Sunday, February 12, 2006

3 a.m. Fire Alarm, Plus Blizzard: What's Your Excuse?










Fire alarm rang at 3 a.m., which I heard distantly in my dream in which I was in my mini, very very busy driving it over a cliff á la Thelma and Louise. Got up, looked in hall. Nothing. Nothing but the incessant scream of that alarm. So I called the fire department and let them hear it. They said they'd be right over. I grabbed my robe, and took the elevator to the lobby, where the rest of the residents had congregated. Had anyone called the fire department? No. No one had.

Sigh.

No fire, but we all had a a nice chat and watched the snow fall.

Here it is, 8 a.m., and it's not looking good for running outside.

Earlier last night, I drove downtown to George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium to see this:

Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía

The snow was already falling thick and heavy and I had trouble seeing as I drove. I got there early, checked my coat, nibbled on some free Spanish nibbles, and waited for my friend, S., whose birthday present this was to me. And mine to her.

She showed up; we took our seats. At 8:02, the ballet's manager came onstage to announce, in Spanish, that the show was cancelled because the costumes had not yet arrived. Some in the audience grew hostile as someone from Lisner explained that the auditorium did not agree with this decision since the troupe had some of their costumes. Alas, the star had already left the place. Ah well. So we went home. I was already exhausted from driving to Charlottesville and back, and worried about the snow, so even though I was disappointed, I looked on it as a gift. I got to dress up, drive downtown, nosh, and sit in Lisner Auditorium for 10 minutes. It's all good, people.

I spent the rest of the night figuring out how to use my extremely expensive Shuffle (EES), finally getting to bed at 12:30, looking forward to a nice 8 a.m. trail run to break the EES in.

Since there's a foot of snow outside, I'm kinda doubtful that any trails are run-able. Plan B: Off to the office, to use the treadmill.

After that: church, taxes, and a small b-day dinner with friends. I gotta go.

***

Late breaking news: I ran outside on the trail, in the snow and slush, past the cross-country ski-ers! Screw the treadmill.

20 comments:

Black Knight said...

Amazing breaking news. The treadmill will have his chances. Btw thank you for the magic spells!

Anonymous said...

jeanne, don't take this the wrong way or anything, but you sound HAPPY! this cannot be the same woman who, just a few years ago, hobbled around bethesda with a cane. HA on all those stupid doctors who couldn't figure out your back problems. either that or running your a** off makes your back seem like nothin' :)
rd

David said...

Your my hero. What a great day to be alive. Happy birthday.

David said...

edit: You're ...

*jeanne* said...

No excuses! Way to go!

I performed once at Lisner Auditorium! I think it was in CHARLOTTE'S WEB.

I too disagree about cancelling the show because costumes had not arrived. They could have done the pieces for which they had the costumes, and done the other pieces in rehearsal clothes, if they needed to change. Dancers ALWAYS have warm-up and rehearsal clothing, and audiences generally LOVE seeing performers make do when something goes amiss.

Once I was in a show we had taken to Alaska, and then flew back for a performance in New Jersey. By show-time, our SET had not arrived. We did the show with what we HAD. Actors, props, costumes. It was kind of fun and exciting. (The set showed up during our opening number - too late, we just continued without it).

Rae said...

Good for you on running in the snow! The pics look beautiful. I am SO jealous!!

21st Century Mom said...

Yay for you, WonderWoman. I known I would not have run in the snow. In the continuing saga of East Coast/West Coast, I took a 35 mile bike ride today. It was beatiful and sunny.

jeanne said...

tallgirl, that running machine needs to have an accident.

jeanne said...

You know very well what I think. I am totally against violence ... especially ... against defenseless machines... i'll bring the power saw ... when do we met?

jeanne said...

that would be MEET. When do we MEET.

Holly said...

Jeanne - Way to make the most of your run! I love running outside in the winter... Sorry to hear your Ballet-Flamenco event was canceled. Sounds like it would have been awsome!

jcerunner said...

Oh, what a pitty. I'm sorry you couldn't see the flamenco dance from my country. I'm sure you would have enjoyed the show. At least they should have done the pieces for which they had the costumes.

LeahC said...

awesome job getting outside for a snowy run. I actually don't mind running in the snow....a couple times a winter. :-)

tortaluga said...

hi there, writer of my favorite running-related blog ever. i'm just emerging from reader anonymity for a minute to say thanks! and happy birthday.

Bolder said...

lurve the idea of joggin' past xcountry skiers... what a photo opp!

a.maria said...

whoooooaaa!! thats a lot of snow. and I LOVE FLAMENCO!! i'm actually trying to find a place to take lessons. it'd be the shizzzzz!!

good job RUNNING!

Kim said...

Oh. My. Word.
That is a lot of snow. Awesome job going out in it!

Jack said...

The snow looks so nice! Running in the snow is a blast, much better than running over icy trails (or the treadmill)!

Tiggs said...

that snow looks beautiful :) of course I can say that b/c I live where it never snows!

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