Happy Birthday, Renée!

A birthday dinner!

I met Renée the first week of college at Boston University, September 1975. We lived in the same dorm, Rich Hall, but she lived two floors above me, and I lived on the "experimental floor," called "Middle Earth." You had to write an essay to get accepted to Middle Earth. God, I'd give anything to see that essay now. I'm sure it's cringeworthy.

Rich Hall, scenic third building on the right

We met because we both volunteered to help put together a "coffeehouse" in the lobby of Rich Hall, which would meet on Saturday nights.

So quaint!

Anywho, Renée went on to become a famous photojournalist for the Boston Herald, and I ... learned to blog.

Sigh.

Renée is now starting her own business. Need a photographer? Stop looking NOW and click here.

The best thing about Renee is she laughs at all (most) of my jokes, (as do I), so when we're together we spend a lot of time laughing.

The worst thing about her is she looks EXACTLY the same as when she was 18.

So, Renée was in town and stopped by for girl's night and a birthday dinner. (Technically her birthday was December 2007, but let's not be sticklers.)

Though it may look like slop on a plate,(we're not on "Top Chef" here people), I can assure you it was wholly gourmet fare:
1. Swordfish marinated in some Thai seasonings, simmer on the stovetop for 10 minutes (all they have to do to get me to buy something at Whole Foods is to give me a sample. I'm the ultimate consumer),
2. the famous brussels sprouts,
3. baked potato, and
4. apple and manchego cheese salad (sort of this recipe).

All this after
On Sunday:
1. Bell-ringing in the a.m. (no one was hurt, always a plus),
2. another one-hour ride (12.5 miles) followed by a 10 min run (this is called a brick. A mini-brick) and
On Saturday:
3. Possibly the crappiest run of my life with my tri-group. There was a run clinic at Pacers, followed by a 45-min run up the Custis trail, another trail that seemingly defies the laws of nature by going up in both directions. It was hot on Saturday and I finished. That's all I'll say about that.
4. Also on Saturday, the famous personal shopper appointment. But that deserves its own post.

Stay tuned.

Games

Brain Games:
Here are two fabulous timewasters, that might just stave off the Alzheimers that is staring me in the face.

First, the FreeRice Game: For each word you get right (and these are HARD words!), the site donates 20 grains of rice through the U.N. World Food Program to end hunger. (Campestral, non? and toothsome!)

Second, the number game will give you your BRAIN AGE. Or so my Japanese friends tell me. You have to memorize the numbers in the order in which they appear, then click on the dots....well, you'll see. My first try? My brain age was 120. This is one game where the higher score is not the better score. Strangely addicting. My second try: 52! Now we're getting somewhere.

Tri-Games:
Speaking of games, I'm tired. Bone-weary tired. Long endless week at work, but here are the training numbers:

Sunday: Ran 2.8, biked 16 miles in the rain so that doubles the numbers right there
Monday: OFF!
Tuesday: Swam 1100 meters (then worked til 1 a.m.)
Wed: Ran 5 miles (first mile at 10 min pace, last mile at 14 min pace...sigh)
Thur: Spin class (Instructor played Pearl Jam, "Soldier of Love")
Friday: OFF!

To come: Saturday: Running clinic with tri club and then 45 min run
Sunday: Bike 1 hour/run 10 min (but am also ringing bells at church in the a.m. and still trying to decide on whether I can run a 10k that morning and get to church on time. Too much to do!)

I think I really need to pick it up. Two days off this week? Was one too many. I need more bike. In fact, my tri club plan says not to worry so much about the run because It's All About the Bike. Spin class kicks my ... quads ... and let's face it, I mainly go to ogle the instructor, plus he plays great tunes, but it's only a 45-minute class. I should probably actually get on the bike, and like, ride it, more than once a week.

Questions? Advice?

Endurance Games:
Someone's graduation is coming up, and I was having a nervous breakdown because of course I have nothing to wear, not that anyone will be looking at me, but there will be pictures, you know, and those tend to last.

My savior Runner Susan came to the rescue and hooked me up with...a PERSONAL SHOPPER. RS tried helping me herself but quickly realized she was way out of her depth. So I called the free personal shopping service at Nordstrom's, and they asked me all kinds of questions, starting with "What's your style?" Errr...yeah. It's possible that I might have mentioned that since I actually have decent leg I might actually like to show some leg (like that floozie on Housewives of New York. You know who I mean. Not that I waste time watching such mindless drivel.)

I have an appointment tomorrow at 3 p.m. Shopping should be its own sport. Some of us would medal in it.

Play-With-Food Games:
I'm still OFF the sugar wagon (Hi Danielle!) I don't think I've lost ONE ounce, though I can't really see the scale, not even with glasses, but I can see that I'm still on the wrong side on a certain number which shall remain annonymous.

I'm eating fruit and veggies til they are coming out of my ears. And I discovered this fantastic new food:



Yes, it has sugar added, but let's not go overboard here

Great source of protein! Very filling. And not sicky sweet like most yogurts. Get it at your local Whole Foods.

Good night, Gracie.