Um, I have stopped caring about the economy.
It only costs me 61 dollars to fill my tank every 10 days.
I have only now reduced my losses to half of my yearly salary (give or take), in the latest economic downturn! Everything is still okay! We are winning wars everywhere, the surge is working, people are happy with the dollar meal menu choices at McDonalds, Dancing with the Stars is still a big hit, and 90210 is back on the air. Long live the 80s, long live consumerism!
As for my money, after all, I'm whining about me. It should only take me five years to get it back if I want it in cash and still maintain a decent lifestyle of occasional travel, clothing purchases and new tires. I know my income did not decrease by 25-40%, but honestly, it just makes me not want to spend a penny unless I absolutely have to.
The brighter side -- we're all paying more attention to what the hell is going on with our money, right?
nm ready to keel haul an investment banker into shark infested waters
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Fini
Awesome 13.1 split
Slow second half
Not bad overall time
One blister
One lost toenail
3 cheers for TH and ernest who not only waited in the rain to cheer me on and tolerated my bitchy whiny obsession for the last two weeks
Slow second half
Not bad overall time
One blister
One lost toenail
3 cheers for TH and ernest who not only waited in the rain to cheer me on and tolerated my bitchy whiny obsession for the last two weeks
I am taking the week off from energetic persuits.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Is it o.k to want to hurl because you are scared out of your pants?
I'm so afraid that I will not finish this marathon tomorrow in time.
I'm afraid I can't make the distance.
I'm afraid that I'm going to lose at least one toenail on the course.
I'm afraid of failing.
At least the weather prognostication is for a few sprinkles and then overcast,so I'm not going to either overheat or get uncomfortably wet.
Sigh.
26 miles are easy, the last .2 will kill me.
I'm so afraid that I will not finish this marathon tomorrow in time.
I'm afraid I can't make the distance.
I'm afraid that I'm going to lose at least one toenail on the course.
I'm afraid of failing.
At least the weather prognostication is for a few sprinkles and then overcast,so I'm not going to either overheat or get uncomfortably wet.
Sigh.
26 miles are easy, the last .2 will kill me.
Friday, October 03, 2008
wooden arrows galore - or I have nothing of note to say at the moment
Taken verbatim, only the names have been changed to protect the one innocent:
(11:18:29 AM) T_half: so wall street just got a 700B reward for fucking up
(11:19:49 AM) yo_naz: yup, and i may be able to retire before i am 89.
(11:20:02 AM) yo_naz: so what, there are 119 billion in ear marks in the new bill.
(11:20:11 AM) yo_naz: you want everything to go in the toilet?
(11:20:18 AM) T_half: politics as suual
(11:20:22 AM) T_half: usual that is
(11:20:44 AM) T_half: am not convinced that everything would go in the toilet if bill wasn't passed.
(11:20:57 AM) T_half: but we always need corporate socialism
(11:21:13 AM) T_half: we will be paying for this and the invasion of Iraq for the rest of our lives
(11:21:56 AM) T_half: i want the tradeoff to be a whomping excess profits tax - but that will never happen. look at the fricking oil companies
(11:22:22 AM) yo_naz: I personally think that every single non breeding individual who has no debt should get
a 5000 deduction this year for paying taxes that help the breeding non complying foreclosing 2008
car buying tivo and dish owning costco going 40K in credit card debt that will also be bailed
out later this year.
(11:22:42 AM) yo_naz: oh wait, another 500 dollar deduction for not
owning a storage unit.
(11:26:46 AM) T_half: i like that
(11:27:57 AM) yo_naz: Yah!
(11:28:04 AM) yo_naz: I'm going to have to blog that.
(11:18:29 AM) T_half: so wall street just got a 700B reward for fucking up
(11:19:49 AM) yo_naz: yup, and i may be able to retire before i am 89.
(11:20:02 AM) yo_naz: so what, there are 119 billion in ear marks in the new bill.
(11:20:11 AM) yo_naz: you want everything to go in the toilet?
