EVENT: Memorial Day in Five Pairs

JOURNAL: Home All Day

Today, I stayed home... all day. I did get out to trim a tree and a bush before it got too dark, but that's it. I rearranged my home office and watched two DVDs-worth of The Office, then watched four of my favorite episodes of Brothers & Sisters online (it's a great show... it has an attractive cast, engaging storylines, and hasn't sold out to the desires of the higher-ups or (worse yet) the writers' impression of what the viewers want).

I talked to mommy on the phone. She and dad are visiting my older sister and the doggies up in Maryland. Sounds like they're having a wonderful time, and I really wish that I was up there with them this weekend.

Anyways, I was on the verge of going crazy (again) for spending a free-day in Melbourne, but mom had the good suggestion of doing some work outside.

If there's someone local that I can always count on to keep me feeling connected to the world, it'd be Fravel. He reminds me of why I run. He gets me excited for keeping up with running, and it's cool to have a friend who shares a hobby. We're planning on running early tomorrow morning, then I'm hoping to make it back out to the parks...

and I'm getting anxious again. I don't know what kind of crowds to expect or what my intentions would be exactly. Perhaps I just need a walk-around-the-resorts sort of day... and if so, I'd be tempted to buy one of those refillable cup-mugs (free refills, right?... and why didn't I get one of those before?).

It's almost midnight, and we're supposed to be running EARLY, so I REALLY should be getting to the shower then bed right now.

DISNEY: Two Weekends Left

After spending all of my free Friday in Melbourne (omg), I rewarded myself with another trip to Disney on Saturday. Granted, much of my Dis"Need" was satisfied last weekend, I only have two more weekends left on my Annual Pass, and although I'm about 80% sure that I'm going to renew, I still felt the need to go... and go early... again.

I decided on Epcot (for the Test Track), and I brought my new Sparkle Stitch (his first time out to the parks) and Sweetie Bear who hasn't made it out since the trip to the outlet mall a couple months ago.

I ended up heading towards Soarin' first. I was going to hold out on the ride until September, when my older sister and I go to Disneyland for the Half-Marathon, but it's been a while, and I remembered that there were some queue refurbing happening. I met a group of lively and friendly early 20-uns (?) from Lakeland who were fun to joke around with and all. There was a wall set up along the length of the queue, so the walkway was narrow but moved quickly (I wonder how they would manage the crowd once the wait gets longer than 50 minutes). Anyways, when figuring groups, I wasn't included, which was fine, but it sent me back to reality, which was that I was there by myself, which is something I get asked more often than not, but which I'm used to/immune to/okay with.

(Wow, I used 3 which's and 2 but's in that last [run-on] sentence.)

Anyways, afterwards, I walked ahead, realizing that I could either try to assimilate into the wild-and-crazy group (they were going to try to do all four parks in one day) or I just go do my own thing. I know better than to hope or strain, so I went ahead to Test Track and their single-rider's line. I think it's the best single-riders' line in all the parks, though the single-riders' line for Rock'n'Rollercoaster is pretty fast too, though Test Track is definitely the most fun for a single rider because of the fact that we'd be put with a couple other people in the row (so no awkward it's-only-you-and-me moments). Plus the other people get a kick when I do my Britney Spears impression. And this time I was able to do it with Sparkle Stitch the first time and Sweetie Bear the second time:
In the gift shop, I looked at the "Here Comes Trouble" [Stitch] window decal and saw that it was Finally on sale (for $3.99). I got two of them! Anyways, afterwards, I headed towards the front entrance. I skipped Spaceship Earth because I still wanted to savor the memory of my last time on it, when I was with my guy... the guy... a guy(?)... guy(?!). Anyways, the music being played at the front wasn't the theme to Soarin and wasn't from Peter Pan. I think it was from the POTC3 soundtrack... hmm... that'd be good synergy, plus I didn't like the Peter Pan audio.

Anyways, I somewhat hesitantly got on the monorail and headed to Magic Kingdom. I say 'hesitantly' because otherwise I would've headed right then to Downtown Orlando to the tea house, but I figured that I needed to do at least two parks.

First thing, I took the railroad to Frontierland (to save some walking, plus it's relaxing, like the parking lot trams). I saw thatSplash Mountain was only an estimated 30-minute wait so I rode it. Then after getting a Jungle Cruise FastPass in Adventureland, I walked through the center of the park to Tomorrowland. I felt the urge to ride the TTA (again, relaxing), afterwhich, I bought a bucket of popcorn (crisper than the microwave popcorn I have at home, plus the souvenir bucket!) and then made my way counter-clockwise through Fantasyland and Liberty Square, where I stopped by the Haunted Mansion -- I knew that it was going to be down for a more-than-a-couple-weeks refurb soon and just wanted to get it in. It was crowded, but pretty fun since I was talking with a family from Tennessee who are new to the parks and everyone was excited.

