sans the horse).
Nope, you. DC, in my opinion, was cool because:
-Unlike, ahem, San Francisco or Berkeley, DC isn't heavy on the diversity self-promotion. Like, they don't have a "We're SO Diverse, It's Fuckin' CRAZY, Man" Day. That being said, I lived in the one of the top 3 most-diverse zip codes in the whole country (20009).
-When you think of America, for whatever reason (school, history class, car commercials) you probably think of: The Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and the Viet Nam War Memorial. If not, you're just not an American, goddammit.
JK, of course, but the point is that DC is THE quintessential symbol of the US of A. Funny thing is...it looks more like a European city than, well, most European cities. (Oh, you know...circles with fountains in the middle, neo-classical architecture on every street, bridges, rivers, etc.)
Take that, you RW&B-Tshirted rednecks!
-Despite being the nation's capital--the hub of international and domestic news and policy--I frequently forgot that that whole part was even there. Then once in a while it would strike me, like, "oh yeah! I live in the hub of international and domestic news and policy!"
-That whole taxation-without-representation thing.
In the world's center of modern democracy.
I worked in a French bistro right across from where Abraham Lincoln was shot. I saw the cherry blossoms--a gift from the Japanese earlier last century--in full bloom. I lived blocks away from every embassy from every country you could imagine, big or small.
Thing is, I've never felt more...American.
22.11.05
blog launch!
Hello, Dear Reader.
I have decided to create a secondary blog.
It is more of a 'rant-and-rave' space than anything else.
Due to my Gemini nature, I wanted to keep all of that separate from the work I do here at emilie. In this way, I can feel a little bit of distance from my more-confident self who is able to form an actual opinion once in a while, and be able to continue functioning as the girl you are more familiar with: the one who gives equal weight to all points of view and feels guilty if she gives her two cents and, not only that, but immediately feels a change of heart and feels like she just shouldn't have said anything in the first place, but then after that realizes she's probably being too hard on herself (she's not quite sure, though) and feels glad she said something, but then recognizes it might have come out wrong (not 100%, though) and then doesn't know what to do so she just thinks of something inappropriate and laughs out loud and moves on.
I can also be judgmental there (not "mean"...just judgmental!), which is better for society as a whole because then I can just get it all out of my system instead of subjecting loved ones to my impulsive-conclusions which I sometimes mask as "honesty."
(See "Lives" at the end of this past Sunday's NYTimes magazine for more details on that concept.)
Perhaps one day I will be able to merge these two and not feel guilty about it. For now, though, it's best to keep them separate. And please realize that they both come from the same loving and compassionate heart.
Oh, and feel free to join in...it is a safe space to rant and rave about anything.
Just remember, it's mine.
So in the end, I'm always gonna be right.
Maybe.
Sorry.
Thanks.
I have decided to create a secondary blog.
It is more of a 'rant-and-rave' space than anything else.
Due to my Gemini nature, I wanted to keep all of that separate from the work I do here at emilie. In this way, I can feel a little bit of distance from my more-confident self who is able to form an actual opinion once in a while, and be able to continue functioning as the girl you are more familiar with: the one who gives equal weight to all points of view and feels guilty if she gives her two cents and, not only that, but immediately feels a change of heart and feels like she just shouldn't have said anything in the first place, but then after that realizes she's probably being too hard on herself (she's not quite sure, though) and feels glad she said something, but then recognizes it might have come out wrong (not 100%, though) and then doesn't know what to do so she just thinks of something inappropriate and laughs out loud and moves on.
I can also be judgmental there (not "mean"...just judgmental!), which is better for society as a whole because then I can just get it all out of my system instead of subjecting loved ones to my impulsive-conclusions which I sometimes mask as "honesty."
(See "Lives" at the end of this past Sunday's NYTimes magazine for more details on that concept.)
Perhaps one day I will be able to merge these two and not feel guilty about it. For now, though, it's best to keep them separate. And please realize that they both come from the same loving and compassionate heart.
Oh, and feel free to join in...it is a safe space to rant and rave about anything.
Just remember, it's mine.
So in the end, I'm always gonna be right.
Maybe.
Sorry.
Thanks.
14.11.05
an update
So I haven't been too good at blogging for the past month or two; what with moving and all, it's been a bit hard to sit down and think of some good posts.
