JOURNAL: Early Monday

My alarm went off at 6:14 AM, and I answered it.

"Gotta get out of bed, get in some clothes, and get out the door, or this chance at an early start will evaporate!"

I wouldn't call it a New Year's Resolution, but I do want to get to work earlier because the benefits really do outweighs the effort for the trouble. For one thing, I'm not stressing about time - I have a buffer, if needed, to make my nine hours. For another, it's quiet so I get a lot of work done early - a good start - and that hour goes by so quickly.

I know that those examples should be rewards in themselves, but I will let myself further reinforce the practice by doing something like treating myself to breakfast (this morning, it was McDonald's).

I got to work 45 minutes early, and the day was good. I finished my design, sent out a meeting notice, followed up with asking good questions, and was surprising alert at this afternoon's telecon.

4:45 PM rolled around, and I could've stayed over to "normal time" and get ahead an hour, but I figured that I deserved to let myself leave with just the nine (knowing that tomorrow's a "clean slate" as to whether I get anxious about time).

The day was good; the feeling was unfamiliar... not in it being good, but with the whole Circadian-rhythm aspect of it. Is it something that I can get used to? It'll mean that I'll have to more consistently get to bed at a more-than-reasonable time in the evening. I guess that's something left to be seen. Of course, you'll read about it here, so stay tuned.

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If you're an avid SONEEVDA blog reader, you might have wondered what's happened with my "CARROT". If not, you may be thinking right now that I've a pervert (though some avid readers could possible argue that I'm one nonetheless). Anyways, for the newbies, the CARROT that I speak of is a Walt Disney World Annual Pass that I've been working towards since my other one ran out last June - I'd earn $1 towards a new one for each mile I run, each set of push-ups I do, and for each time I ice an injury.

Well, I've reached my goal. I actually reached it before the Disney Marathon.

I had told myself that, once earned, the WDW Annual Pass would be complete guilt-free, but after having given up cable tv for almost a year now, the idea of living without another luxury is not unimaginable.

The fact that my weekends are incredibly busy as is and the fact that price of gas is friggin' high are adequate reasons to just "be practical".

Thinking about it, Disney's not going away, and I'm already signed up for a few of their races (Disneyland Half, and next year's Goofy Challenge). Also, there are those "special ticket" celebrations that I can go to with a friend and see the parks even more spectacularly dressed-up.

I think that the pass is not a necessity but will still leave the option open.

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Some [very] recent visitors to SONEEVDA may have noticed that a couple of my entries have gone MIA. The reasoning behind this is that, if posted, my blog would be SUPER-easily search-able by people that I work with. And although I'm not one to hide the fact that I am a... homosexual, I figure that the less unnecessary publicity, probably the more better.

I mean, just today a couple of co-workers told me that they've seen my facebook -- granted they were more excited by the fact that they were able to get on facebook. And I know of someone who've visited my myspace. That doesn't bother me. The difference between facebook/myspace and here is that here I write down thoughts and I just don't want the feeling that I have to go back through 700+ (w00t!) blog entries to check whether or not I need to censor myself ( that'd be a major "BAH!").

Rest assured, these posts will resurface in a couple months.

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That's it for now... I just made (oven-ed) a Mickey Mouse pizza... and American Gladiators is on tonight (WOO!), then it's probably to early bed after that.

:)

RUN: 5.6 miles @??:??, Home <-LL-> Stadium/VHS (cw)

This morning I wanted to put in some miles since it would be the only chance to run this weekend. But by the time I woke up (8 am), it was hot outside... still, I headed out - sans music mais avec sunglasses, water bottle, and knee strap (rt).

I ran the stadium-pkwy-up-to-viera-high-school loop (clockwise).When I started out, my legs were tight, but some stretching at the 1/2 mile marker helped. Still, it was hot so I had to walk a lot. I could feel my body/head/face getting overheated and knew better than to push myself - so I resisted tacking on wm+.

Towards the end, I cut my pace (difficult to do) but enjoyed my time out in the sun (oh, I had on spray-on sunscreen). Now it's blog, lunch, and re-watching the last Pushing Daisies online; it's nominated for three golden globes (TV Comedy Series, TV Comedy Actor, TV Comedy Actress). GO DAISIES!

Here's your Hot and Sweaty Ceddy pics:

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CARROT UPDATE: With this morning's run, the total is up to $332.50

Note #1: My contribution rate has been slowing how now that I've stopped with the sit-ups and push-ups -- I've been primarily relying on mileage.

Note #2: I recently noticed that the price of a Disney Annual Pass is no longer the $375 I reported on this program's onset. It is now listed as $350. With the Ohio trip looming and the marathon around the corner, I'm deciding to keep to the original schedule of $375.

Goal: $375.00
So far: $332.50
To go: $42.50

RUN: 3 Miles @??:??, Home<-->WM+stores

I ran tonight... around 9PM. I wore a knee brace and brought the iPod.

Playlist:
1) "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson
2) "Breakable" by Ingrid Michaelson
3) "Song Beneath The Song" by Maria Taylor
4) "The Hardest Part" by Coldplay
5) "Talk" by Coldplay
6) "How Far We've Come" by Matchbox 20
7) "Who Knew" by Pink
8) "Vois Sur Ton Chemin" performed by The Ten Tenors

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I added a new rule for earning money towards my Disney Annual Pass: $1 each time I ice (e.g. my knee). This way, all is not lost if/when I'm injured.