(11:20:18 AM) T_half: politics as suual
(11:20:22 AM) T_half: usual that is
(11:20:44 AM) T_half: am not convinced that everything would go in the toilet if bill wasn't passed.
(11:20:57 AM) T_half: but we always need corporate socialism
(11:21:13 AM) T_half: we will be paying for this and the invasion of Iraq for the rest of our lives
(11:21:56 AM) T_half: i want the tradeoff to be a whomping excess profits tax - but that will never happen. look at the fricking oil companies
(11:22:22 AM) yo_naz: I personally think that every single non breeding individual who has no debt should get
a 5000 deduction this year for paying taxes that help the breeding non complying foreclosing 2008
car buying tivo and dish owning costco going 40K in credit card debt that will also be bailed
out later this year.
(11:22:42 AM) yo_naz: oh wait, another 500 dollar deduction for not
owning a storage unit.
(11:26:46 AM) T_half: i like that
(11:27:57 AM) yo_naz: Yah!
(11:28:04 AM) yo_naz: I'm going to have to blog that.
Monday, September 29, 2008
life in a nutshell
blah.
ack.
groan.
Other than that, I would like to thank co workers and students alike for attending work and classes when you should be at home getting better instead of passing on your god damned colds to me.
I appear to be clenching my jaw at night, gee I wonder why?
Tonight, I'm toast. I went to memorial service/open house, came home, dealt with life and now realize that I have more of life to deal with.
It is just going to have to wait.
I'm going to bed, with a ton of aspirin and airborne in my system.
nm choo
ack.
groan.
Other than that, I would like to thank co workers and students alike for attending work and classes when you should be at home getting better instead of passing on your god damned colds to me.
I appear to be clenching my jaw at night, gee I wonder why?
Tonight, I'm toast. I went to memorial service/open house, came home, dealt with life and now realize that I have more of life to deal with.
It is just going to have to wait.
I'm going to bed, with a ton of aspirin and airborne in my system.
nm choo
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tomorrow, I don't have a thing scheduled.
Wow.
On the list of things that I want to do -- Farmer's market, dog park, garden, mulch, read, and hang out with the dog.
Life is good.
The following day, Missy and I are going to do 10 miles together and then I'm going to try another 15.
I have to keep a pace of 3.4 miles to make the cut at the Portland Marathon. My best time is about 3.15 for a half, so a whole would be 6.30. That would be amazing and probably not attainable.
My colleague suggests to go with the flow - not run when I can walk, but honestly, this is my goal for the year to do this marathon and do it right.
Balance is hard.
I don't want to injure myself and I know my pace -- I am fast at the start, miles 3 through 11 sail by and the last miles seem to drag and this is a half. I wonder how I will do in a whole. I guess I will find out soon enough.
The Portland Marathon touts itself as a mp3 friendly marathon. I am really debating buying a new nano. My shuffle is fine for short races, but I like the idea of seeing what I am listening to. I just hate buying new toys because of one need. I wonder if I can just realize that I live with the shuffle and then just listen to the rhythm of my own body for ten or so miles.
Yeah, I think I'll do that.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
All I can say today is that I do not look forward to tomorrow in the financial world.
I'm thinking that I'm willing to take another moderate hit to my retirement if it means that change in our government and you know what I mean.
I had lunch with my parents today. My mom has never really discussed politics and really, if you want to know the truth, its not her thing. Today she went off on Palin, not so much Sarah as Todd.
Todd Palin, had I known you were in the hood yesterday, let alone, my old stomping grounds, I would have paid the 1000 buckeroos just to shove him in the ass, well, maybe I would have sent my mom instead, she has better jewelry and manners.
Seriously. This whole thing is becoming a train wreck.
I'm soon to stop all this pontificating, but honestly, I'm just gobsmacked by these last few weeks of the campaign. Seeing the pundits compare Palin to Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Olympia Snow is ludicrous. She just doesn't hold a candle to many other fine women politicians out there and I'm not sure she'll ever get there.
nm fuming and spewing (laying off the caf tomorrow)
I'm thinking that I'm willing to take another moderate hit to my retirement if it means that change in our government and you know what I mean.
