tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86709217769482195562024-03-12T20:51:00.113-06:00Contributing to the ConversationClairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-86634262862621797782012-10-26T17:31:00.001-06:002012-10-26T17:33:29.817-06:00Things I LikeI recently saw a friend post a long list of things he liked. This friend typically complains or is upset in his posts, so it was nice to see something different. But most importantly, I learned more about him in that short list than in the years I had known him.<br />
<br />
So, in ode to my friend, here's a list of things I like:<br />
<br />
I like warm rains in Chicago. I like the wind. I like long walks in fresh air. I like text messages. I like laughing. I like it when I work really hard at something and am recognized for it. I like sports. I like sitting next to a field and watching random people play a game on a nice afternoon. I like fishing. I like reading. I <i>love</i> Lake Powell. I like water. I like lazy Sunday mornings where you can play oldies on the radio and dance in the kitchen. I like taking risks. I like hiking. I like being alone. I like the feeling when airplanes take off and land, and even when there's turbulence (otherwise flights are boring as hell). I like people-watching on the train. I like to screen calls—it makes me feel important. I like planning, even for things that will never happen. I like <a href="https://twitter.com/clairev04">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ClaireV04">Facebook</a>, and Instagram (<a href="http://pinterest.com/clairev04/">Pinterest</a> is still growing on me). I like it when my boyfriend says the full "I love you" rather than just "love you."(Speaking of the bf, I just screened his call. Ha!) I like freaking out sometimes because it means that I care. I like my family. I like my friends. I like shopping for workout clothes. I like pedicures. I like cars. I like motorcycles. I like my bicycle. I like the color green. I like my eyes.<br />
<br />
I could go on and on, but that's a good list for now. This little exercise has made me smile, and I like smiling to myself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0pbpHHR1N_MAgNgFGvVJ8_TYVnnvBLSvm4Fn4D1YmXdQDkDdlAeYpLDzLk3kgOHjR2NTGW7R0o0D-D55TiHEKQUHVPrJ7QSXIFqc53uIjYyCvOYsZh534v5RbK5n_1k4nWeYAGFw22Dm/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0pbpHHR1N_MAgNgFGvVJ8_TYVnnvBLSvm4Fn4D1YmXdQDkDdlAeYpLDzLk3kgOHjR2NTGW7R0o0D-D55TiHEKQUHVPrJ7QSXIFqc53uIjYyCvOYsZh534v5RbK5n_1k4nWeYAGFw22Dm/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also like snowflakes. Tiffany's anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-54616536027058652082012-10-09T11:00:00.000-06:002012-10-26T17:35:45.151-06:00If I had style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have notoriously been a person with no style. In Colorado I lived in jeans and old soccer t-shirts. Not kidding. I looked horrible<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7133059687912464" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span></b>all the time. The good thing is that I blended right in!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But in Chicago I've been trying to make more of an effort. Mostly because I work with some <i>gorgeous </i>people<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7133059687912464" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span></b>welcome to advertising<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7133059687912464" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span></b>and I don't want to be that frumpy girl in the corner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are a few of my recent efforts to look presentable in the big city. Sorry for the weird and blurry bathroom shots.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thoughts? Feelings? Suggestions for improvement?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S3Di4xA90XRU9jKR_mdnBo2bag99ZQGrR8fHqb4OlfGgD7bdA0ZNUWmOlTzl_d2b7oAfT3z0EUdxPBE5RgM3joNwpPUhJT8Sl1QXOqE7aHMi_5gBDbKoobQShUCkZfHVIu5Lju4shDp-/s1600/photo(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S3Di4xA90XRU9jKR_mdnBo2bag99ZQGrR8fHqb4OlfGgD7bdA0ZNUWmOlTzl_d2b7oAfT3z0EUdxPBE5RgM3joNwpPUhJT8Sl1QXOqE7aHMi_5gBDbKoobQShUCkZfHVIu5Lju4shDp-/s320/photo(6).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKltvD8xNjJknhC6UzuXddArmqh_nI7o20o1FMlSZuBe8pxiNaGgyZfQIWU4Y0o85o2ebdR6sNnw2aI_hShFjm01-h6hYVCNTJAcVsVV8H1BmC51ZB9GFcb2T6bnccGUXPiLPen8uIAW0A/s1600/photo(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKltvD8xNjJknhC6UzuXddArmqh_nI7o20o1FMlSZuBe8pxiNaGgyZfQIWU4Y0o85o2ebdR6sNnw2aI_hShFjm01-h6hYVCNTJAcVsVV8H1BmC51ZB9GFcb2T6bnccGUXPiLPen8uIAW0A/s320/photo(4).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXWEGnzJlio1x3zzFUcrqMgwjdfFvegtxOmKqSK1Zt8V4UdqcRvHm2qru6-fTMChSutTO0f58mYbngdPitprov_dcp-WGBA45Cuh9evg0uEan12NVmeDlXuYJhyphenhyphenjA-8VCWWU7AGydR8b1/s1600/photo(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXWEGnzJlio1x3zzFUcrqMgwjdfFvegtxOmKqSK1Zt8V4UdqcRvHm2qru6-fTMChSutTO0f58mYbngdPitprov_dcp-WGBA45Cuh9evg0uEan12NVmeDlXuYJhyphenhyphenjA-8VCWWU7AGydR8b1/s320/photo(7).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MuAKdPDAV3zhZERiHzpFM_1fyKNwbT6tI0hxm7MsZWmJd1P4XXn0kstn3VKJLLBtB-SeykRHJVm159QEUlf7vXNeCU1M5CjLYf6izjYJtZpiSQzMn5164iJNW51AHifabOo_s3mGWddy/s640/blogger-image-1172730478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MuAKdPDAV3zhZERiHzpFM_1fyKNwbT6tI0hxm7MsZWmJd1P4XXn0kstn3VKJLLBtB-SeykRHJVm159QEUlf7vXNeCU1M5CjLYf6izjYJtZpiSQzMn5164iJNW51AHifabOo_s3mGWddy/s320/blogger-image-1172730478.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzhhzlNq7-JDttPNBo2NekMqKGyCfAckii7Zb6bXdSAEGlWoxDB9yoHinIYUlZHbSBc90dfl6YihG5l1NAiqYAVIrwWxuvKSKxSDezXxFCUFeQzZrVv4JuhSVQuN5A_CxeW0sCZ79TqYs/s640/blogger-image-1077677049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzhhzlNq7-JDttPNBo2NekMqKGyCfAckii7Zb6bXdSAEGlWoxDB9yoHinIYUlZHbSBc90dfl6YihG5l1NAiqYAVIrwWxuvKSKxSDezXxFCUFeQzZrVv4JuhSVQuN5A_CxeW0sCZ79TqYs/s320/blogger-image-1077677049.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR55GHN41ocvLcqepzKk3fN4SXjDMBzmeOiwq4u9Uf-mmwPOd2Bw9Ap10-EWwTXlqMv2aif0OHKE1RWPU2WjzCDKcyjEJpuEDW2xOlleBYmEWKlRtu3myoUrG3XnEakIWS1vpUHMyKi7W/s640/blogger-image-593723718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR55GHN41ocvLcqepzKk3fN4SXjDMBzmeOiwq4u9Uf-mmwPOd2Bw9Ap10-EWwTXlqMv2aif0OHKE1RWPU2WjzCDKcyjEJpuEDW2xOlleBYmEWKlRtu3myoUrG3XnEakIWS1vpUHMyKi7W/s320/blogger-image-593723718.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9d0AsWXyzZKoEDBtOn_NXhkMnzH9QRPKVv8kV_Onq6qJWRHoXq4vh84UdrM5uOWtdkaLfMxivmfyPMpdzIocaFS4xGp_KJwpehQANCJB59kg9NSybQqxc0zCPPP3rBW-AgZ78Ni1JUAt/s640/blogger-image--296344645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9d0AsWXyzZKoEDBtOn_NXhkMnzH9QRPKVv8kV_Onq6qJWRHoXq4vh84UdrM5uOWtdkaLfMxivmfyPMpdzIocaFS4xGp_KJwpehQANCJB59kg9NSybQqxc0zCPPP3rBW-AgZ78Ni1JUAt/s320/blogger-image--296344645.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4wKSyXEgQLSu2n76-N0tzRpPa4FqSqP0gPsK6rkUDnGp-CzDhT9YFMbND_8vkkz5h7dpXezJTXAXHFSuUwaYS8a3JX65_PB5G4sS_p9rbk4AQjvB3yj0gGqnjiGAoduGPyxaiCh40Tjs/s640/blogger-image-1852683747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4wKSyXEgQLSu2n76-N0tzRpPa4FqSqP0gPsK6rkUDnGp-CzDhT9YFMbND_8vkkz5h7dpXezJTXAXHFSuUwaYS8a3JX65_PB5G4sS_p9rbk4AQjvB3yj0gGqnjiGAoduGPyxaiCh40Tjs/s320/blogger-image-1852683747.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-50575811752756201482012-10-08T19:42:00.000-06:002012-10-08T19:47:52.620-06:00Post-Marathon Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, I'm alive. Barely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, the race didn't go very well. Turns out that you have to actually train for a marathon. In my two marathons, I've now made every rookie and veteran mistake imaginable.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1.) Rookie mistake: I trained well but went out way too fast and bombed at the end of the race.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2.) Veteran mistake: I figured I had this whole marathon thing down and didn't train---like, at all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wisconsin marathon time (5/5/12): 4:24:46</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chicago marathon time (10/7/12): 5:19:29</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Almost an hour slower. Wow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm disappointed. I'm not happy with my time but I have to admit that this was a very humbling experience. Turns out that if you want to do well, you have to actually train for it. It's a good metaphor for life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I kind of scoffed at the "slower" runners before. But now I know: Every mile is a battle, whether or not you're fast or slow. In fact, I'm now a firm believer that slow runners have to fight for longer and are therefore stronger people.