The day after the Nike Human Race 10K

We did it! But what kind of ribbon do you get for coming in 152,151st? And once again, my arch nemesis Gunther Weidlinger of Munich, Germany came in first. Some day, Gunther, I will beat you. Also coming in ahead of me is my former friend, and roommate Jon Medina.

Here's what makes this so funny. In preparation for this race I have been running my butt off for over three months, lost an additional 20 pounds and have eaten dirt and twigs with a side of arugula for every meal. Jon, on the other hand, has been telling me over a pint of Haggen Daas ice cream that he really should get out there and at least try to run - once. But he hasn't had the time to train. Skinny, young people... grrrrr.

Actually, I am quite proud of myself. This is a big deal. When I topped-out at 250 pounds a few years ago, I thought my days of running were a thing of the past. When we moved to Austin a year ago, both Christopher and I decided to reclaim our health. Back in May, Christopher had lap band surgery and since then, has lost 40 pounds! I thought this would be the perfect time for me to get back into action.

I can see why people get hooked on these races. Of course, I'm an addict - and anything worth doing is worth OVER DOING! So I am registered to run in my next 10K, in November, when I visit Sacramento. The challenge is to beat my previous time. That means I am only competing against myself (plus Gunther and Jon).

Thanks for all the encouragement and support via e-mail and facebook! It really helped - thank you!

See more pics of the race by clicking here.

Good Morning from the Surface of the Sun

Ahhhh... it's 75º outside. Lovely. It is also about 8:45 in the morning and in the shade. I think I have about 15 minutes before the day starts heating-up. Today, we're expected to hit 105º. I think I am going to make quesedillas on the surface of the driveway around 4 PM if you want to come by.

I am sitting here enjoying that feeling you have when you pull-off something huge. Yesterday, we had movers move out a roommate's belongings, finished painting a bedroom, had the carpets cleaned, had a new roommate and friend move in from our fellowship and then... went to Home Depot to haul plywood to the Queer Idol Talent Show fundraiser and built the stage and played stage-hand for all 18 acts. (By the way, Christopher sang in the show and did great!) After the show, we went out to eat. So let's see, movers were scheduled to arrive at 8 AM and I finally went to bed at 2:30 AM.

You know, as sore as I am today, it is all worth it. Seeing all the people come together for an event like this and celebrate EVERYONE'S sobriety and desire to change their lives is worth every bit of effort.

Another great side story. Out of the blue I received an e-mail from a long-lost friend. Her name is Kim and I worked with her in a coffee shop in Mountain View, CA back in 1991! We used to have so much fun there - dancing around to the "Eurythmics" and "Dee-Lite" while serving lattes BEFORE the Starbuck's invasion. Yes, children, let's sit around the fire and talk about a time when most coffee shops were independently owned and didn't have a mermaid on the cup...

I can't wait to see how Kim's life has unfolded over the past 17 years! One great thing I know is that she, and here husband Ford, are still together and going strong! They met at Red Rock Coffee when the three of us worked there! Here's a picture she sent of us the two of us out in front of the store. I wonder who was attending to the customers? We were good at dancing - but sometimes forgot why we were supposed to be there.

Sunday in the Studio

It's 2 PM and I am finally out in the studio working on my latest couple of paintings. I tried and tried and tried to get out here yesterday - but nope. I LOVE to work out here - but it's a challenge to make the time. When I was finishing my degree - there wasn't a choice. Paint or you don't pass. Now, I have to set my own deadlines and work ethic in the studio.

I am still shooting to apply for my Masters this January. In order to do so, I have to have a "show" of 12-15 cohesive works. As a result, I am noticing that I spend a LOT of time on my work. I think there are about three paintings in each piece. I go over them and over them and add and add and add. I was hoping that I would develop a less "worked" style - but I don't think that's me.

As a kid, I loved Highlights magazine's hidden object drawings. You know, the one where you had to find a frying pan in the tree? (Unless some lame kid in the same doctor's office waiting room didn't circle it first... I digress.) Well, that's kind of like my work. I don't hide objects in there, but story lines.

We'll see what happens. Now I need to get off this computer and get working!

I am a 1/2 cup codependent

Christopher had his lap band surgery almost two weeks ago. (If you want to more about how that works - see his blog link on this site.) Oh my God - I have become such a nag. "Are you chewing your food all the way?" "Did you take your multivitamin?" "Is that a half a cup or 3/4 of a cup?"

CJ's doing great - and goes back to work next week. Here's an excerpt from an e-mail I sent our friend Doug regarding the first few days:

Tuesday 5/20: Seven I.V. attempts before they got the vein. CJ looks like he's been slamming heroin with drinking straws. Operating goes smooth. We have lovely pics of his liver and stomach with new lap band. Nice liver according to the doctor. I wonder where he got it. Spend the night in hospital and watch CJ watch American Idol on pain killers. Suddenly David Archuleta is less annoying to him.

