TOP 3: Week of October 9-15, 2006

1. Coming Out With Pride Orlando: at this event I felt the sense of family, community, acceptance, and hope that I needed after such a week of unease. My mind and body have been getting worn-out by Florida and it's vanilla landscape, but Orlando Pride was able to inject some color to the canvas. Also, I was able to catch up with a lot of people, and I'm didn't feel quite so much like I was alone. Plus I got a lot of good swag from the parade: a Disney mouse hat, and a Universal Studios visor and magnetic picture frame. And even though I went to the event by myself, I was able to find most of Orlando friends there and also find that special positive reinforcement.

2. West Orange Trail: my mini-adventure for Friday -- finding the place and then rollerblading friggin' 26 miles, which I'm counting as experience towards next year's Disney Inline Marathon that my older sister is interesting in. The trail itself was very well-kept, and the changes of scenery was wonderful; I liked the fact that every half-mile was marked and that there was water available. The entire journey to and from there was pleasant, exciting, and endorphin producing.

3. Running Practice with Greg: The best practice so far should get a spot in the top 3. It was an aggressive practice that started off at the right speed. Even-pacing and the pick ups at the end was one of those "more than I could've asked for" sort of feelings. And Greg was a good running partner. Coach has high expectations from me... 13:00 for Tuesday's two-mile time trials. We'll see.

HM. Kathy Griffin: Kathy Griffin did a great job when she came to perform at the King Center. And it was exciting to see a few familiar faces in the crowd. And meeting Kathy afterwards with the dozen or so others was a thrill. But the reason this event didn't make my Top 3 is because even though I was pumped afterwards, the feeling just wasn't able to hold up the next day at work. The boost from this experience was sort-of short lived, but does deserve an honorable mention.

TV Show(s) of the Week: Heroes and Miami Ink

Song of the Week: Track 1 on Keisuke Kuwata "Top Of The Pops" album

Other notable events:
- LongDoggers with Rob (subEvent of the SHOW: Kathy Griffin blog; the food there was really good and the waitress was nice; it's easier being friends with people when I don't have the stress of working with them)
- Winter Garden Publix (subEvent of the WOT mini-adventure; I picked up lunch from here and the people there were so nice; there was also where I spotted a hot cop as mentioned in the BLADE: WOT blog)
- Talking with Cindy (she really calmed me down Wednesday night when I was stressing with working 14 hrs that day; i really appreciate having her as family)
- Letter from Karen (exciting and made me smile; I didn't get a chance to write a reply letter right away because I wanted to add a CD of cool music and a picture of Adrian Pasdar... and I've been stressing about it for a week; I hope to get it done tonight?)
- Blading and Boba (Saturday's mini-adventure to WM & the Avenue on my blades; and I felt chic with a Lychee Slushie Boba drink in hand, blading down the sidewalks along Lake Andrew Dr.)
- Finding Nemo Preview (not so much very enjoyable considering a major headache and eye pain after a short night's sleep; the ride was somewhat disappointing, but the decor is well-thoughtout, and I'm sure that my opinion of it will change for the better after reality sets in.)
- Cure for Road Rage (not listening to music helps me not road rage? I think so but it resembles taking naps... effective if I am able to get myself to do it)... a good-to-know nonetheless)
- Small Interaction with Jason (my across-the-street neighbor's a great guy and we've been meaning to spend some time together but the chance never really presented itself; it's been three years and him and his wife are moving to Germany soon, so being able to spend some time with him as he's preparing the house was satisfying in a way)
- Sunday Long Run (12 miles -- 5 out and back on 15K course, then a mile out and back from WP, with Loran, Dave, and Robin; another good run, though my stomach was particularly bad... still, those guys are great in pulling me through it)