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Despite my time, I still had fun! <a href="http://contributingtoconversations.blogspot.com/2012/10/pre-marathon-thoughts.html">My 5 goals</a> remained in my head and I have to admit that they got me through the race. I really enjoyed the course and I made sure to keep my head up and enjoy the crowds and the energy of it. Chicago really is a great city and the marathon highlighted the best parts of it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My two favorite signs seen on the race course:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1.) Do Epic Shit</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2.) You've been training for this longer than Kim Kardashian was married</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, I'm going to learn a few lessons, pick my head up, and keep going. Marathons take guts and commitment and pride. And so, I'm proud of myself.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW9Np5Fn_h16yj8ZbCmIRWvf9Mp2yHskO72ZupRhHi3HWb4o949obpEC2UOISqzoRfsFSWrNB-KZQTBBm5nARK5FaIcbCDGH4hoAdo_oiQFQTQPbQ0wVEn541ZMuxr4CvTDq5zq1zGgr1/s640/blogger-image-1223599907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW9Np5Fn_h16yj8ZbCmIRWvf9Mp2yHskO72ZupRhHi3HWb4o949obpEC2UOISqzoRfsFSWrNB-KZQTBBm5nARK5FaIcbCDGH4hoAdo_oiQFQTQPbQ0wVEn541ZMuxr4CvTDq5zq1zGgr1/s200/blogger-image-1223599907.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean and I on race morning! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZOtlWkfaLv7QPyacaCSKYfarj4Vc7ZAH-zUTPgMlEICxDT2bqUqR1sFjEnLHj-sl_KZ3BdHaKMCM210uO8o9xGOHXxORhANG7snp6P3b8G24eG_uiHJ5gsfdBqKiHQ33ZiWDnQVCW2vq/s640/blogger-image-632231666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZOtlWkfaLv7QPyacaCSKYfarj4Vc7ZAH-zUTPgMlEICxDT2bqUqR1sFjEnLHj-sl_KZ3BdHaKMCM210uO8o9xGOHXxORhANG7snp6P3b8G24eG_uiHJ5gsfdBqKiHQ33ZiWDnQVCW2vq/s200/blogger-image-632231666.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blisters after the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7XzpMaIrfDQhD84QtmO49I43aa90kHgoJHkx2V1tJ0k1sb03rvOAb6zjlxoUzxC7Os6cFq0B0aKm6FcO1ZFNbDbuqb7093W91n5v2tKtTJh6hvEMwjRdbpCZIw2p3apLRVKfrAEDVQmb/s640/blogger-image-702892303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7XzpMaIrfDQhD84QtmO49I43aa90kHgoJHkx2V1tJ0k1sb03rvOAb6zjlxoUzxC7Os6cFq0B0aKm6FcO1ZFNbDbuqb7093W91n5v2tKtTJh6hvEMwjRdbpCZIw2p3apLRVKfrAEDVQmb/s200/blogger-image-702892303.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race Chinese food!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-65392674060838873592012-10-06T11:20:00.001-06:002012-10-08T21:13:51.013-06:00Pre-Marathon ThoughtsThe Chicago Marathon is tomorrow. Wow. Wow. <br />
<br />
I have not been looking forward to this marathon. My summer training, in one word, sucked. The heat and humidity really bothered me and I am going into this undertrained. <br />
<br />
But I got excited for the race yesterday. Really excited. All of my friends were asking about it. My office even put together and signed a good luck card for me! I was so amazed and flattered by their support. <br />
<br />
My first marathon (the Wisconsin Marathon in May) was small. I was running with only a handful of people for a lot of it. But Chicago? The Chicago Marathon is huge. And I'm learning that the whole city gets behind you! Everyone comes out and watches it. My friends who aren't running the race will be making signs and following my progress with some pretty cool racing apps (check out RacerChaser). <br />
<br />
So, yes, I'm getting excited. Finally. <br />
<br />
I went to a talk about last-minute marathon tips. Coach Mark said to come up with 5 goals---even if one of the goals is getting to the start line. So, Coach Mark, here are my 5 marathon goals:<br />
<br />
1. Get to the starting line<br />
2. Get to mile 5<br />
3. Get to mile 13<br />
4. Don't worry about the time. Run/walk as I see fit. No watches.<br />
5. Head up. Smile. Enjoy it. <br />
<br />
Chicago, I heart you. See y'all out there!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuMWKAI6nQqMUvCb7tGvBm9VweMF3MEFhszGCorqKi9x81KQ4GJ82UkQWSCsPqrD1XOEk9DCGO6uf6V6Wj3jm1Cpx76KvjJGzG6Uhe7YJb1Yb33kzMhuPr9BFEgeev7RXKASvTqIpgG0G/s640/blogger-image--1628649627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuMWKAI6nQqMUvCb7tGvBm9VweMF3MEFhszGCorqKi9x81KQ4GJ82UkQWSCsPqrD1XOEk9DCGO6uf6V6Wj3jm1Cpx76KvjJGzG6Uhe7YJb1Yb33kzMhuPr9BFEgeev7RXKASvTqIpgG0G/s320/blogger-image--1628649627.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race bib</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuotmi_99plTTI1dNLArugh6csGhj6xsXT-kAfoHrGervGdiLRey68tTqmh1Xupert8USFSKeccFZsjXlvh36zgSW5KvWR79o34VrnrTB5bjwZfFxk07_-WljjM2bW0hN3q7vys1tiYq2q/s640/blogger-image-1186453107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuotmi_99plTTI1dNLArugh6csGhj6xsXT-kAfoHrGervGdiLRey68tTqmh1Xupert8USFSKeccFZsjXlvh36zgSW5KvWR79o34VrnrTB5bjwZfFxk07_-WljjM2bW0hN3q7vys1tiYq2q/s320/blogger-image-1186453107.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good luck card from my company! I love my job!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-10553902978774537972012-09-29T21:57:00.001-06:002012-09-29T22:25:00.096-06:00Long-distance relationship<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozNxCURuVgknO6kH-X72aynK-RQcC1aBhjyzitYivhI8ApVaxRaD3t4M9K_Rx5tnE3FrxTHmIYxEp-FF_LMg53P3ojs5BLBQAXvBBozefwFXaJDcVB5MHjdlaBMCAGhYUzX1AHkDkHGaC/s640/blogger-image-1064098505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozNxCURuVgknO6kH-X72aynK-RQcC1aBhjyzitYivhI8ApVaxRaD3t4M9K_Rx5tnE3FrxTHmIYxEp-FF_LMg53P3ojs5BLBQAXvBBozefwFXaJDcVB5MHjdlaBMCAGhYUzX1AHkDkHGaC/s320/blogger-image-1064098505.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Andrew and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My boyfriend is great. He is so good to me. He texts me in the morning and says I'm beautiful and gorgeous. He calls me every day, often after work and then again before bed. He's not afraid to say "I love you" on the phone even when surrounded by his soccer buddies. (That freaks me out more than him.)<br />
<br />
But there are a few times when he calls that I don't pick up. I don't want to talk. Talking just makes our dysfunctional relationship a reality. It's easier to hide behind texts. We've been dating for almost a year and a half, but only six weeks of that have we lived in the same state. <br />
<br />
I don't want to talk because it tells me the obvious---that I don't know anything.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, when he calls...<br />
<ul>
<li>I don't want to go through the obligatory, "How was your day?" question and answer session</li>
<li>I don't want to go through the awkward silences as we're both doing something else while on the phone</li>
<li>I don't want to have to ask, "What? What??" when I can't hear him because a bus is driving by or I'm witnessing a car accident while walking home</li>
<li>I don't want him to repeatedly say, "I've gotta go, can I call you back?" because he's working his second job or going to class</li>
</ul>
But more importantly,<br />
<ul>
<li>I don't know when I'll see him again</li>
<li>I don't know his daily routines</li>
<li>I don't know what makes his eyes light up on a low-key Sunday afternoon</li>
<li>I don't know what he likes in his coffee or his favorite breakfast food</li>
<li>I don't know his body language when it has been a good day or even an especially bad day</li>
<li>I don't know his true hopes and dreams. You know, the ones that we keep well hidden and are revealed bit by bit over time</li>
<li>I don't know if I can ever come back to Colorado and not cry (maybe if that happens, I'll be ready to move)</li>
<li>I don't know the future for us</li>
</ul>
But despite all of this.... despite the difficulty of long-distance.... I couldn't imagine being with anyone else. And that's what it really comes down to.<br />
<br />
So, for now, shhhhhhh. <b>Let's not talk about it.</b><br />
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-27329162507076498972012-08-31T12:28:00.000-06:002012-08-31T12:32:41.194-06:00Book Review: The Chosen Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguw1WP1Nox8QV9wf51Gk8FfB-F5zrHzELQPaDbLd8KBGxGbAQDVUORGdzJIdokAa8PUs1qUECdBfRggd8WrMGZ0fdwIScOgtoRVRBbQS1Z7xdAAV07p0nj6KLZ_TgQbpasftoIjtHc_l61/s1600/Chosen" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguw1WP1Nox8QV9wf51Gk8FfB-F5zrHzELQPaDbLd8KBGxGbAQDVUORGdzJIdokAa8PUs1qUECdBfRggd8WrMGZ0fdwIScOgtoRVRBbQS1Z7xdAAV07p0nj6KLZ_TgQbpasftoIjtHc_l61/s1600/Chosen" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7SXemMucN92vd4bOBMESq5DfuIlyW3Ef3R5u7xY3bgGn-Q9YZsdovFYLbfkSKKSAo_m2XpStncaQmQ42rlnuFNXLOdld6wSVIkrRFyYyFGie06AD5OWY_gCF6UceNQNldZawjkYqKzBs/s1600/Sacrifice" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7SXemMucN92vd4bOBMESq5DfuIlyW3Ef3R5u7xY3bgGn-Q9YZsdovFYLbfkSKKSAo_m2XpStncaQmQ42rlnuFNXLOdld6wSVIkrRFyYyFGie06AD5OWY_gCF6UceNQNldZawjkYqKzBs/s1600/Sacrifice" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxBkla5RqHWYYWm5-jlFuxTdvHnCnwjiGvpsLMjUCRZqeZzoRSiQDDcSm3AfW44XBoFOF2Nd25ccNIvnhsCvEvJQzRJ0nd9IVTdPcqFQu4kAZ6Nq4tsV_L-PAAzZaxl9SxQYJwF-XDong/s1600/Hunted" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxBkla5RqHWYYWm5-jlFuxTdvHnCnwjiGvpsLMjUCRZqeZzoRSiQDDcSm3AfW44XBoFOF2Nd25ccNIvnhsCvEvJQzRJ0nd9IVTdPcqFQu4kAZ6Nq4tsV_L-PAAzZaxl9SxQYJwF-XDong/s1600/Hunted" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
recently read books 1-3 of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Denise-Grover-Swank/dp/1463692463/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346436290&sr=8-3&keywords=the+chosen+series"><i>The Chosen Series</i> by Denise Grover Swank</a>.