Then it was time for Jungle Cruise! I didn't see my favorite Jungle Cruise guy:

. But I saw someone who could've been:
Unfortunately, I was put on a boat after the Could've-Been guy, whose guide was obviously new, nervous, and not my type. Yeah, it was painful, but oh well...

I took the monorail back to Epcot and engaged in some small talk (about FOOD!) with my fellow riders. It made me feel good. Happy, smiling, friendly people. Yay! So I was done with the two parks by 2:30pm and headed onto the tea house.

I spent the rest of the sunny day inside the shop, helping with the cleaning and serving (not so much the sandwich-making or the ringing-up). I was so happy to see Cori -- I haven't seen him in the longest time -- and Trace, Nigel, and I met Kathy(sp?). Cori and Kathy made "frappucinos" while I made coffee with chocolate-and-simple syrup. I had a large cup of it but quickly got really tired (reverse action?).

After a couple hours, it was just down to Cori and me. We handled a good rush, and at the end of the night, he gave me all of the tips. I totally wasn't expecting that, because I was there just to help, and I was had a wonderful time. But I did take it. It was my gas money, which is both a depressing thought and also one that gets me to feel more appreciative of where I am. I do miss the tea house.

And to cap off the day, I went to a Shindig at my friend Minish's. It was fun to hang out with Disney people. I miss the feeling of being part of a group with a common bond... like being on an All-State Math Team bus playing Egyptian Rat Screw... or going to Cookie break in pajamas with people from down the hall in college. Anyways, it was fun, and I safely made the hour-drive home listening to some Savage Love podcasts.

It was a full and nice day -- Disney, Tea House, Shindig. There was variety and sociability. Why don't I just move to Orlando?

DISNEY: Four Parks Plus [atf]

[This entry is ATF.]
Just catching up here. Last Sunday, I satisfied my two-week absence from WDW with an all out, four-park, two-shopping-district, two-resort amazing race day.

Animal Kingdom:
- Expedition Everest
- Kilimanjaro Safari
- Festival of the Lion King (gave a Screaming Flying Monkey to the Tumble Monkeys)
- *Dinosaur
- Primeval Whirl
Disney-MGM Studios:
- had a Frozen Banana
- MuppetVision 3D (received a certificate for "Finding the Key!")
- (received another certificate as an Indy Trivia Champ)
- *Aerosmith Rock'n'Rollercoaster (twice)
Epcot:
- had Fish & Chips from the United Kingdom
- Living With the Land
- *Segway Central at Innoventions
Magic Kingdom:
- *Swiss Family Robinson Tree-house
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority

VIDEO: So You Think You Can't Dance

I should really get rabbit ears since Season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance has started. I tried finding clips online, on YouTube. Well, I couldn't find any footage from Fox footage but I came across this video. I don't know why I actually watched it. It's funny plus the song kind of grows on you.

RUN: 2 miles @15:04, Home <--> WM

Tonight, I finally made it back out for a run, a nice and easy two mile run across the roundabout to the side of WM. I ran mostly on the grass and felt more of a workout for my upper-body (which really needs it). My knees didn't ache afterwards, but I think it was the running on grass, the easy warm-up of mowing the lawn, and the fact that I mowed the lawn, bought a couple of wedding gifts (used coupons!), and got my ticket for tomorrow's 8:00pm showing of POTC3!

The movie is getting mah reviews (50% at RT.com, yet 8.6 at imdb) *shrug*. It's going to be my 3-hour planned distraction tomorrow night. Then who knows what the rest of the 4-day weekend will bring... Disney? Universal? Tea House!

I'm digressing.

Anyways, work's been better since yesterday. My officemate and I... we didn't have a "heart-to-heart"... but we cleared the air -- attempting to understand each other. My heart and body was so full of conflicting/confusing emotions -- knowing that I couldn't have a heart-to-heart, but also knowing that I had to be sure that I stood up for myself this time. I hadn't expected for things to come to a head that day and just didn't know what to do with all the emotion (he actually apologized! (totally unexpected!)).

So that was what happened towards the end of yesterday. Today, the air was much clearer, and it was nice not carrying around such hard feelings. And I realized that although we may not ever be the best professional team, it doesn't mean that we can't still work together effectively. It'll one day at a time. And that's something that we both can agree on.

Now, for those who've been missing them, here are some kitchen pics from tonight:

FOOD: PUD Cake

WORK: On Fire?