Wed, 5/21: go home (Rob is off all week) CJ sleeps. Drinks broth. Sleeps.

Thurs, 5/22: Rob eats all of CJ's leftover food he can't eat anymore while CJ is sedated. Then, debates getting lap-band, too, if he eats one more thing.

Friday, 5/23: CJ has not moved from the couch in two days except to go to the bathroom. A lot. What goes in - comes out. Very little change in between. CJ starts the get dehydrated.

Sat, 5/24: Repeat Friday 5/23.

Sunday, 5/25: CJ wants to get the hell out of the house. We go to 11 AM AA meeting. CJ sleeps through whole meeting. Decides it's time to go off pain killers.

Monday, 5/26: CJ is now bitchy and wants a steak. He's already lost 12 pounds.

Tuesday, 5/27: Rob comes out from behind the couch (where he eats out-of-sight) and runs to work. CJ tries to go to work and turns around on the way there. Too soon.

Wed, 5/28: CJ is back at home eating bananas and sipping Gatorade to address the dehydration. Now he's hydrated and has a taste for soft foods. It's giddy times when I make him mashed potatoes and canned chicken. You'd think the 1/2 cup he had was Thanksgiving dinner.

Thursday, 5/29: CJ tries work again and has to cut it short. Spirits are high and internal stuff seems to be settling down. Now he's a giant walking bruise with itchy staples. But that will heal.

Sunday = A Back Porch + A Good Book

I love sitting on my back porch. Here's a picture of it over my shoulder (I am taking this picture with my laptop camera.) The yard's still not a lot to look at, but that has to wait until next month before we start the fence. It's my sanctuary. I think I will even work on a painting out here today.

I just finished "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. I have never read it before and I can see why it is considered a mandatory read in most schools. I got to the end and wasn't ready to stop. I wanted to continue to hear Scout's grown, adult voice narrate to me. So I actually flipped back to the first chapter and re-read it. I am glad I did. The book comes full circle and I wouldn't have remembered some great details if I wouldn't have re-read the first few paragraphs. If you haven't read it yet - I encourage you to do so. If you have, and it's been a while, I bet you will appreciate it even more a second time through.

42 years and one day later...

Oh that husband of mine. Yesterday was my birthday and he texted EVERYONE we knew to have them wish me a happy 45th birthday. First of all - thanks to everyone who sent messages and called. My phone kept running out of juice because of it ringing all day. I sure am blessed with a lot of good friends.

But, to clarify - I AM 42! NOT 45! Now mind you, I do not have any issues about getting older. Really! I never lie about my age. I think 40+ is great, it seems like life has just begun!

In the spirit of truth in age reporting, Christopher is 44 and will turn 45 on Sept. 26. He was born in 1963. That's not what he'll tell you! He LOVES to lie about his age and say he's older! How twisted is that? He usually adds anywhere from 4 - 6 years. That way, people say, "You look great for your age!" That's my guy... and I was the one who had a previous career in public relations. He missed his calling.

Once again, thanks for all the great birthday wishes. It was especially nice to hear from all of our out-of-town friends that we haven't seen in a while. We miss y'all very much and want to pack you up and bring you to Austin!

It's March 1st and the leaves are coming

I'm convinced that the world would be a better place if we all had back porches. Right now, I am on a slab of potential - but hey, it's my slab and I love it. To my right is a hot cup of press pot coffee and in front of me is Uno in a cage. He's not an outdoor cat, so this is a big field trip for him. He's just sniffing and sniffing and sniffing. I think he's enjoying this just as much as I am.

The birds here are singing like mad. At night, it's crickets and cicadas. I loved California - but it has nothing on this when it comes to sounds.

So the back yard has lots of potential. But that's about it. We do have some nice trees in the middle - I really need to find out what the hell they are before my mother asks. Then there is the ground cover that's coming in. I think it's ground cover. Or maybe it's just really pretty weeds. As you may have figured out by now - I don't know jack about landscaping and gardening. But, I am learning! I have many new books. So far, I have discovered what a thatch rake is and know how to use it. Baby steps.

I just completed a new painting and donated it to a local fundsraiser for an AIDS health care facility. It was going to be based on the song "Night Swimming" by R.E.M. but when I started painting it, is ended-up looking like broad daylight. Here's the artist statement I sent along with it:

"To me, memory is not like a snapshot – it stratifies events into layers of importance and prominence. Precise rendering gives way to drips and washes that erode the images beneath them. It’s my hope that the viewer finds the translucent images similar to an archeological dig – as you dust off one layer, something else is revealed. It’s those fragments of memory that insist upon reemerging that I find so fascinating."