They were recommended to me by as a fun and quick read. But the real
reason I picked them up is because my brother was reading them. He
rarely, if ever, reads. Naturally I had to find out what captured his
attention!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The books are titled </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Chosen</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Hunted</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Sacrifice</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Basically,
the stories follow Emma, her son Jake, and the man who soon fills their
life, Will. I don’t want to give too much away, but in a very basic
summary they are seemingly every-day humans who become caught up in an
centuries-old elemental battle.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
really like the character development---Will is a lot more interesting
than Emma---and the overall storyline. Authors, take note: If you want
to win me over then have solid character development. I want to
practically see each character front of me! I want to know what they look like,
how they move, how they act, how they think---and, most importantly,
how I can relate to them.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back
to the series. The elemental part is also an interesting take on
things. It’s a fantasy without moving into a new world. The books are a fast read, filled with action, and they keep you hanging over a cliff and
clamoring on to the next title.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That
said, the imagination does fall flat with all the get-away scenes. I
mean, really, how many car chases can there be? I swear there’s one
every chapter. The author tried to break things up and throw in an
airplane getaway, but that was too much of a stretch. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Book
four, titled </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Redemption</i>,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is not out yet, which is good and bad. I’d like to keep reading
but stepping away from the series is nice too. Sometimes you need a
breather from even the good things.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My
overall take is that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>The Chosen</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> series is a quick and fun read. When
you start, be sure to have books two and three next to you because this
author rocks at making you want to jump through the series!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I leave for Lake Powell in a week, so I hope to be able to conquer a few books while I’m out there. Reviews will come.</span></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-5945871152441904042012-08-28T09:47:00.000-06:002012-08-28T09:51:52.678-06:00The BetI recently got a free health screening at work and they sent me a 32-page “heath profile.” Although most of the blood work results were mumbo jumbo to me, the profile was still able to peg me pretty well.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHos9KvdsGPhkM8fdqO_aG5DyZK9AQYRbCTSR0c8I05hyphenhyphend8F38D2v8DwbmFA8PEK1hdc-6zOvDfrTrWWoR9ZWIGdaXKDYwWMZ8h_AXWEzljH45Ub8NzRKKCpvzC6rxQbNQCG2i0GM_sm5_/s1600/Health+Profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHos9KvdsGPhkM8fdqO_aG5DyZK9AQYRbCTSR0c8I05hyphenhyphend8F38D2v8DwbmFA8PEK1hdc-6zOvDfrTrWWoR9ZWIGdaXKDYwWMZ8h_AXWEzljH45Ub8NzRKKCpvzC6rxQbNQCG2i0GM_sm5_/s320/Health+Profile.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area of Interest: Nutrition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Generally, I’m healthy but I need to work on my nutrition.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">No surprise there. I’ve known this for a while. I try to eat better each and every day. I pack my lunch for work almost every morning and I try not to keep ice cream in the house. However, if I have a craving or see any stray cookies in the office then GAME. OVER.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7kvZZAklbs0E7bcUsjiU7iUSaYdrxb8vbkZ7MFX5rP7Piyv6Rc4tncbVTjf7ASbPgrlUAJkc5AXZZhe9yGWfM_D4QttDKgXv-Q01mcEswK3UYP5bcNgJ6M4Fr_xqR7SzZw_0QVOu7Ih-/s1600/Lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7kvZZAklbs0E7bcUsjiU7iUSaYdrxb8vbkZ7MFX5rP7Piyv6Rc4tncbVTjf7ASbPgrlUAJkc5AXZZhe9yGWfM_D4QttDKgXv-Q01mcEswK3UYP5bcNgJ6M4Fr_xqR7SzZw_0QVOu7Ih-/s320/Lunch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed lunch. This little lunch bag is the best thing I've ever bought. Ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Considering how much I work out, I should be a lot skinnier than I am. And this is not a woe-is-me statement nor am I fishing for compliments. I’m saying the truth; looking from the outside in. I need to build muscle and lose fat.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So, my sister-in-law and I---via text message---started a bet. The terms are:</span><br />
<ul>
<li>We both have to lose 20 pounds by Christmas (which is about 17-weeks away, calculating to a little over a pound a week)</li>
<li>On the line is $250. Whoever doesn’t lose the weight has to pay the other person $250</li>
</ul>
This sounds impulsive, but it is all very strategic. Here’s our thinking:<br />
<ul>
<li>$250 is enough money to be damn good motivation. We can both afford to lose it, but not without a fight!!</li>
<li>We are both good with our workouts, but where we fail is our diets. So, the goals are to focus on good dieting, calorie control, and clean eating while still working out</li>
<li>We are both competitive. Very competitive</li>
</ul>
Everyone talks about clean eating. It shouldn’t be so hard, right? Right? Well, three days into the diet we have both been fighting headaches. I feel like I'm having a harder time than she is. Not fair! Processed food is an addiction, y’all!!! An addiction!!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And, to be honest, I’m really struggling this morning. I’m hungry. I want white flour. And salt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">But instead I’m going to eat my oatmeal with chia seeds and strawberries (really yummy, actually!), drink my green tea, and continue to repeat this mantra: $250. $250. $250. $250. $250.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOGLTKa1mf_uMDyOMyAENfviIWVvetJBiqYiFwi8WQi9tprkzX8QC1Br4cp-tUiSoa6-pt1Or2uU4rSkBUqej1PdeBIXb-0ZsPIHD-BvCRqlYXm9YnKPkE0YUs2JTxJjIEeyghqXjlQIv/s1600/Whole+Foods+Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOGLTKa1mf_uMDyOMyAENfviIWVvetJBiqYiFwi8WQi9tprkzX8QC1Br4cp-tUiSoa6-pt1Or2uU4rSkBUqej1PdeBIXb-0ZsPIHD-BvCRqlYXm9YnKPkE0YUs2JTxJjIEeyghqXjlQIv/s320/Whole+Foods+Salad.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whole Foods salad for dinner last night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-69848322970128323972012-08-20T09:57:00.001-06:002012-08-20T09:59:13.715-06:00Instagramming and Running I went on a long run on Saturday.<br />
<br />
I knocked out 12-miles along my favorite route---heading south on the Lakefront Path.<br />
<br />
My run consisted of Instagramming (is that a verb?) more than running and it was the most fun I've had in a long time. (Ahem, loser.)<br />
<br />
Join in on the fun! For your viewing pleasure:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHeZnrPkQOmBJqS37oFuGniGBkK0jacY8fcwZqyAImuOK8CYGZ5DRKsTkGCIomIQMXutsEpSkWELkG4XkUXy2P88Hpe4oUa-v1GUXyI4OOdvRMsqV3D4tzNwNjAYk72WB0sjKCTw-Ao_0/s1600/Chicago+Skyline.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHeZnrPkQOmBJqS37oFuGniGBkK0jacY8fcwZqyAImuOK8CYGZ5DRKsTkGCIomIQMXutsEpSkWELkG4XkUXy2P88Hpe4oUa-v1GUXyI4OOdvRMsqV3D4tzNwNjAYk72WB0sjKCTw-Ao_0/s320/Chicago+Skyline.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago skyline from the Shedd Aquarium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBWgF0MgMuvpHUionD530OGeM4Unz0roFuC-SGzRdUS-k5dgk2We62P7od4ZPSiciJBpc8neINwlnbKP1prWGqcGBAgjSl0MU2ydWlOhPzFfeoikzDJiTYCEeS8G1ei6_wMol0qWFx92x/s1600/Soldier+Field.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBWgF0MgMuvpHUionD530OGeM4Unz0roFuC-SGzRdUS-k5dgk2We62P7od4ZPSiciJBpc8neINwlnbKP1prWGqcGBAgjSl0MU2ydWlOhPzFfeoikzDJiTYCEeS8G1ei6_wMol0qWFx92x/s320/Soldier+Field.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldier Field<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSGsc3UzrffjeZCFOWJcQuU15LC32vdr3d0iBviNFwoQFgT-YzyUdg7AYhe07kFg1md7X8pMF0BfC7VkxSXoHb3PbRio68cLwgXazNk04oz1v6PiYh8V701g-xk0rVWZkBBORjaOzH51w/s1600/Flags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSGsc3UzrffjeZCFOWJcQuU15LC32vdr3d0iBviNFwoQFgT-YzyUdg7AYhe07kFg1md7X8pMF0BfC7VkxSXoHb3PbRio68cLwgXazNk04oz1v6PiYh8V701g-xk0rVWZkBBORjaOzH51w/s320/Flags.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flags at a memorial for fire fighters<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMU8ndyZ3FCc5M-vUcXKYoaJVKRjD9P_hA6O5VQ82yz7SoqwTUcZ-ypP29Fz2G-Nej6nY9ljTh7qwec5XoVIE0gJ21xued1REmC_yMilcKNvWeLbNkYTHQ6-yZs3bKA2MdlT0OCjOxrRj/s1600/Chicago+Sailboat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMU8ndyZ3FCc5M-vUcXKYoaJVKRjD9P_hA6O5VQ82yz7SoqwTUcZ-ypP29Fz2G-Nej6nY9ljTh7qwec5XoVIE0gJ21xued1REmC_yMilcKNvWeLbNkYTHQ6-yZs3bKA2MdlT0OCjOxrRj/s320/Chicago+Sailboat.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailboat in the harbor. This boat had a full, uniformed crew. So cool!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGC0hi1I_kwJs8C5TuQL1_p8JsjY09f-QeSnLLB-H4HupM7lsLHrSOcXIbnwmkb27uzG_rQN6amGIDD-NuiUVn7mqVOacaMnxMGOHtJuWaYOoruYpfjpLltfcTSaD7-LIbSA5VDh-P2CF/s1600/Chicago+Yacht.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGC0hi1I_kwJs8C5TuQL1_p8JsjY09f-QeSnLLB-H4HupM7lsLHrSOcXIbnwmkb27uzG_rQN6amGIDD-NuiUVn7mqVOacaMnxMGOHtJuWaYOoruYpfjpLltfcTSaD7-LIbSA5VDh-P2CF/s320/Chicago+Yacht.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago Yacht. I'll take one, please. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-41961097798047577492012-08-15T17:39:00.001-06:002012-08-15T17:39:34.094-06:00LazyLaziness begets laziness---and I have been laaaaaaazy.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lazy - a: disinclined to activity or exertion : not energetic or vigorous; b: encouraging inactivity or indolence </span></blockquote>