I'm definitely starting to feel the creative daily-life observation juices flowing once again, but in the meantime, here's a brief update.
-The XC trip went fantabulously...definitely one of the best times of my life! Karen (college friend and a current roommate) and I decided to see This Great Nation--or as much as we could fit in 10 days, and mission accomplished. Starting in her hometown of Buffalo/Niagara Falls, we headed west, staying in Chicago, Mnpls/St. Paul, the Badlands, Boulder, Moab, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, LA and finally up the coast to the City by the Bay.
You can see pictures from the trip here.
One of the conclusions I made after the trip was that we live in an awesome country.
-I'm working at KQED as web audio/on-air promotions; I put KQED's shows on our Web site and I write the announcements that the on-air guy reads about upcoming shows.
This is my day job, and so far it is kicking ass as such.
-We are making mucho progress with AudioLuxe, the non-profit radio production company I helped/am helping co-found. This weekend we went to a conference in LA on portable media and made a lot of head way; we also found out that no one else is doing what we're doing and that is a nice feeling.
Besides that, daily SF life is great. Our apartment is cheery and fun...my roommates are fellow East-coasters, so there's none of the California sissy-pants tiptoeing around feelings thing.*
The neighborhood is awesome; in the Mission but slightly up the hill and a short walk from beautiful Dolores park. And, of course, there's tons to do and discover, people to meet and things to learn, which is what generally makes life life.
Life's good--come visit anytime.
*The California sissy-pants tiptoeing around feelings thing is actually a real thing, thus worthy of note in this post. It is a weird thing, not good or bad, just weird, and can take its toll on you if you are from the more-thick-skinned parts of the country outside of California. I will probably have a post on just this topic in the near future.
I'm definitely starting to feel the creative daily-life observation juices flowing once again, but in the meantime, here's a brief update.
-The XC trip went fantabulously...definitely one of the best times of my life! Karen (college friend and a current roommate) and I decided to see This Great Nation--or as much as we could fit in 10 days, and mission accomplished. Starting in her hometown of Buffalo/Niagara Falls, we headed west, staying in Chicago, Mnpls/St. Paul, the Badlands, Boulder, Moab, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, LA and finally up the coast to the City by the Bay.
You can see pictures from the trip here.
One of the conclusions I made after the trip was that we live in an awesome country.
-I'm working at KQED as web audio/on-air promotions; I put KQED's shows on our Web site and I write the announcements that the on-air guy reads about upcoming shows.
This is my day job, and so far it is kicking ass as such.
-We are making mucho progress with AudioLuxe, the non-profit radio production company I helped/am helping co-found. This weekend we went to a conference in LA on portable media and made a lot of head way; we also found out that no one else is doing what we're doing and that is a nice feeling.
Besides that, daily SF life is great. Our apartment is cheery and fun...my roommates are fellow East-coasters, so there's none of the California sissy-pants tiptoeing around feelings thing.*
The neighborhood is awesome; in the Mission but slightly up the hill and a short walk from beautiful Dolores park. And, of course, there's tons to do and discover, people to meet and things to learn, which is what generally makes life life.
Life's good--come visit anytime.
*The California sissy-pants tiptoeing around feelings thing is actually a real thing, thus worthy of note in this post. It is a weird thing, not good or bad, just weird, and can take its toll on you if you are from the more-thick-skinned parts of the country outside of California. I will probably have a post on just this topic in the near future.
3.11.05
and done
The starting line was awesome; ahead of me a sea of jittery, colorful dots as far as the eye could see--and I was only in the first 2,000 of 30,000+ runners! After a jump-in from some airborne Marines, the gun went off and all of those moments of training, laughing, and stretching manifested themselves in this single 26.2-mile course in front of me.
And what a course! From the Pentagon alongside the Potomac, down to the Lincoln Memorial and up to my old neighborhood in Adams Morgan, back down to the Memorials, along the National Mall, around the Capitol, down around East Potomac Park and Haines Point, across the 14th Street Bridge, into Virginia around Crystal City and finishing up Arlington National Cemetary...
It's weird how one can form a relationship with the ground so quickly.
I mean, it's just a set path made up by some committee, supported by thousands of water/food station volunteers and lined with even more thousands of spectators. These are landmarks that mean different things to different people; built by ancestors, forebears, and historical societies; and seen by millions each year.
But on that Sunday they were ours. Us runners'.