I had lunch with my parents today. My mom has never really discussed politics and really, if you want to know the truth, its not her thing. Today she went off on Palin, not so much Sarah as Todd.
Todd Palin, had I known you were in the hood yesterday, let alone, my old stomping grounds, I would have paid the 1000 buckeroos just to shove him in the ass, well, maybe I would have sent my mom instead, she has better jewelry and manners.
Seriously. This whole thing is becoming a train wreck.
I'm soon to stop all this pontificating, but honestly, I'm just gobsmacked by these last few weeks of the campaign. Seeing the pundits compare Palin to Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Olympia Snow is ludicrous. She just doesn't hold a candle to many other fine women politicians out there and I'm not sure she'll ever get there.
nm fuming and spewing (laying off the caf tomorrow)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
being the donkey
In Farsi, the word for donkey is khar. Its pronounced HAAAR. We use it a lot around here to to discuss stupid people. Its a thing my family does.
This evening I called my dad to get his take on Bushie's speech. He said hold on tight, the market will come back. This is a man who has gained and lost way more than I could ever dream of having in volatile markets. However, these days I'm thinking that not only are we who gamble in the long term are going to get the shit kicked out of them, but those who think that everything is going to be ok.
Right.
We as a nation are khars. Yes, we are. Its not just predatory mortgage lenders and Goldman Sachs's interns who came up with the derivatives that the Kingdom of Brunei bought and sold that caused the recent financial crisis.
It is us, stupid stupid us [the US populace].
Those of us who thought that we would take money out of our hideously overpriced home not to send our kids to college, but to finance our new televisions, ATVs, trip to Alaska (moose hunting?).
It is us, who thought that we could afford that 500,000 dollar house in the burbs as as starter home bigger than anything we really needed or wanted, but it was there.
It is us who jumped from credit card to credit card to get the better deal and then forgot the introductory period lasted 15 seconds.
It is us who just didn't wait the 5 minutes to think something through and pressed the buy it now button on the computer and ended up with major buyer's remorse.
It is us who just couldn't remember what it was like to learn to keep something for another few wears, another season, another person even if we had the money to buy the latest thing.
It is us who needed the latest thing because everyone else had it.
It is us who not only bought a house with no money down, but also financed a car we couldn't afford, ate out every lunch, bought food that we ended up throwing out at the end of the week because we forgot we bought it because we were eating out and not really thinking.
It is us who used our credit cards, debit cards and fast pays at Starbucks, au bon pain and Peets daily because we just couldn't bother to make a pot of coffee at home and bring our own cup.
It is us who thought that things would just go on and be fine even as we saw our portfolios dwindle and those little dips in our retirement accounts grow bigger.
It is us who laughed at our grandparents and parents because they lived through hard times -- Depressions, occupations, revolutions and hardships and now have it so good. These same people realize the value of a dollar, shekel and toman and still think before committing one penny to it.
It is us who thought that the person who chose to live simply, not upgrade their house with every promotion and chose to pay off their mortgages to have that safety net were insane.
Yeah, we're all khars now.
This evening I called my dad to get his take on Bushie's speech. He said hold on tight, the market will come back. This is a man who has gained and lost way more than I could ever dream of having in volatile markets. However, these days I'm thinking that not only are we who gamble in the long term are going to get the shit kicked out of them, but those who think that everything is going to be ok.
Right.
We as a nation are khars. Yes, we are. Its not just predatory mortgage lenders and Goldman Sachs's interns who came up with the derivatives that the Kingdom of Brunei bought and sold that caused the recent financial crisis.
It is us, stupid stupid us [the US populace].
Those of us who thought that we would take money out of our hideously overpriced home not to send our kids to college, but to finance our new televisions, ATVs, trip to Alaska (moose hunting?).
It is us, who thought that we could afford that 500,000 dollar house in the burbs as as starter home bigger than anything we really needed or wanted, but it was there.