See exhibits a, b, and c below for a full description of my life right now. Except, add food in each. Lots and lots of food.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIVIUXgj7HA4dV4D4Vr6i2B4lvk5q2FzNjEULOeYOFMKTb40F6heW5sR5B1MSAl4AaJN3GTkAmb4UFgTdtPitLO7VIFftguJb0EJf8Csh_-qDF2dorVDZGLKapsXJcjBrMSWAibtJi8aJ/s1600/lazy+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIVIUXgj7HA4dV4D4Vr6i2B4lvk5q2FzNjEULOeYOFMKTb40F6heW5sR5B1MSAl4AaJN3GTkAmb4UFgTdtPitLO7VIFftguJb0EJf8Csh_-qDF2dorVDZGLKapsXJcjBrMSWAibtJi8aJ/s320/lazy+dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm8NAlZ2cvszE1xxkLmpr4AHWjWsE6Qm-Ib7bTJR201LqxF9VMIuLcR1-nfPvisIfLzExGUipD9d77VjRG-_5wH8zI5UG7iCKbiHw6OiErhAfo9symWaoaiIeQZYYcGWZkBaOLWNHypLL/s1600/lazy+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm8NAlZ2cvszE1xxkLmpr4AHWjWsE6Qm-Ib7bTJR201LqxF9VMIuLcR1-nfPvisIfLzExGUipD9d77VjRG-_5wH8zI5UG7iCKbiHw6OiErhAfo9symWaoaiIeQZYYcGWZkBaOLWNHypLL/s320/lazy+line.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WP2DicERxiQse8p9U1eC01VJeVLHLOqMtBooiRjh3WNr7i3nCyIwBH7Xe5_ZK9KIfsm9P7nkeb_qXwDT6_NtTwaIWJRIyVdAMJ2dOfbw08WVpJer7Wz2Q_HTgkEahTluB5iQ-CpX3CDT/s1600/lazy+number.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WP2DicERxiQse8p9U1eC01VJeVLHLOqMtBooiRjh3WNr7i3nCyIwBH7Xe5_ZK9KIfsm9P7nkeb_qXwDT6_NtTwaIWJRIyVdAMJ2dOfbw08WVpJer7Wz2Q_HTgkEahTluB5iQ-CpX3CDT/s320/lazy+number.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-4244214619605526602012-08-14T14:23:00.001-06:002012-08-14T14:24:35.620-06:00Book Review: The Big Sleep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiQzEWyLphVtVGlWLa29B4JQf9apYoKXITxhfMNik6j2aA2INAN9v5j83C8xN1O5W2Z8_3FrRO09OjyIzKpGMehc2-l29eKrEQnfU8_dtcBchvC2ASMNjOy7os_7Z_LEpTZI06xsZT0L8/s1600/The-Big-Sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiQzEWyLphVtVGlWLa29B4JQf9apYoKXITxhfMNik6j2aA2INAN9v5j83C8xN1O5W2Z8_3FrRO09OjyIzKpGMehc2-l29eKrEQnfU8_dtcBchvC2ASMNjOy7os_7Z_LEpTZI06xsZT0L8/s320/The-Big-Sleep.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For book club we recently read <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Sleep-Raymond-Chandler/dp/0394758285">The Big Sleep</a></i> by Raymond Chandler. Published in 1939, It is considered one of the classic murder-mystery novels.<br />
<br />
This book was my choice. I chose it mostly because I looooove Humphrey Bogart in the movie adaptation and I wanted an excuse to watch the movie again. If you haven't seen the movie, watch it. Watch it now. The Big Sleep isn't on Netflix (WTF, Netflix?!?) but it is available to "rent" on Amazon for $2.99. The link is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Sleep-Snap-case/dp/B00002E227/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344630139&sr=8-1&keywords=the+big+sleep+movie" target="_blank">here</a>. And no, your tv/computer/iPad isn't broken---the movie is in black and white.<br />
<br />
I liked the book. I thought it was well done. This is saying a lot because I typically don't like mysteries. I often find the plot too complicated and way over my head. Then I feel like a big dummy. I may be a big dummy, but authors, please don't make your readers feel like dummies.<br />
<br />
Chandler was very descriptive, which I like. I like being able to picture the whole room, the developing scene, and the people within it. However, there was a tendency to be slightly too descriptive. Phillip Marlowe was looking through his mail---specifically, two pieces of junk mail. Is that pertinent to the story or case? No? Then leave out the junk mail part, please.<br />
<br />
The book was good, but I actually liked the movie adaptation better (gasp!!!). Besides my love for Humphrey Bogart, I think the script pulled out the best parts of the plot, played up the love story, and let the weird parts slip away peacefully. Thank you, William Faulkner (famous American writer and the film's screenwriter)! You're the best!<br />
<br />
There were a few lines in the book that I loved. Great writing, very intimate, and straight to the point.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dead men are heavier than broken hearts.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I got out my office bottle and took the drink and let my self respect ride its own race.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can have a hangover from other things than alcohol. I had one from women.</span></blockquote>
Sexy and yet oh, so cool.<br />
<br />
For next month's book club we're changing gears and reading <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Matter-Kansas-Conservatives-America/dp/0805073396">What's the Matter with Kansas?</a> </i>by Thomas Frank.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-81178468311223583942012-08-13T15:39:00.001-06:002012-08-14T14:24:16.303-06:00Cursed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCg_uBYlz3558LTQhnXP0K8Asrnc9-st3_YY2laGIxuOaEDn5aBf334I2hApo_n0eFfQCUI_7NNHtSqNySEijKvL2gJ_7jqqAmZkt-7ZsN9Ravqw8Bq7NGAwUJmcUxj7QEY7qyx_Eh8EBF/s1600/Run" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCg_uBYlz3558LTQhnXP0K8Asrnc9-st3_YY2laGIxuOaEDn5aBf334I2hApo_n0eFfQCUI_7NNHtSqNySEijKvL2gJ_7jqqAmZkt-7ZsN9Ravqw8Bq7NGAwUJmcUxj7QEY7qyx_Eh8EBF/s320/Run" width="213" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8229110324755311" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My summer marathon training is cursed. Cursed, I tell you!</span></span></b><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday morning I woke up at 4:30 am all gung-ho and ready to conquer 15 miles. I even laid out my running clothes the night before. </span></span></b><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then I was instantly doubled over, sick.</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, yeah. I didn’t run Saturday. But as soon as I felt better I managed to go to yoga!</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Sunday I ventured out on my own and ran 6 miles. Hurrah! I know that 6 miles isn’t </span></b><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">even close to the 15 miles on my training schedule, but considering that I haven’t run for weeks (not kidding, it has been </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">weeks</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) then it’s not too bad. I ran through my new neighborhood to try to get know the area a little better. In Logan Square, there are these pockets of neighborhoods with </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gorgeous</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> homes, big leafy trees, and laughing children. But the main roads are dirty with vacant storefronts, trash everywhere, and a crazy amount of broken glass. My apartment is on the intersection of two major roads. Sad panda.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Back to the point. Right now, my marathon training is in salvage mode. I’m already waaaaaaay behind and I’ll miss the crucial 18- and 20-mile weeks because that’s when I’m on a vacation in Lake Powell. I cannot run there, as we are literally on a boat the whole time, but I did just buy some swim goggles to keep up my fitness.</span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, new goal: Keep with the biking and yoga, continue running as best I can, and, well, just go out and enjoy the marathon. I know I’m not going to win the thing (*snort*), or even set a PR, but I can enjoy the training and eventually the race if I just relax, do my best, and have fun.</span></b></span><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fun? Fun, you say? Watch, there will be a post as I freak out about the race---again---in just a few weeks. </span></b><br />
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-6659917980252859892012-08-10T22:35:00.004-06:002012-08-10T22:52:38.273-06:00Friday<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTwgugThu7BDJ006AR-7737A0u8yxEpg57xxQBJcTeEynUbs2HLJmyZd6si4UVfMCpNsadmL5EZv2Hq8tKjyDTHvjxBacFfOkmGP-5_w2RumzcgbGdoFZEe63GGHVMPx-puoRJdD8pZpx/s1600/I+Don't+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTwgugThu7BDJ006AR-7737A0u8yxEpg57xxQBJcTeEynUbs2HLJmyZd6si4UVfMCpNsadmL5EZv2Hq8tKjyDTHvjxBacFfOkmGP-5_w2RumzcgbGdoFZEe63GGHVMPx-puoRJdD8pZpx/s320/I+Don't+Run.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I promised I'd post every day. I'm now posting at 11:30 pm---just before the new day---because I want to keep my promise.<br />
<br />
But today was just a day. It was just Friday. Nothing special, which isn't a bad thing. Ya know, just a day.<br />
<br />
I'm running tomorrow with my running group for the first time in a long time. It has been over a month, to be honest. We're supposed to be halfway through our marathon training program and I haven't gone on a training run in weeks.<br />
<br />
This is bad.<br />
<br />
I try to always keep a base fitness with soccer and biking and yoga, but we're running 15 miles in the morning. I think that I can get through it, but it will hurt. A lot. <br />
<br />
I guess it's now time to get serious about this whole marathon thing. Again.<br />
<br />
I'll report back tomorrow. Unless the run kills me, which is very possible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kfVsfOSbJY0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-42176261665100650912012-08-09T21:12:00.001-06:002012-08-10T22:36:25.826-06:00My Niece Is My Mini-MeThe eldest of my nieces and nephews, Ava, is my mini-me. She is three and a half years old and her mom and I often laugh at how similar Ava and I are.<br />
<br />
Most importantly, we both love butter. I mean we loooooove butter. As in a lick-straight-from-the-tub love affair with butter.<br />
<br />
We also share a love of the color pink (even though I've somewhat grown out of this). When I was little I had a bright pink leotard that I would never, ever take off.<br />
<br />
Ava now has a big girl, princess room. I'm even jealous of this room as an adult.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtb6iZnXeKfLFU7Y4ohu9sr-_IErUszF1AYdtgQlfuqruzl-dzA0brj9DM2w8pS04y8uNukN9PMq3MvX6oo2YmtcAnhFrVYLUdaplmCu7bdn-Ttz2DprY4h0YRdYxCVNDMAin4gZ7wTxwT/s1600/Big+girl+room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtb6iZnXeKfLFU7Y4ohu9sr-_IErUszF1AYdtgQlfuqruzl-dzA0brj9DM2w8pS04y8uNukN9PMq3MvX6oo2YmtcAnhFrVYLUdaplmCu7bdn-Ttz2DprY4h0YRdYxCVNDMAin4gZ7wTxwT/s320/Big+girl+room+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow White dress in Ava's big girl room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcmxK1SKUZvgCvlYChXfDVsEVosbN99YrDj-znLoHoBWFiBOwrbq5uKLxxtz7ENVubk5YPO-bQcCSRTQPkhvODYjchJYXouY5cXbOo-wcGJBT22INOqPw9U1O-2SZzkpfFx5aV1wAtwGJ/s1600/Big+girl+room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcmxK1SKUZvgCvlYChXfDVsEVosbN99YrDj-znLoHoBWFiBOwrbq5uKLxxtz7ENVubk5YPO-bQcCSRTQPkhvODYjchJYXouY5cXbOo-wcGJBT22INOqPw9U1O-2SZzkpfFx5aV1wAtwGJ/s320/Big+girl+room+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink! I would've died if I had this bed when I was younger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And now, for the <em>pièce de résistance</em>, Ava and I have the same haircut! It seems that just this afternoon Ava decided to cut her own hair. I've done this before too. It looked so bad that I cried for days! But luckily Super Mom came to the rescue (after shedding a tear or two about losing that long, flowing hair) and gave Ava the most awesome haircut ever. My haircut!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqE8c0fJX8fb0soipH1Pd6MLVGpTWizXAdpq1W0y3oDZKGEHdDG-2bk7pMVxKxMGURJUYoW-FrzSGwsdIouzGSSn8Zd7vfCn-Z74dP-nbLFzCiz_SvivPGQLjzdc681_K_xSorCCTFtqYK/s1600/Ava's+Haircut+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqE8c0fJX8fb0soipH1Pd6MLVGpTWizXAdpq1W0y3oDZKGEHdDG-2bk7pMVxKxMGURJUYoW-FrzSGwsdIouzGSSn8Zd7vfCn-Z74dP-nbLFzCiz_SvivPGQLjzdc681_K_xSorCCTFtqYK/s320/Ava's+Haircut+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava's self-styling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeStYFD0pdQS7-OM4Jn1TsUDn-oRWrOb8U9LUrLcswdIcc5u2uiOzyUwN31vun67fXvGrW88_1FX07iNKw_rrzBMjasUnv2VwRLQBoCnUNsAEBocBNPJt3_BetrqXLgntqC3m71Zsz0ZH/s1600/Ava's+Haircut+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeStYFD0pdQS7-OM4Jn1TsUDn-oRWrOb8U9LUrLcswdIcc5u2uiOzyUwN31vun67fXvGrW88_1FX07iNKw_rrzBMjasUnv2VwRLQBoCnUNsAEBocBNPJt3_BetrqXLgntqC3m71Zsz0ZH/s320/Ava's+Haircut+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava's cute haircut---and now gone hair!