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So You Think You Can Dance is back on; all is right with the world again.

Yesterday I started a work project that had me quite nervous as I had to use some systems that are difficult for me (or anyone) to understand, and usually the processes that come from that particular team are incomplete/wrong/jacked up beyond belief. So I was terribly surprised to find that not only did they send me a VERY detailed process, but that it wasn't so difficult to get the job done. So I happily plowed through everything on my list but the last one.

I started that last one this morning. It's still not finished. This stupid one has had a problem at every step of the way... actually I don't know if it's every step of the way because I'm still stuck on STEP THREE. ALL FRAKKIN DAY LONG. And getting answers from people has been like pulling teeth. And I probably opened up another can of worms with my latest question, because when I asked this question long ago the answer didn't make any sense so I have a feeling it was wrong all along.

I know. I know none of this makes any sense. I really just wanted to try to convey what a CRAPTASTIC work day this was, not to mention spilling ice water all over the couch behind where I was sitting. And I started work early at 7am, and I was supposed to get off at 2pm and planned a trip to the gym, but I had to sit here waiting for some answers all afternoon so I could get this last one finished.

But at least I took Fiona bird out to play for a little while and that went well.

But then... SHE called. And that makes me laugh, but seriously? After she called and we talked for awhile I realized I had that huge smile on my face again and was laughing and happy (Happy!) inside. So, it sort of turned into a good day after that. I didn't get my workout in, 2 days in a row now, and work was crappy, but in the end I got to talk to Her.

And tomorrow she might be able to come over again. :)
She asked if she was coming over too often... SERIOUSLY??? I don't know how I'd get through the weeks without her.

[But just to be clear because sometimes they read this: my co-workers = Good, dumb new things at work = Bad]
[Also, I'm happy that I HAVE a job, yes, yes I am]

Update

I've noticed recently that for the last 9 months, almost every time I type an entry here I assign it to the category of "Happy!". That's because almost every time I write something I've thought: What is this entry about? It's about being Happy! So... Category "Happy!"

It's a good category to be living in, even if life isn't perfect. It never is anyway, right? May as well be Happy! while living our imperfect, flawed little lives.

Still reading this blasted Android Karenina. I'm not supposed to review it until June 8, but I'll just say you might have to already love Anna Karenina to get into this (I do not), on the other hand, you might also be put off by ALL THE FREAKING ROBOTS walking around in the story too. I'm not getting the POINT to this mishmosh of genres yet. If any of you have actually read Pride, Prejudice & Zombies, could you tell me what you thought of it? I liked the IDEA of it, but I'm not liking the execution of Android Karenina.

So I made a new weight chart, and it's on the wall all happy and clean and ready to be filled out. I've been going up and down 5 lbs through the whole winter, and while I wish I had worked out more and LOST more weight, at least the worst that's happened is I've only gained 5 pounds. I mean... it makes me sad when I see the past Biggest Loser winners and they've all gained back quite a bit of weight. It's sad but also scary. So I'm glad I'm only 5lbs up. BUT, now it's time to take the last 40 off.

I had a lovely time with Erin on her birthday yesterday. I can't think of any friend I've ever had where we could sit and talk for HOURS and never run out of things to say. She came over for lunch and we also enjoyed one Bloody Mary each, just one! and it was a lovely, lovely afternoon. What would I do without our wonderful mornings and afternoons together? I probably wouldn't be marking all my entries "Happy!".

On the itinerary for today: Dye my hair to it's normal color (minus grey), let Fiona-bird out for some exercise, finish my work project, go to gym this afternoon.

What category should this entry be in? HAPPY! of course.

So I also had bad news in my email this morning.
I had emailed my editor at Metblogs last night because I was given an advance copy of Android Karenina to read and review by June 8. I wanted to know if she wanted the review on Metblogs or if I should put it on my site.

Her answer: Metblogs is closing down on May 31.

My first thought: What about all my free tickets???

Heh.

I don't get paid by Metblogs to write for them, but somehow all of us writers are pretty loyal anyway. It gets our name out, it gives us a portfolio and some credibility, and what the heck, it's fun too. And I'm the lucky Metblog writer that gets paid in comped tickets for any and every arts show in San Jose. BOO for losing that perk!!!

So I was looking into starting up my own arts website. Although I have doubts that I can put as much time in as it would need, still, it would at least keep the tickets coming in. Erin was all for this too, as she (and other friends) also benefit from my tickets.

But by this afternoon I had three requests to write for other places. I couldn't believe it! All three are great, but one I've had my eye on for awhile. That one said they'd be "ecstatic" if I accepted. Well I like the sound of that word, haha.