After the picnic, I headed to work. As I approached... could this be?Was my office on fire?...
.
.
.
Nope. The fire was far on the other side. Oh well.

When I left the office, it was dark and on the way to the Interstate I saw the fire, glowing big, orange and red. It was a grand sight like looking out at the ocean. Perhaps next time, I'll pull the car over and take a moment.

EVENT: SCR Awards Picnic

I'm still unable to put together words... to make sentence... with sense. Here are some pictures from picnic. Food. People I know. Bird in garage.

Another Year, Another Cake :)Congratulations!Steve and Kelly let me baby-sit KaraMmm... FoodRobin and WayneKara N., Ed, JenJohn and Donna -- Fire and IceT-Shirts from the SCR ROY Series RacesSteve, Kelly, & Kara H.Bird in Garage

MUSIC: "Life Is Beautiful" by Vega4

I absolutely love this song. It was the free iTunes song of the week a few weeks ago. It brings out the feeling of freedom in the people that we love -- that we can't help but love... "Life Is Beautiful" by Vega4

MUSIC: "Black And White Movie" by Janove Ottesen

I found this song on one of those promotional cds from god knows how long ago... but I had it in the office and needed something to occupy my ears. I just can't stop looping this song. I'd suggest just listening and not so much watch the video *shrug*. Here is is though. "Black And White Movie" by Janove Ottesen

RUNS: Monday and Thursday

I'm supposed to be keeping track of my diet, sleep, relaxation, exercise, and social...ness -- and also rating my stress and mood. It's a project to try to get on some sort of regular routine. But I've been slacking. Oh well. I'm not going to stress about it.

Gotta catch up on the run record though. Not much activity there... just a couple of outings this week. Monday, after the running club meeting, I ran with my friend Paul. 3 miles, nothing woo, just at 7:52 pace, then walked a couple quarter-miles loops for cool-down. And today after work, I headed to Wickham Park and ran a half-mile warm-up then a couple miles at 7:05 pace. Then I ran/walked the half-mile back to my car. My right knee was bothering me, so I didn't push it.

Tonight I'm heading to see the early showing of Shrek the Third. It's at 10:00pm... (no midnight showing), which I guess is good. Tomorrow night, I'm going to try to go see my friend Emily in the Henegar Center's production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (aka. Little Shop of Whores (and I mention that all in good fun)). I'm expecting it to be a lively production. Woo! Then Saturday's the Running Club's Annual Picnic and Awards Ceremony. I won't be getting anything, but there'll be food and a lot of photo ops. Then Sunday's all about the Disney. SUCH a hankering for it. I'm SO THERE - RAIN OR SHINE!

Anyways, there's no "kitchen pic" tonight... but here's one from the home office:Have a safe trip, Sweetie :)

PHOTOS: Mother's Day

Okay, I'm not so much in the writing mood, so here's the pictures
(I <3 Mommy):

STITCH: Working on it.

We just got back home from a trip to South Carolina to visit grandMOM for Mother's day. We're hoping to have something up by Friday. -The Stitches

MISC: Screaming Flying Monkeys have arrived!

RUN: 3 miles Home <--> WM&stores @ 23:41

Today, I didn't push it -- not at work, not at home. But steady I was. At work, it was pretty calm... a couple puzzles figured out, some progress made, but nothing so much to completion. I could have stayed longer and tried, but my whole body was tired, and my energies were best focused towards home.

It was an easy drive home, and as I turned about the round, I had to turn around and park and get this picture of our neighborhood entrance. The colors of the sky, grass, and palms were vibrant and calling out, so I obliged.
Instead of heading in and loafing, I quickly changed and worked on the lawn... since I was home while there was still daylight. No bunnies this time, but I did take the opportunity to hand sweep the edgings instead of using the blower. It was calming.

I headed out for a run afterwards... I was thinking 30 minutes... 3 miles... so I ran the WM+stores loop (~3 miles) not so much racing as just a very easy run. No FB-ing, no music... I carried just a swig of water. It was a bit chilly running without a shirt but not chilly enough for me to turn around after a tenth-of-a-mile. On the way home, I met some neighbors who recognized me from my run towards the Avenue over the weekend. It's amazing how open people are to you when you keep your mind open.

Anyways, easy run... no sweat in the eye, but a good start-and-stop of sweating. Notice below in the picture how much belly-sweat I produced. yum... speaking of which, I made an appointment with the doctor tomorrow for a look at the lump at the base of my throat and for a diabetes test. I have to fast for 12 hours prior... so that means waking up in the middle of the night to eat (appointments at 4:30pm) or trying to go all day without (ooo... I'll be SO cranky). Or do you want to bet that I'm totally going to forget and have to cancel that test? It happened last time... Anyways, shower, then gorging, then bed (I know, bad, but gotta since I won't be able to eat tomorrow). Here's the pic (belly sweat):

RUN: Another 6.0 miles, Home <--> VHS @43:43

Tonight I ran the same 6 miles as I did last Wednesday.