It is us who jumped from credit card to credit card to get the better deal and then forgot the introductory period lasted 15 seconds.
It is us who just didn't wait the 5 minutes to think something through and pressed the buy it now button on the computer and ended up with major buyer's remorse.
It is us who just couldn't remember what it was like to learn to keep something for another few wears, another season, another person even if we had the money to buy the latest thing.
It is us who needed the latest thing because everyone else had it.
It is us who not only bought a house with no money down, but also financed a car we couldn't afford, ate out every lunch, bought food that we ended up throwing out at the end of the week because we forgot we bought it because we were eating out and not really thinking.
It is us who used our credit cards, debit cards and fast pays at Starbucks, au bon pain and Peets daily because we just couldn't bother to make a pot of coffee at home and bring our own cup.
It is us who thought that things would just go on and be fine even as we saw our portfolios dwindle and those little dips in our retirement accounts grow bigger.
It is us who laughed at our grandparents and parents because they lived through hard times -- Depressions, occupations, revolutions and hardships and now have it so good. These same people realize the value of a dollar, shekel and toman and still think before committing one penny to it.
It is us who thought that the person who chose to live simply, not upgrade their house with every promotion and chose to pay off their mortgages to have that safety net were insane.
Yeah, we're all khars now.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
TH is out of town. I'm not going to say again, since in the past it was me fleeing from the scene of the crime and she was stuck with house/dog/life.
She has flits of work travel happening for the next few months. My well has run dry so to speak --- one meeting in December. Everything/everyone else is coming to me these days.
I like that.
I believe I have recovered from the 3 day. I will spend this weekend writing thank you notes and getting ready for my next event. The few people I have been emailing or talking with have experienced the same set of emotions as I have, which I find reassuring.
As my pal Deb said, "I wouldn't have believed the things people warned or told me about until I experienced it myself". That is one smart woman.
Courtney does a great job of summing up the event. I can add a few things.
I walked with one person, it made things faster. Everyone I knew that walked in a group felt really bogged down by the hurry up and waiting.
I will never ask for advice when dealing with a blister. I now know how patients waiting to be discharged from the hospital feel like.
I was happy to sleep in my own bed on Saturday.
I am thankful that Missy doesn't mind sleeping with the tent wide open to deal with my hyperventilating claustrophobia.
I am thankful for the not found in nature "uncrustable". Next time go with a better flavor of jelly.
I am thankful for Sean and Amelia who hung with me on Saturday night.
I am completely floored by the dedication of Ruth and Loretta for stalking us. I think I have said this over and over again. They have no idea what it did for our flagging morale.
I am beyond thankful for a 15.7 mile Sunday. Piece of cake.
I am thankful that I am healthy.
I should be back to normal blogging. As normal as I get. I have nothing of note to say. I hate Fall. I hate pants. I hate short days and leaf raking. Bring back Spring!
nm
Monday, September 22, 2008
again
I can't get into this now. I just have no strength to say anything witty.
Sad, isn't it?
I can wear shoes now!
I am going to try and go for six miles sometime on Wednesday (when I have no idea).
Saturday I'm heading for eightteen or nineteen depending on the rain.
I'm wondering who had the brilliant idea of doing a marathon in two weeks.
Oh wait, that was me.
I'm sure it will be fine, right?
nm back in black
Sad, isn't it?
I can wear shoes now!
I am going to try and go for six miles sometime on Wednesday (when I have no idea).
Saturday I'm heading for eightteen or nineteen depending on the rain.
I'm wondering who had the brilliant idea of doing a marathon in two weeks.
Oh wait, that was me.
I'm sure it will be fine, right?
nm back in black
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday wrap up
Tears shed - a few
Blisters - one small and treatable
Miles walked - 21 give or take
Training miles - 800
Meatballs - one
Memories of the mammaries - many
Blisters - one small and treatable
Miles walked - 21 give or take
Training miles - 800
Meatballs - one
Memories of the mammaries - many
Tomorrow Redmond and Kirkland-
It is going to be longish - 23 miles and warm so I am hoping to be on the road at 630 to beat the heat
Thank you each and everyone for your good vibes and generous support these last 26 weeks
You rock!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Is it me?