The miles flew by at first. I looked down at my watch and it had already been and hour and a half...Mile 10.
My group--some similar-aged TNTers--and I were still in a relatively close group. We weren't completely together, but it was fun to keep running into each other here and there. Not really running into each other, but, you know. Har?
I swerved around the Mall, my chest pounding with patriotic excitement (I'm a sucker for American civics, people!) as I passed every major landmark of public education, information, and history we grow up learning about. Smithsonian. National Gallery. The Statue of Freedom which tops the Capitol's dome and peers down from her apex as we dilly about our policies and ideologies. I couldn't believe that I was running on Constitution Avenue for godsakes! How f-ing sweet is that??
My civic daydream was interrupted when I heard some cheers coming my way and I looked up to see a group of my friends on the sidelines, and who aptly prepared me for the dreaded and isolated Haines Point. This is a peninsula that sticks downward into the Potomac River...basically 2 miles down and 2 miles back up. It was also to be the site of an immense and debilitating pain: My 'good' knee decided to start hurting. I'm not sure why; perhaps years of being the default work horse took its toll. This must be it because I hadn't had any prior problems and I wasn't running any differently this day.
This meant that starting at mile 18 I had to jog/stretch/sometimes walk at least once per mile. This was OK, though, because the slight walk breaks refreshed certain leg muscles for the next segment of running; I think I would have had a slower time if I had tried to run straight through the next 8 miles, actually.
Miles 20-23 were the weirdest. We crossed the huge 14th Street Bridge, which was bright, dry, and sort of eerie. The finish felt like eons away, so it was a weird feeling to know we had already run 20 miles. While there was no "worst part," this was the toughest mentally. Not that I wanted to stop running the race, but there were times in this portion where I doubted my ability to finish. It was also weird to run under the big, huge highway signs. We fly by them so quickly in our cars, and it was taking forever to reach the next one in my line of vision. And I mean forever. I finally knew what that whole "wall-hitting" was referring to, and I came pretty damn close on that isolated stretch spanning the Potomac between the District and the Commonwealth.
But once that was all behind me, things definitely peaked up. I was almost at the finish line and it was kind of hard to fathom. I mean, I had been running for 3 and a half hours and in that time I experienced the same amount of emotions I do in a week--or sometimes month--and much more exaggerated for that matter. To think it was going to be over within another half hour was a unique feeling. It was at this point when another friend joined me in the run for a few minutes...definitely a nice and motivational gesture, especially her sign that read "Emilie smells really bad right now." She had expressed concern the day prior that she wasn't going to be able to keep up with me; I'm sure she was surprised to find me merely shuffling along!
And I should mention here that, yes, the "marathon shuffle" is a real thing. Some people actually train that way...I was simply reduced to a shuffle by the end, which was totally OK since that was literally the fastest I could run. It wasn't like I was pissed or frustrated to be going this slow, I was actually very accepting of the fact that I could only go this fast.
And, for the most part, it was at this pace that I made my way up the end hill and crossed the finish line at the Iwo Jima Marine Memorial Monument . My final time was 3:56 and I later found out that I was the 641st woman to finish (out of about 15,000). I didn't make Boston (sub 3:40) but that is OK. I couldn't have made Boston...like I said, I was truly at the point of running exhaustion.
First marathon aside, it is this point that is truly a "first" for me. In all my years of running, I've always had the feeling that I could have gone a little faster, a little harder. Years of competitive running will do that to you every time, and seconds can always be shaved. But it was here that for the first time I walked away knowing that I left it all out there on the course.
It's a nice feeling, and I was proud to honor my late uncle Ed -- a career Marine and leukemia victim -- with all that I could for Team in Training, his legacy, and myself.
And what a course! From the Pentagon alongside the Potomac, down to the Lincoln Memorial and up to my old neighborhood in Adams Morgan, back down to the Memorials, along the National Mall, around the Capitol, down around East Potomac Park and Haines Point, across the 14th Street Bridge, into Virginia around Crystal City and finishing up Arlington National Cemetary...
It's weird how one can form a relationship with the ground so quickly.
I mean, it's just a set path made up by some committee, supported by thousands of water/food station volunteers and lined with even more thousands of spectators. These are landmarks that mean different things to different people; built by ancestors, forebears, and historical societies; and seen by millions each year.
But on that Sunday they were ours. Us runners'.