All day, I felt the anxiety of whether or not to head over to Orlando for a visit to Disney and/or the Tea House. Instead, I managed the following:

• oil changed - for the long drive home next weekend
  
• a mcgriddle - felt a lump of it in my chest as i ran tonight
  
• a nap - my "pre-late-start-to-disney" nap
  
• chinese takeout lunch - 2 for the price of 1 chinese takeout dinner
  
• a season-and-a-half of arrested development - just like last weekend
  
• lost, ugly betty, and brothers&sisters - not enough tv?
  
• iron clothes - it had to be done
  
• attempt to hem pants - it didn't work
  
• went for a run - it was good
  
• happy post-run meal - i love it when it's fun to eat

Okay, so no Disney today, but I think that this dose of easy reality was needed. I wish that I could've been more social today, but there's already plans for tomorrow.

Time for shower and bed.

Today's kitchen picture[notice the haircut... yeah, short means that I messed up *shrug* :) ]

PUG: Save a life

FOOD: Dinner at Ernie's

Even though I no longer have to dog-sit this weekend, it didn't mean Ernie and I had to cancel our pre-dog-sit dinner.

Mushroom and Tarragon Chicken
on a bed of wild rice with asparagusLady the fox terrier,
and Taco the chihuahua

RUN: 6 miles, Home <--> Viera High School @ 44:32

Gmap confirms 6.0 miles pretty exactly.

Too late in the night to expound on this bad-day-at-work-equals-run-day (three in a row this week!). Two more chances at redemption.

MUSIC: "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae

My bit of audible-melodic-sunshine
(from About's Top 10 Gay Music CDs).

RUN: 8x400 @1:23, Wickham Park

[This post is ATF.]

Tuesday wasn't a good day at work either. The unfounded pressures of an imagined supposed-to-be office work day was compounded by the unconscionable extrusion of blood and piss. Unsure of where I'd channel these toxins, I held long enough to carry past the end of work, but not tight enough to make it to the start of practice clean.

Luckily my friend Paul was there to catch me as I began to spiral down. "Let's run it off," he said. And we did. 8x400 spaced with 3-minute therapy and meaningful cheer-leading. He's an incredible friend and a caring father.

It's amazing when I talk with friends and see how they each cope with their stresses. It's admirable how they carry themselves. I feel like an Alice journeying through a wonderland, getting a feeling of the different set of challenges that various life paths offer. I'm feeling more like the witness, the spectator, the tourist. And there's nothing wrong with that. I'm still relatively young, still out to make my set of mistakes. I just have to be willing to learn.

Strip away the unnecessary to open myself to be ready to take on the next challenge.

And then again, there are those challenges that inherently take build-up and planning before it should take head.

[I'm going to continue this line of though on the next/current/UTD running entry.]

[but to finish the run and night...]

I ran the eight quarter-miles with my friend Paul, and we hit them pretty evenly. I ran 1:10, then a series of six 1:23s, then finished with a 1:05. And this is without warmup. I was able to convert most of the angst from work into speed and though, and I really appreciate Paul being there.

We did a half-mile cool-down a hydrated some before heading out. I stopped by Crispers on the way home and picked up a Pot Roast Potato using a coupon off the back of a Publix receipt and the gift certificate that my little sister and her friend gave me for Spring Break.

I also stopped by Target on the way home to pick up some wine because if there was ever a night to drink... I picked up a small (2-bottle) box of red sangria and a backup bottle of riesling. Waiting for me in the mailbox was the Disney YOAMD Vacations DVD so that went into the player as I poked open the wine and prepared the potato au jus.

I talked to my sister while I ate (the potato was incredible), and I had had a glass and a half in me before the first bite (the potato was incredible). My head was full, and I was imagining a life up north.

After I got off the phone with her and the potato was gone, I took a shower in lukewarm hot water (remember: water heater's been turned off) and attempted the first half of B&S before heading back to the couch to d&d my guy. I reached another high-point of wishful thinking before we let each other go again. And I passed out right there until the repetitious music from the Disney Vacation DVD's main menu and the overhead living room lights was worth attending to, and I moved to the bedroom and had a deathless sleep.

Okay, here are the pictures:

Me, not so sweaty anymoreThe Box of WineThe Incredible Potato