RUN: 2 miles @??:??, Home <-LL-> WM

Tonight's run was a late start... 9:40pm-ish - I had put in an extra hour at work then had some empanadas as an after-work snack.

I ran to Wal-Mart to buy a new tube of toothpaste - I have too many tubes at home already (I bought in bulk and on impulse) then regretted it after reading on its label "should not be used for more than 4 weeks at a time" (wtf?).

Anyways: running. Wal-Mart. toothpaste.

The shopping was easy -- within seconds, I had what I wanted in my hand (wait, that doesn't sound right). Then I walked over to the Wii...

40 minutes of Super Mario Galaxy later...
I head to checkout. When I walked outside, I had my headphones on, so I didn't notice it right away, but a teenaged girl (one of many) in a car parked in front of the store, was serenading me (and badly) with some rock ballad I didn't stay long enough to recognize. I just smiled then sprinted off.

Then, approaching the roundabout, I heard a quick honk and saw a truck pointed at the roundabout stopped as if dumbfounded... There was a car driving the wrong way (clockwise). The car proceeded to exit east onto Wickham but on the wrong side of the divided street (WTF?). Seriously, what's the deal there? I hope the driver was British... there's just no other excuse.

After that, I continue home, and pretty much sprinted the last two-thirds-of-a-mile (and then really tearing the last tenth). I know that I need more sprint workouts, but just putting in some miles in tonight is big for me. And even though 40 minutes was probably too much time to rest, I don't feel bad for having that quality Wii-time.

Anyways, I don't want to think about packing for the Ohio trip or about Christmas cards. And I particularly don't want to think about all the holiday parties at work - the same person who came into the office sick three weeks straight is organizing a "Chinese Gift Exchange". I don't usually get offended easily, but something about the seemingly incredibly arbitrary qualifier bothers me. I sort of "Replied All" to the event notice with:

"I hope that the 'Chinese' is describing the 'Gift' and not the 'Exchange'."
then sort of regretted it. I think that it was a combination of the two: the source and the substance. The situation just seems so toxic.

I should just mind my own business and not be such a drama queen.

That's about it for today - I scheduled a meeting for a design review and am starting on another design investigation. Oh, and Pat won the Top 3@3 this afternoon. I'm thinking that I should just give up on my dream of being caller #7 for the "24 Days of Christmas" contest because WA1A radio contests are like heroin in my veins. Seriously.

Anyways, here's the obligatory kitchen pic for tonight's run:

Not-so-sweaty CeddyI thought that I'd make it to bed early, but I've still got a slice of pie and ice cream to eat before bed.

CATABLOG: Wii-Sync-ed

Howdy Chuck,
Oh, that Sympathy-Playing StinkyPants... I kind of figured that the soft food should be just about every other day, but Nala went to the table, so I obliged... she seems to look look forward to the wet Meow Mix (instead of the Friskers). Anyways, yeah, I'll refrain tomorrow. One of them wet-hairballed near the food dispenser. Does that happen often or could it be a result of substituting food for affection? I'll be sure to play with them more as you suggested.

StinkyPants was more curious tonight, checking on my sandwich from Crispers, and Nala was more... upright tonight - seems to me like a good sign.

The mail/food/poop pics for tonight are about the same as yesterday - a couple store coupons you won't be able to use in time (Bombay Company and Best Buy), the cats like the water (refilled), and poop is poop (cleaned it up... again, it's pretty fun... *note to self: stop typing*).

I played a game of tennis (getting much better) and bowling (only a 155 *meh*) on the Wii then headed to the office. It's easier to concentrate when I can put the music on loud and with no one else around. A lot to do before the weekend... I've just got to adjust my expectations and just try my best with it. Oh, I hope that y'all figured out y'all's Ethernet issue at site. I hope you're also enjoying the area.

My little sis and one of her friends are visiting this weekend, and I'm both excited and anxious. It's been so busy around here. At least I'll have some quality time with them on Sunday for sure. Disney!

Anyways, gotta head home and jump into bed. Sorry no pics tonight. Will probably have catch-up pics posted tomorrow night depending on whether or not I'm heading back to the office for another late night session. Getting pics of the cats in action is going to be challenging...

~Cedric

CATABLOG: Sneek Peek and the Need for Wii-Lief

Howdy Chuck,
Nala and StinkyPants are doing fine. I checked up on them tonight. I brought in the mail, refilled their food, and cleaned out their litterbox. Work was really rough today -- didn't get the coding put in review as desired... just roadblock after roadblock -- so I destressed by playing some wee (I bowled a 170 and a 199!). When I opened the door, the cats were both right there seeing who it was. StinkyPants poked around my Happy Meal dinner, while Nala laid down on the loveseat for pretty much all evening; she must really miss you not to hide from me (did that thought make sense... it's late and I'm not sure what's making sense anymore).

I think that I'm doing what you're doing and staying up. I think that I'd SO miss my flight if I went to bed thinking that I was getting good sleep. I've slept through multiple alarms before.

Anyways, just wanted to post some Kitty pics tonight so you'd know that your babies are okay. I put out three extra bowls of water on the counter just in case. I'll check on them when I get home Sunday night.

Here are the pics:

Nala
StinkyPants
The Mail
Food and Water
The Kitty Litter
Treat
Yeah, I gave them a bonus treat tonight because it'll be a few days before I'll be back and I want them to think of me fondly. Oh, the bribing...

Anyways, I hope that all is well with you in California. I'm also looking forward to the change of scenery.
~Cedric