This week, I earned $36.00, bringing this month's total to $97.70 for a total of $167.70 so far (44.72%). At this rate, I'm guessing first week in December but if I step it up, maybe by Thanksgiving.

CARROT: Quick Update

I ran 4 miles this morning before work -- Yes, BEFORE work. I woke up at 6:05am and finished my run in 37:30. I had done this ridiculous thing only because my sister said that she'd be running before work too, so I figured that that's motivation enough. She ran 6 miles in 55:53. She may have run farther, but I ran faster HA!

It was dark and cool. The sidewalks were wet and puddly... same ole here-and-there, pretty boring. I listened to this past weekend's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and This American Life on my iPod (I <3 my iPod!), and my knees didn't so much act up, but iced it when I got to work nonetheless.

I feel chubby. I mean, I know that I'm skinny, but I don't have any ab definition... I'm Britney-Spears-Comeback chubby. Boo. Anyways...

(i miss those kitchen pics, but no camera = no kitchen pics)

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With this morning's 4 miles, I'm up to $119.70, which means I only have $255.30 to go. I'm 31.92% of the way there! I'm not sure where that'll put me as far as the pass goes. I'm hoping that I can get it by Christmas... unless the family decides on a place to meet up, but that's another ramble. Okay, that's it for now.

JOURNAL: I Need Happy

I'm realizing that my deprivations are not serving me well -- first with the cable and now with the Disney. I just feel like I'm punishing myself for not enough of a good reason -- saving money at the expense of what it is that keeps me going.

But a promise is a promise, and no pass until I reach $375, so I did a couple hundred push-ups this weekend and will hopefully keep up with mileage in the coming weeks.
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Goal: $375.00
So far: $60.00 (16.0%)
To go: $315.00

JOURNAL: Hi8us -- Weekend

I'm sick of myself. I need to find a hobby. I'm taking a two-day hi8us. See you Monday.
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Goal: $375.00
So far: $40.50 (10.8%)
To go: $334.50

RUN: 7 1/2 miles, Home <--> Spyglass @1:05:23

INAH. Monday wasn't a good day. I'm not going to elaborate here as to why -- it'd just be a d&t road.

I couldn't find my walk-around-the-lake buddy at work, so I made the walk myself and ran into another friend who offered to walk around with me. He really saved the day and got me through the rest of work.

But heading home, I was drained and fazed. I drove home without any music and didn't realize it until I pulled into the garage.

Once home, I was planning on sitting in the shower for an hour then remembered that I promised my neighbors that I'd take pictures of them with their dogs. I did get a hug from one of the dogs (black labs). I miss the bullies.

Afterwards, I went for a run... a long run in the dark to get my frustration and energies out. I wore compression shorts, brought a bottle of water to the first mile, and carried music. The pace was pretty steady, and I got a good sweat. I took pictures but decided not to post.

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Goal: $375.00
So far: $37.00
To go: $338.00

RUN: 3 miles = $3, Home <--> Murrell

Tonight, I ran three miles while MOM made dinner -- soy sauce chicken drumettes (mmm!). I wore compression shorts and my newer-est shoes and ran with a raspberry hammer gel in-mouth. The run was easy-going and good. I didn't time but guessing 7:45 per mile pace... got a good sweat on.

Anyways, I came home and set up the camera for the traditional kitchen pic, and mom just got in and posed for the picture (HA!):

I <3 MOM
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Today: 25 push-up & 3 miles = $4.00

Goal: $375.00
So far: $14.00
To go: $361.00

JOURNAL: MOM, Day 2

Cindy said that when MOM went to visit her, she cleaned the house and cooked lots of food. I only got the "lots of food"... my house is still dirty. Maybe it's because I can't bribe her with Tivo... or grandchildren.

Anyways, I'm glad to be home and spending time with MOM. We had dinner then played a lot of Rummikub. That's about it. Shower then bedtime.

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Yesterday: 50 sit-ups = $1.00
Today: 50 push-up & 25 sit-ups = $2.50

Goal: $375.00
So far: $10.00
To go: $365.00

CARROT: +$3.00

Tonight, I ran 2 miles ($2.00), and did 13 girly push-ups ($.50) and 25 sit-ups ($.50) = $3.00

Goal: $375.00
So far: $6.50
To go: $368.50

CARROT: $3.50

I have to take better care of myself.

A month ago, I said that I would start doing push-ups and sit-ups on a regular basis. And how many have I done so far? Yeah, none.

I couldn't get myself to take the one minute it would take to do 25 push-ups -- mind you, I wasn't even going for "three sets of yadda"... just one friggin' set. I needed a something to use as motivation.

And the answer was the most obvious.

I've been sans Disney Annual Pass since June 4th. And although that doesn't mean that I haven't been there since, having a pass of my own gives me more freedom to some much-needed distraction.

The pass now costs $375.00 (without tax). So, for every 25 push-ups I do, I'll earn a dollar towards that pass (I'm not going to count tax). And for every 25 sit-ups I do, I'll earn fifty cents. And sure, I'll add running to the qualifiers: a dollar per mile, but only fifty cents per mile if I don't do any stretching before or after.

This is something that I've gotta do for myself. I now have a goal.

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Tonight, I did 50 push-ups ($2.00) and 75 sit-ups ($1.50) = $3.50

Goal: $375.00
So far: $3.50
To go: $371.50