The miles flew by at first. I looked down at my watch and it had already been and hour and a half...Mile 10.
My group--some similar-aged TNTers--and I were still in a relatively close group. We weren't completely together, but it was fun to keep running into each other here and there. Not really running into each other, but, you know. Har?
I swerved around the Mall, my chest pounding with patriotic excitement (I'm a sucker for American civics, people!) as I passed every major landmark of public education, information, and history we grow up learning about. Smithsonian. National Gallery. The Statue of Freedom which tops the Capitol's dome and peers down from her apex as we dilly about our policies and ideologies. I couldn't believe that I was running on Constitution Avenue for godsakes! How f-ing sweet is that??
My civic daydream was interrupted when I heard some cheers coming my way and I looked up to see a group of my friends on the sidelines, and who aptly prepared me for the dreaded and isolated Haines Point. This is a peninsula that sticks downward into the Potomac River...basically 2 miles down and 2 miles back up. It was also to be the site of an immense and debilitating pain: My 'good' knee decided to start hurting. I'm not sure why; perhaps years of being the default work horse took its toll. This must be it because I hadn't had any prior problems and I wasn't running any differently this day.
This meant that starting at mile 18 I had to jog/stretch/sometimes walk at least once per mile. This was OK, though, because the slight walk breaks refreshed certain leg muscles for the next segment of running; I think I would have had a slower time if I had tried to run straight through the next 8 miles, actually.
Miles 20-23 were the weirdest. We crossed the huge 14th Street Bridge, which was bright, dry, and sort of eerie. The finish felt like eons away, so it was a weird feeling to know we had already run 20 miles. While there was no "worst part," this was the toughest mentally. Not that I wanted to stop running the race, but there were times in this portion where I doubted my ability to finish. It was also weird to run under the big, huge highway signs. We fly by them so quickly in our cars, and it was taking forever to reach the next one in my line of vision. And I mean forever. I finally knew what that whole "wall-hitting" was referring to, and I came pretty damn close on that isolated stretch spanning the Potomac between the District and the Commonwealth.
But once that was all behind me, things definitely peaked up. I was almost at the finish line and it was kind of hard to fathom. I mean, I had been running for 3 and a half hours and in that time I experienced the same amount of emotions I do in a week--or sometimes month--and much more exaggerated for that matter. To think it was going to be over within another half hour was a unique feeling. It was at this point when another friend joined me in the run for a few minutes...definitely a nice and motivational gesture, especially her sign that read "Emilie smells really bad right now." She had expressed concern the day prior that she wasn't going to be able to keep up with me; I'm sure she was surprised to find me merely shuffling along!
And I should mention here that, yes, the "marathon shuffle" is a real thing. Some people actually train that way...I was simply reduced to a shuffle by the end, which was totally OK since that was literally the fastest I could run. It wasn't like I was pissed or frustrated to be going this slow, I was actually very accepting of the fact that I could only go this fast.
And, for the most part, it was at this pace that I made my way up the end hill and crossed the finish line at the Iwo Jima Marine Memorial Monument . My final time was 3:56 and I later found out that I was the 641st woman to finish (out of about 15,000). I didn't make Boston (sub 3:40) but that is OK. I couldn't have made Boston...like I said, I was truly at the point of running exhaustion.
First marathon aside, it is this point that is truly a "first" for me. In all my years of running, I've always had the feeling that I could have gone a little faster, a little harder. Years of competitive running will do that to you every time, and seconds can always be shaved. But it was here that for the first time I walked away knowing that I left it all out there on the course.
It's a nice feeling, and I was proud to honor my late uncle Ed -- a career Marine and leukemia victim -- with all that I could for Team in Training, his legacy, and myself.
24.10.05
7 Lists of 7...
...Things about the 7 Days Before the Marathon
It's the last week before the race and I have tons of things on my mind. Here are some of them:
7 Things I'm Doing Differently this Week:
1. Not drinking alcohol
2. Not drinking caffeine
3. Running very little
4. Stretching in the mornings
5. Eating an egg a day
6. 'Focusing'