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzzWDC8z1ppUtc-Z2hMoqVFNsQu-lodLkVz3W5X1JfEy5WfYObSK07rzyCvDUUAtPmSo21VUOxSdxozOY1rIqBCprE09bytNEO8NYa2hQIEicsan0b97oqaI6LVkLsqrjFFZhOmy9C4Hb/s1600/Ava's+haircut+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzzWDC8z1ppUtc-Z2hMoqVFNsQu-lodLkVz3W5X1JfEy5WfYObSK07rzyCvDUUAtPmSo21VUOxSdxozOY1rIqBCprE09bytNEO8NYa2hQIEicsan0b97oqaI6LVkLsqrjFFZhOmy9C4Hb/s320/Ava's+haircut+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the side/back view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTeDFKgI6Kkj79pHP5wFjvUZM7lUdmnawXpX4JnCj6MXS9lac8_VWZ8Q4aJL4K7940V4ROHeU5KSiShkZzQAIjcwDOAWjtW-Xpl_ayixol3DGDo_Z6H-8JIDB864hzJRU5KQZsGHhywWS/s1600/Haircut+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTeDFKgI6Kkj79pHP5wFjvUZM7lUdmnawXpX4JnCj6MXS9lac8_VWZ8Q4aJL4K7940V4ROHeU5KSiShkZzQAIjcwDOAWjtW-Xpl_ayixol3DGDo_Z6H-8JIDB864hzJRU5KQZsGHhywWS/s320/Haircut+2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">And here's my haircut!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSey-R-NKkuA-zKmj2mpU7A9rm0Qg5GwCV0TmciOFVJYEfTCfZtgxCmk8pWezjqvou_shggVw6-MAYPmejRlOXlMfiJypL0AfQ2dxnTbFmpmmQ-qRka63tzQpDZUoaRql-84JEHT0SuRjG/s1600/Haircut+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSey-R-NKkuA-zKmj2mpU7A9rm0Qg5GwCV0TmciOFVJYEfTCfZtgxCmk8pWezjqvou_shggVw6-MAYPmejRlOXlMfiJypL0AfQ2dxnTbFmpmmQ-qRka63tzQpDZUoaRql-84JEHT0SuRjG/s320/Haircut+1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">
The back view</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I say, Way to go Ava! Way to take control of your own hair and end up looking like your awesome and incredibly stylish Aunt Claire!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even though I live many states away from Colorado, my legacy lives on. And I couldn't be more thrilled to have a mini-me!</div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-91996480099857177872012-08-08T20:26:00.000-06:002012-08-20T09:57:56.202-06:00The Art of Bike Commuting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLv61QwYwjjBB1Gq2ZeNNCsmmiA3lrsiyGrQjcIZdGIH8UOxly_9MAKxsrtZKZLdnFbdGO75DhbizjbuyljRUeRFN_ewIZzyPIouZXyiNCg4PncutZ4sArUIJ0T2M8xmD6LrmwDPvLCOC/s1600/P1010894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLv61QwYwjjBB1Gq2ZeNNCsmmiA3lrsiyGrQjcIZdGIH8UOxly_9MAKxsrtZKZLdnFbdGO75DhbizjbuyljRUeRFN_ewIZzyPIouZXyiNCg4PncutZ4sArUIJ0T2M8xmD6LrmwDPvLCOC/s320/P1010894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Cannondale road bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've blogged before about bicycles.<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
But here I am to elaborate again on how much I love having a bike in the city. <br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
I sent my car back to Colorado last year because it didn't make sense to spend $200/month in parking for a car I never drove. I found it easier to get around via public transportation.<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
But since I don't live in the Loop anymore, my bicycle is essential. Besides, it makes things a lot more fun! I'm also getting a sense of all the streets and neighborhoods.<br />
<br />
I have become that "biker chick" I've always envied. Chicago is all about confidence. Confidence at work, confidence when going out, and, most importantly, confidence when riding your bike on the streets. I've had to use my voice on many occasions. I especially feel a twinge of joy when I yell at cabbies right before they pull out in front of me. They immediately slam on their brakes, their face showing a mixture of confusion and respect. Yes!!!<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
I've also found out that bicycle commuting is an art. It must be planned out the night before.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2JldCn0vsamHXYx7bO-BGA6CigdSozAtdiNiv-iBUG3w_JIO_ira4DsqgmAmhoDvGgKhPJP8ioBlFSUHP0hL3fRtz2j1Re6P8QadXr0LLYwDdlZzmV8Lltj2qIZLCAMnAunomDmtfqlU/s1600/P1010890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2JldCn0vsamHXYx7bO-BGA6CigdSozAtdiNiv-iBUG3w_JIO_ira4DsqgmAmhoDvGgKhPJP8ioBlFSUHP0hL3fRtz2j1Re6P8QadXr0LLYwDdlZzmV8Lltj2qIZLCAMnAunomDmtfqlU/s400/P1010890.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The above picture shows everything piled on my back during a typical ride to work. Moving from left to right:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Pages/ProductInformation.aspx?PNumber=999348">Kryptonite lock</a>. These things are heavy!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bernunlimited.com/Products/Helmets/Macon?helmetType=Bike">Bern bike helmet<span id="goog_706423111"></span></a> in Matte Neon Yellow. I'll take anything and everything that makes me more visible on the road</li>
<li>Yoga bag, mat, and towel. I try to go to yoga in the morning as often as possible. This bag is the only <a href="http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/women-bags/Namaste-Yoga-Tote-III?cc=0001&skuId=3438081&catId=women-bags">Lululemon</a> thing I own and at $40, it was the cheapest thing in the store</li>
<li>Sherpani bag. I bought this years ago in Boulder. It has now proved invaluable</li>
<li>Sunglasses, compact, lip gloss, and pens</li>
<li>My kindle---which I can't live without. I'm currently reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Sleep-Raymond-Chandler/dp/0394758285"><em>The Big Sleep </em>by Raymond Chandler</a> for book club</li>
<li>Chicago bike map. This little thing has gotten me back home many times</li>
<li>Wallet</li>
<li>Lunch bag. I try to bring lunch to work as often as possible</li>
<li>Work clothes. Luckily my office has great showers. I keep in a locker a towel, hairdryer, straightener, and makeup. I think I shower at work more often than I shower at home</li>
<li>Headphones (absolutely necessary in the city, but not while you're riding!), running watch, CTA card, and work pass</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXF0I_ijWOuvP61GbwUhNkLADBE0ef7zaVcDkK4for-Yo3yLndhriMvyNFjxCNvhiTEuTNfNV-l1KMU1Q4w59yWtYVXd8L1AOxcuOnGA3isOcrcQk3RzgJEiLlgWWX92fILNalfuUNLhd/s1600/P1010893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXF0I_ijWOuvP61GbwUhNkLADBE0ef7zaVcDkK4for-Yo3yLndhriMvyNFjxCNvhiTEuTNfNV-l1KMU1Q4w59yWtYVXd8L1AOxcuOnGA3isOcrcQk3RzgJEiLlgWWX92fILNalfuUNLhd/s320/P1010893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is everything strategically packed away. Didn't think it would all fit, did you? Did you? Like I said, commuting is an art.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0owsJJ_AwQTHN1f40J95cAvDDyqrjgYPh3jQfmskiP00h9zmqOiXh4cQkQtHFPgCjiSQZEilxuaNhPsHvuMNxVHYNlYYm1xBG6oELF_V4aJktLVVxAlJiX6reo4wruNpphunFdjpN6vg/s1600/P1010892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0owsJJ_AwQTHN1f40J95cAvDDyqrjgYPh3jQfmskiP00h9zmqOiXh4cQkQtHFPgCjiSQZEilxuaNhPsHvuMNxVHYNlYYm1xBG6oELF_V4aJktLVVxAlJiX6reo4wruNpphunFdjpN6vg/s320/P1010892.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLv61QwYwjjBB1Gq2ZeNNCsmmiA3lrsiyGrQjcIZdGIH8UOxly_9MAKxsrtZKZLdnFbdGO75DhbizjbuyljRUeRFN_ewIZzyPIouZXyiNCg4PncutZ4sArUIJ0T2M8xmD6LrmwDPvLCOC/s1600/P1010894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Want a lesson in physics? Try carrying your bike up two flights of curving stairs. Fun times.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, my advice to you? Get a bike. Ride to work. You don't have to ride every day, but just a few days a week. It's worth it. Next lesson? Bike lights. They're even more important than my neon helmet. </div>
</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-53818940450184431392012-08-07T19:25:00.001-06:002012-08-07T19:36:06.058-06:00Every DayI wrote a long post last night while on the plane. I had a late flight (landing time 1:08 am in Chicago) and I'm terrible at sleeping on planes, so I figured I'd at least get something done and start blogging. So, I typed everything up on my iPad, had a great post completed... and it's now gone. Gone. Nowhere to be found. Isn't technology great?<br />
<br />
In any case, I'll try to recreate my original post here. <br />
<br />
I was just in Colorado over the weekend. Overall, it was a great trip! But I was also excited to come back and attack my To Do list again. There's something about traveling that helps you to push that reset button. I always feel more motivated when I return. <br />
<br />
So, here's what I would like to accomplish over the next few days:<br />
<br />
1. Blog every day. Even if it's about nothing. I just need to write---even if it's not written well.<br />
2. Tackle the reading list a colleague recommended to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTwR6tkIaF0-4YT1GK_rHKc5uC4ArjrdOVg7VFdKINJoweTZBlUa-t6TFg1Lj5FyysFiVJIvOnaSuQXmrxbVVbAURFsB6iXqFYqyNGKqsp1p6x2hshRUk7ANp1URNMqsy_RG9LYKwXTuK/s1600/Reading+List.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTwR6tkIaF0-4YT1GK_rHKc5uC4ArjrdOVg7VFdKINJoweTZBlUa-t6TFg1Lj5FyysFiVJIvOnaSuQXmrxbVVbAURFsB6iXqFYqyNGKqsp1p6x2hshRUk7ANp1URNMqsy_RG9LYKwXTuK/s400/Reading+List.png" width="400" /></a></div>
3. Cook more and find good recipes for my upcoming trip to LAKE POWELL!! I just downloaded the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/pioneer-woman-cooks-food-from/id497650136?mt=11">Pioneer Woman's new cookbook on my iPad</a> (even if my iPad does lose blog posts, it's awesome to cook from). I think I bookmarked every recipe in there.<br />
4. Run. I'm supposed to be midway through my marathon training program for the <a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/">Chicago Marathon</a> in October. Except for soccer, I haven't run for two weeks. Oops. It has been so long since I last run that I'm actually afraid to get out there again! What if my legs have forgotten how to move?<br />
<br />