So I'm waiting to hear more information from my #1 choice. And we'll go from there. I still may start up my own site if I'm not 100% happy with this one, I know I could do a good job or at least a good enough job to continue fueling my ticket requests.

Writers can't really ask for much more.

Asleep before nightfall

My sleep schedule has gone all out of whack since the triathlon.
Normally a night owl AND a morning owl, this week I've been going to bed earlier and earlier, and getting up even earlier.

Last night I was crashing before 8pm. I did manage to play several Words With Friends games from bed, but I was out pretty early.

In the morning I woke up bright eyed. Everything was still dark, but it usually is at 6am in May. I got up, made coffee, looked at the clock...

It was 4:15am. WTF.

I suppose if this keeps up then I can get on a different workout schedule, maybe really go swim at 5:30am, or run or something. Or if I get a different job, at least I'll be used to waking up early again -- not that I didn't before, I am usually up by 6:30 at the latest, and I don't work until 11am.

So I haven't decided if I like this or not. I sort of do. I also think it would be nicer if someone else was up with me. Even silently reading the paper.

But I'm sure that's in my future somewhere.

3/4 mile swim in reservoir, 16 mile bike, 5 mile run.

Details are in the journal, here is the mini recap:

Swim: It was cold at 7am, but not as cold as the Pacific Ocean. I started out with freestyle and thought I was doing well, but the same old panic about breathing struck and I had to switch to backstroke. Just like in practice I was slower the first half (25 minutes) and much faster the second (15 minutes!) but still came out of the water right under 40. OH, and I learned to pee while swimming for the first time, that's right, I said it, I peed in my wetsuit in the reservoir because I had to and I decided I'd rather do it there than on my bike.

T1: I was frozen. It was only a 5 minute transition but it felt like 10. I did not fall down getting on my bike though.

Bike: We had done the course the day before which I knew was going to be a mistake. Confidence-wise it was a benefit as I knew where the hill was and how difficult it would be to get over it, as well as the fact that I COULD get over it. However, my legs were spent from getting over it the day before coupled with the swim. I never was able to power through on the bike and my time was 1:15.49, which was a good TWENTY MINUTES SLOWER than the day before. The good part? At least I know I can knock off 20 minutes next year. Also, I did not fall when I stopped at the end.

T2: About spent and out of energy, it took me 3:08 to rack my bike and change my shoes and socks, way too long.

Run: As difficult as this was, I did it in less time than I had anticipated. I had figured 1:15. I certainly can run faster than this, but doing it after two hours of swimming and riding is different. I walked much of the course but ran as much as I could. Very upsetting to realize there were not many people left on the course (none), I didn't see anyone until I made the turn-around and passed maybe five senior citizens. SENIOR CITIZENS. The good news is I finished the run in 1:10.21, almost five minutes faster than expected. AND that I didn't turn around at the 2 mile point like one lady told me to "because there's no one up there to check". Even though I wanted to. But I didn't think I could live with myself or look Erin in the eye if I didn't complete the entire course.

So my total time was 3:14.5, which is 30 seconds faster than I had anticipated, and yet I was almost the last one in out of 800 racers. As I was running I was trying to figure out how this could be. I was exactly as fast/slow as I had expected (except for the botched ride) yet I had come in just about dead last. And this is what I decided:

For all my working out I still have 40 pounds to lose, at least. And there weren't many other racers on that course with that kind of extra weight. So maybe people "my size" don't even attempt this kind of race. Which means that because I DID do it, the entire thing, and never even got off my bike to walk up the hill or turn around when no one was looking, then I did a pretty cool thing no matter how long it took. I know fit and athletic people who have no intention of attempting this or any other triathlon, so in a way, I beat them too. And I beat everyone who was still sitting at home or even in bed while I was out swimming in the reservoir.

So I was disappointed in myself for part of the run. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how proud of myself I should be. I don't care if I was dead last, or only beat people who were 60 and 70 years old, I still DID IT. I completed the entire course!! So not only am I proudly displaying my medal, but I fully plan to do this race next year. And take 20 minutes off my bike time, dammit!!!

I did decide I have no intention of doing the Olympic Distance in June, at least not this year. Maybe after I've lost these last 40 pounds. But I don't have it in me to go out for 4 hours, just not going to happen.

But I'll do another sprint. I'm already signed up for the Mermaid Triathlon in September again, and I'm *thinking* about the San Jose sprint in June. And there are sprints in August in Santa Cruz. We'll see. I'm definitely not done with this sport, in fact, I'm only just beginning.

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