Am I the only one who wretches everytime I see Sarah Palin on TV?
Okay, I don't really watch tv, but I did just see her on the cover of TIME.
I wonder if she's ever read it?
From Courtney -- I may just have to rent the Bourne series now.
Does every middle American soccer mom sit there at the Starbucks over their skinny non fat no whip vanilla latte and dream of being president some day? I know that I maybe be a little left of center, but nothing recently has really ticked me off as this.
Do you realize that my dad could be McCain and I could be Palin?
Hey dad, can I have the keys to AirForce One?
nm back on track
Okay, I don't really watch tv, but I did just see her on the cover of TIME.
I wonder if she's ever read it?
From Courtney -- I may just have to rent the Bourne series now.
Does every middle American soccer mom sit there at the Starbucks over their skinny non fat no whip vanilla latte and dream of being president some day? I know that I maybe be a little left of center, but nothing recently has really ticked me off as this.
Do you realize that my dad could be McCain and I could be Palin?
Hey dad, can I have the keys to AirForce One?
nm back on track
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
cheers!
I'm walking the 3 day this weekend. I'm almost at my goal! Ernest is going dig deep to get me there.
If you are in Seattle, bored or just want to cheer me on. I'll be the one walking and talking too much and not wearing pink.
Here is the listing of cheering stations. I'm happy to say that R&L, TH and Ernest and Missy's Frank will be visiting us along the way.
I'm taking next weekend off.
Really.
If you are in Seattle, bored or just want to cheer me on. I'll be the one walking and talking too much and not wearing pink.
Here is the listing of cheering stations. I'm happy to say that R&L, TH and Ernest and Missy's Frank will be visiting us along the way.
Friday, September 12:
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
First Baptist Church and Pilgrim Lutheran Church parking lots
10431 SE 11th St. and 10420 SE 11th St.
(Parking is also available at Church of Christ off of SE 11th St.)
Bellevue, WA 98004
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
McCormick Park
NE 12th St. between 106th Pl NE and 112th Ave. NE
(Parking is available across the street and in nearby neighborhood)
Bellevue, WA 98004
Saturday, September 13:
8:30 am - 11:00 am
Spectralux Corporation
12335 - 134th Court NE
Redmond, WA 98052
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Ben Franklin Elementary
12434 NE 60th Street
Kirkland, WA 98033
Sunday, September 14:
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Green Lake Park
7201 E Green Lake Dr. N
Seattle, WA 98115
Click here for map of cheering area
I'm taking next weekend off.
Really.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
I am back, I am swamped, I am fine.
Way too many pictures and thoughts for the five minutes I have to share with you.
The 3 day, my manuscript revisions, countless work obligations, the upcoming presidential elections (ugh, Palin, ugh, barf) and the tristesse of dusk at 7:40 is too much to bear.
This last trip made me realize that I do enjoy active trips -- not just tromping around Rome or the Perigord, but hiking for three to four hours a day is appealing, as long as it is followed by a night in a hotel.
I'm thinking the Dolomites or Croatia, somewhere with better coffee than Illulisat.
nm
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday update
First of all.. other than a few stray ice pellets hitting me on taxi, I could get used to flying non stop to London and in a class of service that is way above my means.
Other than the first business/first class flight that TH spoiled me with while in grad school and our Qantas biz segment from Los Angeles to Aukland, this flight rocked the free world.
Now I am in Copenhagen with a million affluent baby boomers who are cruising somewhere.
Is it the way of their tribe to display all their wealth on their fingers and wrists? Serious overkill peeps, it looks like breeding plumage at the bird sanctuary.
I have walked around for about an hour and a half, but alas nothing currently slays me. It could be due to tiredness or the grey weather or that everything I wanted to see is closed already. I cannot get over the number of UK and US chains I am seeing!