If I kept thinking, there are a million kajillion things that I want to do and accomplish in my life. But I think this list is a good start. The above are all goals that I can accomplish if I put my mind to it.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-34378583336270135242012-07-12T17:22:00.001-06:002012-08-08T20:34:09.974-06:00I’m a Writer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt6VOIxJ0MmXsxpfz-cbtbk6lkGJMmTlvqZezO6eUBI7u7H1q5DA1EEiXObHKiNvkshxAS1uJgTYNngvUG8JAwkZcjzetuMwy3O6pbUuXbBrb0YhUrSKD_upsIggluCVbWav_gKds0nYV/s1600/Writer" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt6VOIxJ0MmXsxpfz-cbtbk6lkGJMmTlvqZezO6eUBI7u7H1q5DA1EEiXObHKiNvkshxAS1uJgTYNngvUG8JAwkZcjzetuMwy3O6pbUuXbBrb0YhUrSKD_upsIggluCVbWav_gKds0nYV/s1600/Writer" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No, seriously. I am officially a “writer.” One of my long-time dreams has finally come true!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I was recently promoted at work and my new title is Associate Writer/Editorial Services. I can now tell people on the street, “I’m a writer” and not look like a crazed coffee-house addict.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Though I’m very experienced in working with publications, I still have a lot to learn. For a long time I was in a dead-end job and I thought that I’d never be able to have a career as a writer or editor, so I stopped writing. I haven’t really written for a long time. (As seen by my steady drop-off of blog posts.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But that has all changed because I’m now a writer! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I have many goals for this new position. As a “writer,” I’m going to write them down here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></span>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Get a firm grasp of AMA (American Medical Association) style. I work at a medical advertising agency and while I’m familiar with Chicago Style, I will need to become bedfellows with the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> AMA Manual of Style</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Take courses and become involved in membership organizations to improve my writing and understanding. A colleague recently forwarded a set of classes and conferences that all appear to be very helpful. </span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Become intimately involved in the accounts I work with so that I will be seen as a resource for that product or marketing goal.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Most importantly, write! It’s incredibly nerve-wracking to put my work out there, waiting for it to be criticized. But that’s the only way to learn, right? Right.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Signing off from my throne (before the reality of hard work sets in),</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Claire</span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0Chicago, IL 60601, USA41.8775205 -87.611232541.8656975 -87.6309735 41.8893435 -87.5914915tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-61983685814904385442012-07-12T17:09:00.001-06:002012-07-12T17:17:52.905-06:00Bicycles... and life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About a month ago I bought a brand-new bicycle. It was pretty and shiny and expensive. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAR7IGr-PKUlkHl6_lDEl5YZakDXdmVb6SknTdsT3PS4aTd7fOGKBkzJkc7mPa7shPYLyP_mJG0jseu1N9GCY7iEfnUU5J5xFeQiMra7nEdEXOS1UzZDSthw6ZUupPXQXYjRzpjHMzGN9/s1600/Trek+7.3+FX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAR7IGr-PKUlkHl6_lDEl5YZakDXdmVb6SknTdsT3PS4aTd7fOGKBkzJkc7mPa7shPYLyP_mJG0jseu1N9GCY7iEfnUU5J5xFeQiMra7nEdEXOS1UzZDSthw6ZUupPXQXYjRzpjHMzGN9/s320/Trek+7.3+FX.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My new Trek 7.3 FX</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember when you first learned to ride a bicycle? That sense of freedom it gave? That’s how I felt with my new bicycle. Since I was no longer living downtown, I was restricted to the trains and buses---which were sometimes a huge pain. If I had a late soccer match, I would spend more time on three busses just trying to get home than I did playing the game!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved my bike. It was great. And then I locked it up outside my apartment rather than bringing it up two flights of stairs. (Note: want a lesson in physics? Try carrying a bike up flights of a winding stairwell) My bike got stolen. I only had it for three weeks.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Want to know the saddest website in the world? <a href="http://chicago.stolenbike.org/">The Chicago Stolen Bike Registry</a>. Some of these people had their bikes for only a few days before they were stolen!</span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">The theft bothered me, but everyone's self blame bothered me the most. I met up with a group trying to track down our stolen bikes and everyone in that group had locked up their bike. But everyone still said, “It’s my fault that the bike was stolen.” We all had excuses: We had either left it in an alley, or left it outside, or it only had one lock on it instead of three…</span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />NO! If you locked up your bike, it’s not your fault! You didn’t steal your own bike. It bothers me how we all instantly blamed ourselves when it’s the crime that’s the problem.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There should be a special place in hell reserved for bike t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hieves. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good news is that my friend Sean and I went Craigslist hunting (I HATE Craigslist, but that’s a rant for another day) and I found a new, better bike!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My new bike is a road bike---something I thought I was never “good enough” to be able to ride. Turns out that they’re just like every other bike. You just hop on and enjoy yourself!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s a picture of my new baby:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF8WfuijzMQJwywIXV15DEwPhUcJ33I3vOXvr9n5lfxZvZClrvvMWyxlZwIAPhaapbQFVgcBzYPAjSd_icKycXnJIRh9q7t7ngQ2uZqzQIJSosHtCinOuzNqKSoMJIrbbQvRwcST0imtG/s1600/Canondale+Synapse.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF8WfuijzMQJwywIXV15DEwPhUcJ33I3vOXvr9n5lfxZvZClrvvMWyxlZwIAPhaapbQFVgcBzYPAjSd_icKycXnJIRh9q7t7ngQ2uZqzQIJSosHtCinOuzNqKSoMJIrbbQvRwcST0imtG/s320/Canondale+Synapse.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Women's Cannondale Synapse 7</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Maybe the new bike is a blessing in disguise since it works much better for my needs, but I still wish I wasn’t out $800 in the process. Stupid thieves.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com1Chicago, IL 60601, USA41.8775205 -87.611232541.8656975 -87.6309735 41.8893435 -87.5914915tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-78320597657625256282012-06-17T14:00:00.000-06:002012-08-08T20:34:35.442-06:00Sailing<b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of my primary goals when I moved to Chicago was to go sailing on Lake Michigan. I’m very happy to say that I scratched this off my list last Monday!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The experience was... AMAZING. The night couldn’t have been better! It was in the 80s with a breeze from the south. In our captain’s words, it was a “powder day” for sailing.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our instructor's name was Captain Kirk (insert Star Trek joke here). He has been sailing since he was a boy and currently owns a sailboat with a partner. He spends his summers sailing on Lake Michigan and his winters being a ski bunny in Colorado. Must be nice! In any case, he was wonderful. His love and enthusiasm for being out on the water was contagious. We all got a chance at the helm and practice turns since sailing is really all about geometry.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grew up with motorboats so the first thing I noticed once we turned off the engine was the silence. It is just you and the boat gracefully cutting through the water. Absolutely b</span><b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eautiful.</span></b><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were also blessed with an incredible sunset. One of the best I’ve seen in Chicago! I grabbed a million pictures, but below are just a few.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sailing is expensive. Very expensive. When I saw the Groupon for sailing lessons over the winter I jumped on it. </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’d love, love, love to get out on the water again, but at $250+/lesson I think I’ll be waiting a while. Where’s that money tree? Or money mast, perhaps.</span></span></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC4P9DworXw250ppFvR5y7griPYmpqCfEsVQJhfagqEA4oX8wm8vh2YEnac5NC5drgzYgiYkD-__R2vit68NxDIccyX6LkCv-yDplq8iJ6aDJ0Lkwq681m5qeB3CiPilz5qNsFFLCbEyh/s1600/IMG_0400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC4P9DworXw250ppFvR5y7griPYmpqCfEsVQJhfagqEA4oX8wm8vh2YEnac5NC5drgzYgiYkD-__R2vit68NxDIccyX6LkCv-yDplq8iJ6aDJ0Lkwq681m5qeB3CiPilz5qNsFFLCbEyh/s400/IMG_0400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawiLoNBlN5hFZapmJ2nXuBvh3rAibUCCPRlZi37vxMIW278JhLixhRzyAfH3_ggInAWlNq4XP0Ookobdo4DzeJszz2XtGpvdjAnFGgDcbhW61PhzRcM4EVZ9o7ukokFEcn0i-X3iGjc60/s1600/IMG_7103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawiLoNBlN5hFZapmJ2nXuBvh3rAibUCCPRlZi37vxMIW278JhLixhRzyAfH3_ggInAWlNq4XP0Ookobdo4DzeJszz2XtGpvdjAnFGgDcbhW61PhzRcM4EVZ9o7ukokFEcn0i-X3iGjc60/s400/IMG_7103.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSf6IJ4fceO8VL9SAZWI-ImGjuYhMi-7g5793wp2pQwDEglxOdG4BhtXptMnfZV_bl3Nl7v1d2A9rgSrZheBlSmlW6Qm4v_pat89BsFnMzTSUbFVYdoFro_pvncU1e4JkOp85Xs1oSty8/s1600/IMG_8060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSf6IJ4fceO8VL9SAZWI-ImGjuYhMi-7g5793wp2pQwDEglxOdG4BhtXptMnfZV_bl3Nl7v1d2A9rgSrZheBlSmlW6Qm4v_pat89BsFnMzTSUbFVYdoFro_pvncU1e4JkOp85Xs1oSty8/s400/IMG_8060.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSSWZyxhi5ft9P7Ox16Oydl_oY2eBmaCw5N1kcTp8H7lgAmqvUS0kS3BBXhoh7UWks_Oe578Q7RN0GleC1yVPpT-LFNCHPLqnhVcVu5ispxfUnS2i9A501F3tkKys-ZwaFEoqtooLl7sx/s1600/IMG_2418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSSWZyxhi5ft9P7Ox16Oydl_oY2eBmaCw5N1kcTp8H7lgAmqvUS0kS3BBXhoh7UWks_Oe578Q7RN0GleC1yVPpT-LFNCHPLqnhVcVu5ispxfUnS2i9A501F3tkKys-ZwaFEoqtooLl7sx/s400/IMG_2418.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjAiR2IZkRzKVs8O9v2EcbVRA7jTZ8G6HDITb5JGLPYZhojcLjGKZIGzL4Ai6MjLMv71SYnDNDN6lU2v6YOxQEwa-ZlsVwk_x7r-bW-bAT5gF1X5wJVCPFKPzNM6elQr9cNOSchJFfVFZ/s1600/IMG_7090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjAiR2IZkRzKVs8O9v2EcbVRA7jTZ8G6HDITb5JGLPYZhojcLjGKZIGzL4Ai6MjLMv71SYnDNDN6lU2v6YOxQEwa-ZlsVwk_x7r-bW-bAT5gF1X5wJVCPFKPzNM6elQr9cNOSchJFfVFZ/s400/IMG_7090.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQrLyqfjz9O32y9crI6kGjRrTB-2QHFdCv2YfpCnarBD0RegqeMxFrC6B1r_h9a2a6EOtf4s7yJE-XxarsQFrlVIwCicBXccvYyZTtqJzPH_21y4Zu30AF6OfsomP-YwzgiAglaUMcvBF/s1600/IMG_6636+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQrLyqfjz9O32y9crI6kGjRrTB-2QHFdCv2YfpCnarBD0RegqeMxFrC6B1r_h9a2a6EOtf4s7yJE-XxarsQFrlVIwCicBXccvYyZTtqJzPH_21y4Zu30AF6OfsomP-YwzgiAglaUMcvBF/s400/IMG_6636+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hCaELQ_HGz72pdTseTzQ7ATrQkD-aVe26gn5wdOx1qAYihFl4WC7w6c18iZRGI5CZLgYsCDGjwPTNDa_XdAQjsOzY3mlhEAvEEuO4zvBy3x9L0efboVWgGrznyahfnbXyH7dveuYa3s4/s1600/IMG_8512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hCaELQ_HGz72pdTseTzQ7ATrQkD-aVe26gn5wdOx1qAYihFl4WC7w6c18iZRGI5CZLgYsCDGjwPTNDa_XdAQjsOzY3mlhEAvEEuO4zvBy3x9L0efboVWgGrznyahfnbXyH7dveuYa3s4/s400/IMG_8512.