7. Trying to stay away from sweets
7 Gross Things about Running:
1. Bloody nipples (guys)
2. Peely, blistered feet
3. Inner thigh chafe-age (some girls)
4. Snotrockets
5. When people's deodorant gets frothy and collects in their rear armpit
6. On-site race port-o-potties
7. When people throw up at the end
7 Things I'm Thinking About:
1. My uncle Ed
2. Miles 18-22
3. The right ratio of Gatorade to water
4. Haines Point (apparently the hardest part of the course because there are no spectators)
5. Qualifying for Boston
6. Socks
7. This quote: "Sometimes you have to let go of the person you are in order to become the person you would like to be."
7 Things I Love About Running:
1. Thinking
2. Hills
3. Exploring the area
4. Sense of accomplishment
5. Invigorated feeling afterwards
6. You don't need lots of equipment
7. The post-run beer
7 Favorite Running-Related Memories:
1. Carlisle cross country pre-meet cheer (It went like this: Coach Travis: "Who are we?" Us: "Carlisle!" "Who ya gonna run for?" "Carlisle!" "Who's gonna win?!" "CARLISLE!"
2. Aww Boo, our stuffed vampire mascot, and corresponding jingle
3. Kendor Summit hill workout
4. Autumn leaves, anywhere
5. Sweeping Districts
6. Rutty peeing in Gatorade barrel on the bus
7. Penn State
7 Favorite Race-Related Things:
1. Finish line!
2. Pinning on number (takes a good 10 minutes to get it right)
3. Jumping up and down to stay loose before starting gun
4. The crowd and volunteers
5. Big pace clocks
6. Long-sleeve race T shirt
7. Congratulating the people around you in finish line stall
7 People Who Were Extra Supportive and/or Inspirational:
1. Charlotte Cole, my mom (her first running event)
2. Dean Karnazas (ultra-ultra-distance runner. Is attempting a 350-mile run soon.)
3. Nicole LaCount (endured 5:45am alarms, non-stop TNT talk, events...)
4. Coach Harold Travis (HS XC coach for 35 years.Ran every workout, despite being 60)
5. Molly Schmelzle & Christine LeMieux (put simply, amazing athletes physically and mentally)
6. Wilma Rudolph (OK, a little typical. But she had polio and won the Olympic Gold Medal)
7. Dan Vaughan (started walking for his health this year. I just think that's really cool)
**Bonus List!**
7 Ways Running is Like Life
1. It's not always easy
2. But the harder you go, the easier it gets
3. You never know what you're capable of
4. And, as it turns out, you're capable of a lot
5. You learn a lot from the times where you didn't give up
6. You learn even more from the times where you did
7. You're going to be OK
It's the last week before the race and I have tons of things on my mind. Here are some of them:
7 Things I'm Doing Differently this Week:
1. Not drinking alcohol
2. Not drinking caffeine
3. Running very little
4. Stretching in the mornings
5. Eating an egg a day
6. 'Focusing'
7. Trying to stay away from sweets
7 Gross Things about Running:
1. Bloody nipples (guys)
2. Peely, blistered feet
3. Inner thigh chafe-age (some girls)
4. Snotrockets
5. When people's deodorant gets frothy and collects in their rear armpit
6. On-site race port-o-potties
7. When people throw up at the end
7 Things I'm Thinking About:
1. My uncle Ed
2. Miles 18-22
3. The right ratio of Gatorade to water
4. Haines Point (apparently the hardest part of the course because there are no spectators)
5. Qualifying for Boston
6. Socks
7. This quote: "Sometimes you have to let go of the person you are in order to become the person you would like to be."
7 Things I Love About Running:
1. Thinking
2. Hills
3. Exploring the area
4. Sense of accomplishment
5. Invigorated feeling afterwards
6. You don't need lots of equipment
7. The post-run beer
7 Favorite Running-Related Memories:
1. Carlisle cross country pre-meet cheer (It went like this: Coach Travis: "Who are we?" Us: "Carlisle!" "Who ya gonna run for?" "Carlisle!" "Who's gonna win?!" "CARLISLE!"