Welcome to a brave new world.
Maybe next time I will be more enthused about CPH. I am currently sitting in a decent looking resto awaiting my white asparagus starter.
The waiter has taken pity on me and brought me a standard pitcher of Danish tap water. I love him.
On the Greenland front TH reports sunny weather in Manitsoq, so at least we have something to look forward to.
nm minding her ps and qs
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Other than the first business/first class flight that TH spoiled me with while in grad school and our Qantas biz segment from Los Angeles to Aukland, this flight rocked the free world.
Now I am in Copenhagen with a million affluent baby boomers who are cruising somewhere.
Is it the way of their tribe to display all their wealth on their fingers and wrists? Serious overkill peeps, it looks like breeding plumage at the bird sanctuary.
I have walked around for about an hour and a half, but alas nothing currently slays me. It could be due to tiredness or the grey weather or that everything I wanted to see is closed already. I cannot get over the number of UK and US chains I am seeing!
Welcome to a brave new world.
Maybe next time I will be more enthused about CPH. I am currently sitting in a decent looking resto awaiting my white asparagus starter.
The waiter has taken pity on me and brought me a standard pitcher of Danish tap water. I love him.
On the Greenland front TH reports sunny weather in Manitsoq, so at least we have something to look forward to.
nm minding her ps and qs
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
This is the day
It really bums me out that I am missing the DNC. Last time around I saw Senator Kerry give his last speech in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum right before he accepted the nomination at the DNC.
We watched speeches with some of our colleagues from Boulder who were delegates in 2000.
This year one of my childhood friends is one of the Washington delegates. I am so proud of her as I am of everyone who gives their time and sweat to bring forth poositive change to this country.
As I sit in the lounge before my journey I am watching the breaking story of no roll call for the delegates. As a child this was my favorite part of the conventions -of any party.
The delegates from each state casting their votes and all the cheering. It made me proud to be an American.
Today I am bummed to miss the acceptance speech of who I believe will make this country strong again.
Its just not the same on youtube.
Watch today and tomorrow and wish I could be in your living room with you tomorrow.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
We watched speeches with some of our colleagues from Boulder who were delegates in 2000.
This year one of my childhood friends is one of the Washington delegates. I am so proud of her as I am of everyone who gives their time and sweat to bring forth poositive change to this country.
As I sit in the lounge before my journey I am watching the breaking story of no roll call for the delegates. As a child this was my favorite part of the conventions -of any party.
The delegates from each state casting their votes and all the cheering. It made me proud to be an American.
Today I am bummed to miss the acceptance speech of who I believe will make this country strong again.
Its just not the same on youtube.
Watch today and tomorrow and wish I could be in your living room with you tomorrow.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
really, really must be going part 2
Time to really get going. Everything is done, its just the final packing that seems to be the issue. Do I really need all this crap? Can I get away with doing laundry at the hostel? Does it really matter as long as I don't smell like a seal when I get to London?
It'll be intermittent from now on, but I know you all will behave while I'm lollygagging in Greenland and Iceland. Apparently, there is no way I can get scrubbed/rubbed and tubbed at the blue lagoon, so piss on that.
Seriously.
Check out my flickr for some moblogging.
smooches,
nm
Monday, August 25, 2008
TH took this -- view from the hill of the Nuuk harbor.
I am leaving in about 40 hours give or take a few.
I have yet to pack.
Well, I have sort of a pile of stuff to take. I just realized that my flight from Copenhagen to Nuuk is six hours in COACH - with one stop along the way. I better pack another book.
I am packing for 34 degrees F to 78 degrees F. I'm thinking that Nuuk may hit 65 on the first day I'm there.
Yoikes.
All sorts of fashion questions come to mind. Can I get away with wearing capris with mosquito netting and then just a down vest and long tshirt? What about fleece? What about flip flops?
Its hard to be fashionable when you are going to the Arctic.
Frankly, the weather here is not that seasonably appropriate, so maybe a trip to Greenland will be warmer.
nm looking forward to sitting backwards
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