big appetite

Valentine's day was AWESOME!  We put on a three-part hands-on day at the University for a group of ninety sixth-graders.  I was feeling particularly romantic since I was in my best friend's wedding last weekend (Feb 8).  The only downer is that I've had the flu that's going around and it's still sitting in my ears.

January was a great month.  We logged 182 miles between running, hiking, and cycling.  February has not been as good since I've been sick.  I even lost my voice.  I titled this post "big appetite" since I am realizing that I often 'bite off more than I can chew' both literally and metaphorically.  I get overextended and think that magically via some superhuman force, I will be able to do everything I agree to do with gusto and perfection.

Where did this attitude come from?  “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” I think I latched onto this misguided quote at some young age and have been living that way ever since.  It's no accident I live within driving distance (~35 minutes) from the Hollywood walk of fame.  I have so much on my mind that I can't even compose a coherent blog post.  Also, I have too many tags.  When I tell my husband the day's TO DO list, he's like "I don't think it's realistic to get all that done in one day." I'm like, "I'm going to try anyway."

What I am realizing is that moderation is key even in one's career and daily life.  Not just in diet and not just in exercise (see 10% rule) but in all facets of life.  I'm kind of at a career fork.  I went to a job fair and as a result I am kind of bulldozing in two different directions and it's wearing my brain out.  I guess I'm going to have to take my own advice here and stop shooting for the moon.  This shuttle is running out of jet fuel and I don't want to have to improvise a crash landing.

But I'm really enjoying starting to run again.  The Brooks Ghost 6 have 20.6 mi on them and they feel great!  We haven't done any races this year, but I'm hoping we can do something next weekend (Feb 23) or the following one (Mar 2).  We're coming up on our 6th wedding anniversary.  The internet says that's either Iron or Wood.  Does that mean we should take up golf?

Daucus carota (carrot)

I haven't planted any crops for the summer garden.  It's silly since it takes virtually no time and produces ultra-local food all summer long and I can't find one day to get it done.  If I plant too late, the seedlings won't survive the summer heat.  We've had, like, no rain this winter.  There was a wildfire here in Glendale today.  I refuse to water twice a day when it's this dry.  It doesn't seem right.  I did make the labels though (and look up the suggested planting dates in the Farmer's Almanac): carrot (Jan 25), corn (Mar 1), lettuce (Jan 30), beans (Mar 8), squash (Feb 15).  I guess it's nothing fancy.  So I missed carrot, but the others are still a possibility.  Lettuce reseeded itself already.

My student got our abstract accepted to a big conference that I'd really like to go to, but it's over $700 for the registration fee.  Dang-nab-it.  At least we can say that after this year, we will have reached financial equilibrium (or maybe not) but at least we're moving towards it.  Running (and cycling) are definitely helping me manage my posture, self-esteem, and the ups-and-downs of this emotional rollercoaster we call life.  Also coming up is the UNK Alumni Reunion (Mar 1).  Rather than at Knotts Berry Farm where it usually is, there's a new location.  Haven't RSVP'd yet but it would be nice to connect with some Lopers.



Watched this documentary last night about the history and the science of the bicycle.  Maybe we can just ride our Iron bikes and get a Wooden basket for our anniversary.  Wondering if I'll ever take that cross country bike trip.  It seems so close a possibility and yet so improbable.  I turned in my availability to teach summer classes at CSUN last week. Guess we'll see where the career fork takes us.