2. Aww Boo, our stuffed vampire mascot, and corresponding jingle
3. Kendor Summit hill workout
4. Autumn leaves, anywhere
5. Sweeping Districts
6. Rutty peeing in Gatorade barrel on the bus
7. Penn State
7 Favorite Race-Related Things:
1. Finish line!
2. Pinning on number (takes a good 10 minutes to get it right)
3. Jumping up and down to stay loose before starting gun
4. The crowd and volunteers
5. Big pace clocks
6. Long-sleeve race T shirt
7. Congratulating the people around you in finish line stall
7 People Who Were Extra Supportive and/or Inspirational:
1. Charlotte Cole, my mom (her first running event)
2. Dean Karnazas (ultra-ultra-distance runner. Is attempting a 350-mile run soon.)
3. Nicole LaCount (endured 5:45am alarms, non-stop TNT talk, events...)
4. Coach Harold Travis (HS XC coach for 35 years.Ran every workout, despite being 60)
5. Molly Schmelzle & Christine LeMieux (put simply, amazing athletes physically and mentally)
6. Wilma Rudolph (OK, a little typical. But she had polio and won the Olympic Gold Medal)
7. Dan Vaughan (started walking for his health this year. I just think that's really cool)
**Bonus List!**
7 Ways Running is Like Life
1. It's not always easy
2. But the harder you go, the easier it gets
3. You never know what you're capable of
4. And, as it turns out, you're capable of a lot
5. You learn a lot from the times where you didn't give up
6. You learn even more from the times where you did
7. You're going to be OK
20.10.05
some things I've learned over the past 2 years, 5 months
-say what you mean
-mean what you say
-assumptions hurt (both ways). they also create situations.
-realize your effect on others. however, sometimes you won't know what the long-term effect is until it happens. then you feel a mixture of silliness/apologeticness. but there's really nothing you can do because the damage has been done. this is a tough one.
-when you feel sorry, say so.
-when you don't, don't.
-if you love, love unconditionally. otherwise, what's the point?
-mean what you say
-assumptions hurt (both ways). they also create situations.
-realize your effect on others. however, sometimes you won't know what the long-term effect is until it happens. then you feel a mixture of silliness/apologeticness. but there's really nothing you can do because the damage has been done. this is a tough one.
-when you feel sorry, say so.
-when you don't, don't.
-if you love, love unconditionally. otherwise, what's the point?
18.10.05
made it
I'm in SF.
I have a good job.
I hope to have a good apartment.
Peeps are cool.
I'm in SF.
Oh--and I love this city!
I just wanted to mention that, too.
I have a good job.
I hope to have a good apartment.
Peeps are cool.
I'm in SF.
Oh--and I love this city!
I just wanted to mention that, too.
26.9.05
Fall and me
"It's that time of year again."
OK. So I actually don't really use that phrase too often, but still. What I'm trying to say is that the first trees are changing and I can no longer deny that with every fluttering leaf that drops, the flora and fauna of my heart be...no, no, no.
Let me start over.
Even though it's hard for me to pick things out and label them as "favorite" and "best," I've decided that Fall is both the best and my favorite season. I don't know how it came to be that way; I never grew up with those American autumnal staples like football, apple cider or sweatshirts with turtlenecks underneath.
In fact, I used to dislike the Fall just because it basically meant that I would have to wear sweatshirts with turtlenecks underneath.
And I hate sweatshirts!
OK, not really. It just meant that playing outside was coming to a close end and then I'd be stuck inside with my family.
Um, no thanks.
But somewhere along the line, I began to like the Fall.
Well, not just "somewhere." I know where it began, goshdarnit, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! It started with cross country. I know that sounds really dorky...but whatevs, yo. Cross country is dorky! But that's where it started and you're going to have to accept that about me.
You see, after a month of hot weather, the season quickly changed to cool, brisk afternoons that make running 60 minutes of hills much more bearable
--nay--
enjoyable.
Then came the races themselves. Set against a changing backdrop of red, orange and yellow, the meets were both exciting and familiar. Exciting because you never knew where your legs would--or wouldn't--take you that day. (At least that's my definition of "exciting." You?)
Familiar because there was Mr. Bartoli, in the same spot, bellowing the same cheer, giving you that same feeling of pride and competitiveness. Or at least making you feel like The Thundering Herd wasn't such a bad mascot after all.
Saturday races--invitationals, mind you--were the best; hundreds of runners AND the chance to medal. The excitement here came from the large field and not knowing the other teams' ability, or even geography. I mean, I still don't know where exactly Emmaus is.
And I hope I never find out.
Oh yeah! And each team had a tent where ear-muffed parents diligently setup the post-race meal: steaming chilli, a cornucopia of chips and dip I'd have never found in my own pantry, fresh fruit and Gatorade galore...all this complemented with the menthotastic hint of Flex-All wafting through the air.