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></b>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-15623798953365929332012-06-16T14:00:00.000-06:002012-08-08T20:35:56.736-06:00New Haircut<b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve </span><a href="http://clairev04.blogspot.com/2009/11/being-professional-and-your-hair.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">blogged before about hair</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Women and their hair is a very important subject.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have been growing my hair </span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">out</span></b><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for the last two years to the point that it was longer than I’ve ever had it before. For a while, it was a lot of fun! I felt flirty and feminine. There's nothing better than that sassy little flip of your hair. However, with the hot and humid Chicago summers I found myself pulling it back every day---especially after my 5 am workouts. The last thing I wanted to do then was spend a half hour drying and straightening my hair.</span></b></span><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I chopped my hair and dyed it blonde! The hairstylist took off 11-inches and I will be donating it. Though it is a little weird to be carrying around a chunk of hair in my purse...</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rZCDFcSrRQ1vFPkw31IEsprXW63C8PzDlj22tK2tDIg_ruBG42RBQc0JZyvTV_z6DyZS6CNpu8dg_HegV2dAut5U9sJ4KLMtfZDA6kHnUaR-9jsLhuQ4sSRC1sz5b4XogT4_df7xJVjF/s1600/IMG_5755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rZCDFcSrRQ1vFPkw31IEsprXW63C8PzDlj22tK2tDIg_ruBG42RBQc0JZyvTV_z6DyZS6CNpu8dg_HegV2dAut5U9sJ4KLMtfZDA6kHnUaR-9jsLhuQ4sSRC1sz5b4XogT4_df7xJVjF/s200/IMG_5755.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone loooooves new my hair. All my coworkers have consistently told me all week how great it looks. How it fits me so well. How chic it is. Hurrah! Except that with all this praise, a little part of me wonders, Did I look that bad before? Was I frumpy and no one said anything? </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the other hand, there are numerous <a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2011/08/the-woman-with-the-highest-earning-potential-100/">reports</a>, studies, and even <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2124246/Samantha-Brick-downsides-looking-pretty-Why-women-hate-beautiful.html">hotly-contested debates</a> about how “prettier” women consistently earn more than their “plain” counterparts. New question (filled with vanity and greed): Will I receive a significant raise soon?</span></span></b><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdWqJRCU79y1uQeJHWexdLW6y0ewGns1rWGsfvckV02wXgh0ub0ud-GTEdCOIIJ2e_Ue3-Ox3PtVc_ktH2S7Qz9vzPu4tWyHrNZJZVArI-7d5oiwz2KIjLEzV1716pMBRSXYl7A3MHXZv/s1600/IMG_5613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdWqJRCU79y1uQeJHWexdLW6y0ewGns1rWGsfvckV02wXgh0ub0ud-GTEdCOIIJ2e_Ue3-Ox3PtVc_ktH2S7Qz9vzPu4tWyHrNZJZVArI-7d5oiwz2KIjLEzV1716pMBRSXYl7A3MHXZv/s320/IMG_5613.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The front</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20V4ACJRnMhGgQbMVfBJxb1Yreyxe_BYV0bpeY-td6OIz7NVlWMzHAmcnI0LThpXAF3jVzwRMO6RM73QxjxhZZNC_FwvpCk6aQjesri86xdh9juXHCjpe7QtHWzhUacZaUAA2WQ5xdIYu/s1600/IMG_4669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20V4ACJRnMhGgQbMVfBJxb1Yreyxe_BYV0bpeY-td6OIz7NVlWMzHAmcnI0LThpXAF3jVzwRMO6RM73QxjxhZZNC_FwvpCk6aQjesri86xdh9juXHCjpe7QtHWzhUacZaUAA2WQ5xdIYu/s320/IMG_4669.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The back</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T5B5nnJ9GizC-jOh7We2kftpvKfliT2yeBeZAJ042LUrBlO-LNXQ-Z6PluFZ6U9z-8xQGMeWI5g5B0Mr98guKMCVoS4I6sRzKRb6BgbOodOwhA3ubnknz97kxjiG6LBV1edCrti5o4hy/s1600/IMG_9861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T5B5nnJ9GizC-jOh7We2kftpvKfliT2yeBeZAJ042LUrBlO-LNXQ-Z6PluFZ6U9z-8xQGMeWI5g5B0Mr98guKMCVoS4I6sRzKRb6BgbOodOwhA3ubnknz97kxjiG6LBV1edCrti5o4hy/s320/IMG_9861.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Out for drinks with my old friend, Brian (aka Teammate)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-26353373644663468902012-06-15T14:26:00.000-06:002012-08-08T20:36:34.762-06:00Birthday Weekend in Colorado<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For my birthday, I went back to Colorado for a long weekend. I was really nervous about going back. I hadn’t been in Colorado for about six months---since Christmas---and I struggled during some of my earlier visits.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However, this trip was 110% amazing! It was a perfect mix of friends, family, food, and fishing. I couldn’t have asked for more.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Andrew and I had a great time together. Because much of our relationship is long distance, I'm always nervous about spending so much time with one another in such a short time. Will we kill each other? Will we find out about some horrible habit that is suddenly unforgivable? This hasn't happened yet, thank goodness!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In classic iPhone Picture Diary form, below are a few captures from my weekend.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMyO8yf2W0pPoVPp1yj7RmvpSeEv8mOsoDDBOrbb3IfOU7C9KxEt3PDSvOdGQ2b6iJCskkzy__CLG_Etgdt8jq7wx2RSCMH4VX_OkUU-GEoMl4sf_g5kyWlhhbcFtsCr28lu5u-EsKBbc/s1600/IMG_2458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMyO8yf2W0pPoVPp1yj7RmvpSeEv8mOsoDDBOrbb3IfOU7C9KxEt3PDSvOdGQ2b6iJCskkzy__CLG_Etgdt8jq7wx2RSCMH4VX_OkUU-GEoMl4sf_g5kyWlhhbcFtsCr28lu5u-EsKBbc/s320/IMG_2458.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">A classic Colorado sunset from Coors field. The Rockies won against the Dodgers!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64l3kBeoKMhqGDpXg1raMMlbTNwxhW5FoKY2F-qCENXIUfX8hT36IglGGkgSo-vOoEIEXi4evMq2IDohvhsCw4MkjCUQuGPeHT5WU0GO7c_ahmJ7r2GloXXwQYKq-ToMZUulR8cZULz-u/s1600/IMG_0532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64l3kBeoKMhqGDpXg1raMMlbTNwxhW5FoKY2F-qCENXIUfX8hT36IglGGkgSo-vOoEIEXi4evMq2IDohvhsCw4MkjCUQuGPeHT5WU0GO7c_ahmJ7r2GloXXwQYKq-ToMZUulR8cZULz-u/s320/IMG_0532.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Andrew made marinated london broil, grilled asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Yuuuuummmm.<span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KpNXkkHfYDeU_nbLCnN-hZXT0Y9D2w3liF_JnHjZYkPI7xCkCHP-7WiVoC11stMx9frVR52sFWprXxX6Dkazue6qWqD5KrMEUBVqdgQtfbX1iMNfN-29V162lN3upwhoo-QjQUfPE8q-/s1600/IMG_0741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KpNXkkHfYDeU_nbLCnN-hZXT0Y9D2w3liF_JnHjZYkPI7xCkCHP-7WiVoC11stMx9frVR52sFWprXxX6Dkazue6qWqD5KrMEUBVqdgQtfbX1iMNfN-29V162lN3upwhoo-QjQUfPE8q-/s320/IMG_0741.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">My contribution was a quick and easy </span><a href="http://www.imalazymom.com/2011/02/lazy-cake-cookies.html"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Pinterest recipe</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv0Ht15xvDxMsUUcT5e2d8xihEilealYkSaRAyQnRxPqESNvt4aV0Wqc5W-ovlg5QDFjkIF1VzYTGm9F9zg0mkxKSsH_29DpgorMOdxuGQvcRle7oU1w73wcEU_qaejDEWPWFWv08mywM/s1600/IMG_6164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv0Ht15xvDxMsUUcT5e2d8xihEilealYkSaRAyQnRxPqESNvt4aV0Wqc5W-ovlg5QDFjkIF1VzYTGm9F9zg0mkxKSsH_29DpgorMOdxuGQvcRle7oU1w73wcEU_qaejDEWPWFWv08mywM/s320/IMG_6164.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Here's our view of a big summer storm rolling through Boulder.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgM1abmy83debLyjgFMj6BnBBQBWBujm9odjZ0Q3ptHJtyBF4s41wxvBCCEvEPhaAZIkFaCYL7tgs6FfXPfsaVDw87KYareS9wmM22GhYWdgJD7-wlM0_mMg-SxT08LTsEQtDPOlukfZp/s1600/IMG_8113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgM1abmy83debLyjgFMj6BnBBQBWBujm9odjZ0Q3ptHJtyBF4s41wxvBCCEvEPhaAZIkFaCYL7tgs6FfXPfsaVDw87KYareS9wmM22GhYWdgJD7-wlM0_mMg-SxT08LTsEQtDPOlukfZp/s320/IMG_8113.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I learned the hard way about how a red-head handles, or doesn't handle, the sun. Our cloudless 90-degree day was perfect for fishing but hard on Andrew. I think we'll have you buy some of that crazy safari/desert gear next time I drag him out with me! Poor guy... I felt terrible for him.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D6lcQwabBkkccFlUSkqWpo8DzjoBttajB4BVfzI4Zod5_y6g2560LW_-4ZhliQc5_eF6LSBUanZqzKwaUfnu8siz_3_qIrK2NNHA1bZMKfrhEpU2EYoh78iQbEi8IGMwoNP8RlJai9tY/s1600/IMG_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D6lcQwabBkkccFlUSkqWpo8DzjoBttajB4BVfzI4Zod5_y6g2560LW_-4ZhliQc5_eF6LSBUanZqzKwaUfnu8siz_3_qIrK2NNHA1bZMKfrhEpU2EYoh78iQbEi8IGMwoNP8RlJai9tY/s320/IMG_0029.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Despite torture by sunshine, Andrew sent me flowers for my birthday! It was a gorgeous arrangement of tulips and irises. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.629202680895105" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></b>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-33668183868020687112012-06-07T16:16:00.001-06:002012-08-08T20:36:56.199-06:00Moving<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7054740230087191" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I recently moved. I am now living in the Bucktown/Logan Square neighborhoods of Chicago rather than downtown.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m excited to explore a new part of the city. Since I both lived and worked downtown, I was not venturing out much. I wanted get to know Chicago but all I knew was my walk to work---by heart. The new adventure will be fun!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A downside to moving is that felt like I had finally formed my new life at the old apartment. I had nearby friends that I could easily grab for a cup of coffee or even a long run. While they’ll still be my friends, of course, the ease of living nearby is gone.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, my new room has a loft in it. A loft! My first reaction was, “That’s totally sweet!” but then comes my second reaction: “Oh my goodness. I am a professional woman and I am living in a loft. I have a degree and I’m gainfully employed and I have been on my own for ages and this is what I have to show for it? A loft?! I’m regressing back to college. My life is over.” </span></span></b><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></b>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A little irrational, I realize. Moving is hard on everyone.</span></b><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSlCTqYFA7emP3bxhuI8A0kPWw6cpQTYam_U5nANycHCPmfTf1Rssby54vPbWMLwydmY3hyphenhyphencw5lvvCdJMQ_45j0zw93KTvh16WWWK0hyphenhyphenJimHNYPKrFlJiLnE5Ub26zNNuyg7r_9DVBVbv/s1600/IMG_1588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSlCTqYFA7emP3bxhuI8A0kPWw6cpQTYam_U5nANycHCPmfTf1Rssby54vPbWMLwydmY3hyphenhyphencw5lvvCdJMQ_45j0zw93KTvh16WWWK0hyphenhyphenJimHNYPKrFlJiLnE5Ub26zNNuyg7r_9DVBVbv/s320/IMG_1588.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Before shot - with my bed up in the loft. I felt like I lived above a giant walk-in closet.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLe6EYOGKX0hhWLAKnq297BvLVIiUhcQOkn2dwIXdgit5KhdA9s7q0Li_Tcy9SIJAY75GLw-5NcCWQJyTlyNASBzjG8eN6Aw4nDuz9R_Z0O0nDv73ML_cfpzt2Bw5qjk00bFi1TecKU05y/s1600/IMG_4280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLe6EYOGKX0hhWLAKnq297BvLVIiUhcQOkn2dwIXdgit5KhdA9s7q0Li_Tcy9SIJAY75GLw-5NcCWQJyTlyNASBzjG8eN6Aw4nDuz9R_Z0O0nDv73ML_cfpzt2Bw5qjk00bFi1TecKU05y/s320/IMG_4280.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">After shot - the next day I immediately brought my bed down. Much better.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7054740230087191" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></b>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-11575434008394008172012-05-18T15:00:00.000-06:002012-05-18T15:00:04.695-06:00Movie Review: The Avengers<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyWUfPRyhMko1rJmySY7at_aTOpBLWsypOzgij1LrD8vJpiPWwPKYtmtGq-ihnUKJqPQhMgUUQ-Aa2ZeDAwX67NhTLRHG3tKszckvh-7NNGungt2w9U2pHBIEuEUbyHZSlHt9ybI4A_UT/s1600/detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyWUfPRyhMko1rJmySY7at_aTOpBLWsypOzgij1LrD8vJpiPWwPKYtmtGq-ihnUKJqPQhMgUUQ-Aa2ZeDAwX67NhTLRHG3tKszckvh-7NNGungt2w9U2pHBIEuEUbyHZSlHt9ybI4A_UT/s320/detail.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've heard good things about this movie so on Tuesday night I got 3D tickets and headed to the theater after work.<br />