Can you feel it? No, not that. The burning chill inside your nostrils. Yeah! That's it!
By 1PM we were back on the bus, watching Nature's Change whiz by, on our way to Saturdee night's activities-which included, but were not limited to, a bunch of girliness, smelly markers, and, of course, more Flex-All.
My autumns at SU came both with and without running, mostly due to knee issues. Either way, Central NY provided an awesome substitute for the glory days of CHS XC with its most beautiful trees and many an apple festival.
Good enough!
Ever since that first Fall, I've found it impossible to disassociate the season with running.
The crunchy colors. The earthen air. The smell of tree bark changing--thickening for winter--but only when I'm running by it.
There have been times when I couldn't run, times where I just didn't, and times where I didn't know which one it was.
But now this Fall, as I prepare for the biggest running event in my life to date, I realize that over the past ten years running has never really left me.
Nor I running.
And this realization came on this Saturday's run when I noticed the first leaf fall on the trail before me. It was mile 8 of 14…
OK. So I actually don't really use that phrase too often, but still. What I'm trying to say is that the first trees are changing and I can no longer deny that with every fluttering leaf that drops, the flora and fauna of my heart be...no, no, no.
Let me start over.
Even though it's hard for me to pick things out and label them as "favorite" and "best," I've decided that Fall is both the best and my favorite season. I don't know how it came to be that way; I never grew up with those American autumnal staples like football, apple cider or sweatshirts with turtlenecks underneath.
In fact, I used to dislike the Fall just because it basically meant that I would have to wear sweatshirts with turtlenecks underneath.
And I hate sweatshirts!
OK, not really. It just meant that playing outside was coming to a close end and then I'd be stuck inside with my family.
Um, no thanks.
But somewhere along the line, I began to like the Fall.
Well, not just "somewhere." I know where it began, goshdarnit, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! It started with cross country. I know that sounds really dorky...but whatevs, yo. Cross country is dorky! But that's where it started and you're going to have to accept that about me.
You see, after a month of hot weather, the season quickly changed to cool, brisk afternoons that make running 60 minutes of hills much more bearable
--nay--
enjoyable.
Then came the races themselves. Set against a changing backdrop of red, orange and yellow, the meets were both exciting and familiar. Exciting because you never knew where your legs would--or wouldn't--take you that day. (At least that's my definition of "exciting." You?)
Familiar because there was Mr. Bartoli, in the same spot, bellowing the same cheer, giving you that same feeling of pride and competitiveness. Or at least making you feel like The Thundering Herd wasn't such a bad mascot after all.
Saturday races--invitationals, mind you--were the best; hundreds of runners AND the chance to medal. The excitement here came from the large field and not knowing the other teams' ability, or even geography. I mean, I still don't know where exactly Emmaus is.
And I hope I never find out.
Oh yeah! And each team had a tent where ear-muffed parents diligently setup the post-race meal: steaming chilli, a cornucopia of chips and dip I'd have never found in my own pantry, fresh fruit and Gatorade galore...all this complemented with the menthotastic hint of Flex-All wafting through the air.
Can you feel it? No, not that. The burning chill inside your nostrils. Yeah! That's it!
By 1PM we were back on the bus, watching Nature's Change whiz by, on our way to Saturdee night's activities-which included, but were not limited to, a bunch of girliness, smelly markers, and, of course, more Flex-All.
My autumns at SU came both with and without running, mostly due to knee issues. Either way, Central NY provided an awesome substitute for the glory days of CHS XC with its most beautiful trees and many an apple festival.
Good enough!
Ever since that first Fall, I've found it impossible to disassociate the season with running.
The crunchy colors. The earthen air. The smell of tree bark changing--thickening for winter--but only when I'm running by it.
There have been times when I couldn't run, times where I just didn't, and times where I didn't know which one it was.
But now this Fall, as I prepare for the biggest running event in my life to date, I realize that over the past ten years running has never really left me.
Nor I running.
And this realization came on this Saturday's run when I noticed the first leaf fall on the trail before me. It was mile 8 of 14…
19.9.05
I'm going going, back back...
...to Cali Cali!
Yep, that's right folks! San Francisco, to be exact.
In two weeks I'll be headin' out West--this time for at least a few years. It kind of came up fast but I'm super excited and have a weird calmness that everything will work out.
FAQs:
Why?
-After living there, around the world and in various East Coast locations, I've decided that the Bay Area is the place for me right now: chill/diverse peeps, lots to do, diverse array of outdoor activities, good food, big farmers' markets.
-I am starting a company
-I have good friends there
Do you have a job?
In short, no. I do not have a definite, already-existing j-o-b. However, the reason I am going there is to start a non-profit radio production company, called AudioLuxe (please disregard the shitty-ass graphics on this starter Web site) with my good friend Stacy. So that would be my main 'job.' There's also the prospect of getting the morning news director job at KQED, the NPR affiliate station where I interned and, if not, working my way into that station through filling-in.
And then there's always waiting tables...(preferrably with my East Bay crew, somewhere involving Guinness).
Do you have a place to live?
In short, no. Not yet. Two of my future roommates are already in the area scoping out the sitch...such is the relocation process.
I still have some more questions, but let me ask this one that I just thought of: Do you know what the F you're doing??
Yes.
Oh, OK. From the looks of your first two answers, it didn't seem to me like you have a "plan."
Well, I do. But thanks anyway, mom.
You're welcome. So how are you getting there?
I am driving cross country with my third roommate and fine SU-ski-team friend, Karen. We are going to have the most fun!
What about that marathon you were training for? I mean, we all gave you money and now wh...Actually, I'm flying back for the big race, which is Sunday, October 30th. After all this fundraising and training, I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Aren't you in a relationship? What's gonna happen with that?
Yes, and I'm not sure. Even though she's from there, Nicole is not moving back to that area at this time; she'll stay in DC a little while longer. However, I made the decision to do all this a while ago because I knew it was what I wanted to do. Whatever will be will be and I'm not worried about it.
Why are you letting your grandparents down like this? I mean, they really wanted you to move to Edenton and get a good job, plus they are the only ones who seem to know the real deal about San Francisco: that it's a dirty city full of crazy liberals, homeless people, drugs, gays and crime-ridden immigrants. Didn't you know that??
Until I see that San Francisco, I'll go on what I know. Which is that it's one of the best cities in the whole wide world.
Yep, that's right folks! San Francisco, to be exact.
In two weeks I'll be headin' out West--this time for at least a few years. It kind of came up fast but I'm super excited and have a weird calmness that everything will work out.
FAQs:
Why?
-After living there, around the world and in various East Coast locations, I've decided that the Bay Area is the place for me right now: chill/diverse peeps, lots to do, diverse array of outdoor activities, good food, big farmers' markets.
-I am starting a company
-I have good friends there
Do you have a job?
In short, no. I do not have a definite, already-existing j-o-b. However, the reason I am going there is to start a non-profit radio production company, called AudioLuxe (please disregard the shitty-ass graphics on this starter Web site) with my good friend Stacy. So that would be my main 'job.' There's also the prospect of getting the morning news director job at KQED, the NPR affiliate station where I interned and, if not, working my way into that station through filling-in.
And then there's always waiting tables...(preferrably with my East Bay crew, somewhere involving Guinness).
Do you have a place to live?
In short, no. Not yet. Two of my future roommates are already in the area scoping out the sitch...such is the relocation process.
I still have some more questions, but let me ask this one that I just thought of: Do you know what the F you're doing??
Yes.
Oh, OK. From the looks of your first two answers, it didn't seem to me like you have a "plan."
Well, I do. But thanks anyway, mom.
You're welcome. So how are you getting there?
I am driving cross country with my third roommate and fine SU-ski-team friend, Karen. We are going to have the most fun!
What about that marathon you were training for? I mean, we all gave you money and now wh...Actually, I'm flying back for the big race, which is Sunday, October 30th. After all this fundraising and training, I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Aren't you in a relationship? What's gonna happen with that?
Yes, and I'm not sure. Even though she's from there, Nicole is not moving back to that area at this time; she'll stay in DC a little while longer. However, I made the decision to do all this a while ago because I knew it was what I wanted to do. Whatever will be will be and I'm not worried about it.
Why are you letting your grandparents down like this? I mean, they really wanted you to move to Edenton and get a good job, plus they are the only ones who seem to know the real deal about San Francisco: that it's a dirty city full of crazy liberals, homeless people, drugs, gays and crime-ridden immigrants. Didn't you know that??
Until I see that San Francisco, I'll go on what I know. Which is that it's one of the best cities in the whole wide world.
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