<br />
One important thing to note: Every time I pay extra money for the 3D "experience" and every time I'm pissed off that I fell for their trap... again. I dislike 3D. The picture isn't as clear and you don't get a good feel for the characters or the cinematography because everything is jumping out at you. Perfect example: I saw Jackass 3D and the only thing I remember about the whole movie was a giant dildo flying at my face. Point is, I will not fall for the 3D trap again! I draw the line here!<br />
<br />
Despite the stupid 3D glasses and noisy wrappers, I liked the movie. I didn't grow up reading comics but I still feel that the movie gave a good sense of the stories and personalities of each hero. The middle of the movie got a little slow as they were developing the background, but it was necessary for the poor kids like myself who played outside as a child rather than hiding in the basement. We didn't have a basement growing up, otherwise I sure as shit would've been down there.<br />
<br />
The movie was long (143 minutes) which meant that I jumped up from my seat as soon as the credits started. I have a hard time sitting still. Apparently there's a teaser scene at the end that I missed. It is supposed to be really cool. Oops! Looks like I'll have to watch the movie again.<br />
<br />
The most important takeaway from this film is that I now have a giant crush on Captain America. Yes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwvgIcFV_XejhIOv9z2QdcYy0gqEyRmqkHewJ_oM_WOPIYLDC-rFpXe28Ov7H1SgdPZ2yEe2bfhEMZ8CbIVZZXmT02PVUl2FByuWirb38l-9IBMq-OBQmFyLcQzlZz2LAjCXypTWfuyO7/s1600/Captain-America.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwvgIcFV_XejhIOv9z2QdcYy0gqEyRmqkHewJ_oM_WOPIYLDC-rFpXe28Ov7H1SgdPZ2yEe2bfhEMZ8CbIVZZXmT02PVUl2FByuWirb38l-9IBMq-OBQmFyLcQzlZz2LAjCXypTWfuyO7/s320/Captain-America.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0Chicago, IL 60601, USA41.8775205 -87.611232541.8656975 -87.6309735 41.8893435 -87.5914915tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-56999920183473348372012-05-18T09:00:00.000-06:002012-06-19T17:34:21.270-06:00How to Write Good<br />
<a href="http://tangledlaces.blogspot.com/">Emily's</a> father sent along this note---and it's perfect.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
HOW TO WRITE GOOD</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By Frank L. Visco</div>
<br />
My several years in the word game have learnt me several rules:<br />
<br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Avoid alliteration. Always.<br />
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.<br />
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Avoid clichés like the plague. (They’re old hat.)<br />
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Employ the vernacular.<br />
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.<br />
6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.<br />
8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Contractions aren’t necessary.<br />
9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.<br />
10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One should never generalize.<br />
11.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.”<br />
12.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Comparisons are as bad as clichés.<br />
13.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Don’t be redundant; don’t use more words than necessary; it’s highly superfluous.<br />
14.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Profanity sucks.<br />
15.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Understatement is always best.<br />
16.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.<br />
17.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One-word sentences? Eliminate.<br />
18.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.<br />
19.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The passive voice is to be avoided.<br />
20.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.<br />
21.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.<br />
22.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Who needs theoretical questions?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0Chicago, IL 60601, USA41.8775205 -87.611232541.8656975 -87.6309735 41.8893435 -87.5914915tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-85024947079782261102012-05-17T08:41:00.000-06:002012-06-19T17:35:50.627-06:00Book Review: The Tiger’s Wife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUs0Eu_KzCSG5XYT4JF4mRJPxp2lpobQ_lirySRsrx5qSHMhBHXszr32W3qU7dU0mf5ecwdWVid1Gg7HTbVyu6oTBI5d1p6Igs18-CyD2E2WGgRIcv1mzWHFu-jlD8dKz9NIULYOmS6QIL/s1600/The-Tigers-Wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUs0Eu_KzCSG5XYT4JF4mRJPxp2lpobQ_lirySRsrx5qSHMhBHXszr32W3qU7dU0mf5ecwdWVid1Gg7HTbVyu6oTBI5d1p6Igs18-CyD2E2WGgRIcv1mzWHFu-jlD8dKz9NIULYOmS6QIL/s320/The-Tigers-Wife.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">For book club, we recently read <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Tigers-Wife-A-Novel/dp/0385343841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337265232&sr=8-1">The Tiger’s Wife</a></i> by Tea Obreht. The verdict was split as two of us liked the book while two did not.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">I didn’t like it. I thought that it was a hodgepodge of stories thrown together with no connection or meaning. The two who liked the book appreciated that nothing was decided. They liked how open-ended it was so that they could pull the book together in their heads. I thought that it was incomplete.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">In reality, this book was about two stories:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">1. The Deathless Man</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">2. The Tiger’s Wife</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">I really enjoyed both stories on their own. If each story appeared as a short piece in <i>The New Yorker</i> or a similar publication, I would have been impressed. However, in this book the stories were haphazardly slapped together through a present-day character. I was confused and annoyed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">The two stories were good---the book was not.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Next up for book club: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lamb-Gospel-According-Christs-Childhood/dp/0380813815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337263794&sr=8-1"><i>Lamb</i></a> by Christopher Moore</span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0Chicago, IL 60601, USA41.8775205 -87.611232541.8656975 -87.6309735 41.8893435 -87.5914915tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8670921776948219556.post-66364415220415647952012-05-14T08:04:00.000-06:002012-05-17T09:00:10.361-06:00Summer in Chi-townChicago's spring has been pretty gross. I swear that we have had a worse spring than winter. After 10 weeks of soccer and running, I've only had to wear sunscreen once---and that was yesterday (my poor, delicate, sun-starved skin still got burned).<br />
<br />
But once the sun comes out and buildings warm up, Chicago in the summer just can't be beat.<br />
<br />
Here are some of my views from just two days in the sun:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4afqcldIeo8T1WHzHLSX6ffGyh8NbilIuVdJlY6K_eBruKIJn8BcC6YgvjycFxucp7a_l9Z0SjZG9ZsodGxuHkoW9nBzYuv-rr_4i7jp2MQaeho8cVEo9B52YkO0LPL8p4IMpM1M0sXsM/s1600/photo(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4afqcldIeo8T1WHzHLSX6ffGyh8NbilIuVdJlY6K_eBruKIJn8BcC6YgvjycFxucp7a_l9Z0SjZG9ZsodGxuHkoW9nBzYuv-rr_4i7jp2MQaeho8cVEo9B52YkO0LPL8p4IMpM1M0sXsM/s320/photo(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading by Lake Michigan on Friday evening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8zzJhnoilBPPa3xI1yP19iIMjLnTp32m5GzYk9cO1Sf4aCy92gs51l_ENwTspAHHGpiNTA-reTZpOWb5BJKuzRCBBfvnPfQicuEWEhPsSM6IFJK3pI-1h7xBCLKPox_el1p0txMo9kdV/s1600/photo(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8zzJhnoilBPPa3xI1yP19iIMjLnTp32m5GzYk9cO1Sf4aCy92gs51l_ENwTspAHHGpiNTA-reTZpOWb5BJKuzRCBBfvnPfQicuEWEhPsSM6IFJK3pI-1h7xBCLKPox_el1p0txMo9kdV/s320/photo(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday was one of those days where everything looked gorgeous, even my alien-like apartment building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYAkSNGJsH2Nh7GTBffvjsmJrVAp7sq3NjGrtfrMagrgzgwqYAJVvsI_1DzCAeC3D1SIZ-9W_a90O892uIMu0T4pdKsv7DDPhtp2PQtSmnUcgLl0od197S-z7jVUxVEMmaCztoHPkwNiF/s1600/Tanning" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYAkSNGJsH2Nh7GTBffvjsmJrVAp7sq3NjGrtfrMagrgzgwqYAJVvsI_1DzCAeC3D1SIZ-9W_a90O892uIMu0T4pdKsv7DDPhtp2PQtSmnUcgLl0od197S-z7jVUxVEMmaCztoHPkwNiF/s320/Tanning" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My apartment may be empty, but it's now great for tanning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwMoGPD_sLP89QOElWcz5NWyxdDMGQiC6MoLUi0Fiml6Sprm7WnuJLltssTe_xr-Hljc28t1oMO4EO4lDCU5tXrjJyS1MuYbZJKD71hxWOnvKX9KJ8p8BO1zUxnTjexOZqf9_yLEBJfzE/s1600/Office+View" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwMoGPD_sLP89QOElWcz5NWyxdDMGQiC6MoLUi0Fiml6Sprm7WnuJLltssTe_xr-Hljc28t1oMO4EO4lDCU5tXrjJyS1MuYbZJKD71hxWOnvKX9KJ8p8BO1zUxnTjexOZqf9_yLEBJfzE/s320/Office+View" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning view of Chicago from my office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828455616520292740noreply@blogger.com0Chicago, IL 60601, USA41.8775205 -87.611232541.8656975 -87.6309735 41.8893435 -87.5914915