Ireland, Prologue

MTH and I went to Ireland from 8/27-9/3. We had a great time and took 350 pictures with the new camera. I promise I will not share 350 pictures with you but will instead be writing up blog entries by day. I hope you enjoy my updates almost as much as we enjoyed the trip :)

The flight over was uneventful although we did enjoy our business class seats. We used points to upgrade. It made sleeping on the way over much easier. That way I was able to be as rested as possible for my driving.

Phoebe, The Empress of The Fan

I am currently sitting on the bed trying to update my blog. Phoebe is sitting on my lap but also across my arm. Typing is not quite as easy as normal. Somehow, she is the most independent needy cat I've ever known. When we returned home from our 1 1/2 week vacation, I thought she was going to turn herself inside out trying to be close to me. This behavior lasted for a week. Then, she was off to herself again. Now, a few days later, I guess she has missed me just long enough. It really keeps me from getting things done around the house but I have to take advantage of the times that she wants to "hang out".

Miracles Do Happen

MTH got home before me. You may not understand how earth shattering that event is. During the time that we lived together and have been married, I could probably count on my fingers the number of times MTH has beat me home.

Photography Class

I'm hoping to take a photography class starting the second week of September. I was planning to sign up before leaving for vacation but that doesn't look like it will happen. Hopefully, the class will not fill up while I'm away. The class looks like it will help me to learn a lot about my camera. It's called Basic Camera Skills. Here's an excerpt from the class description:

The instructor will review the fundamentals of image capture and camera operation, guidelines for achieving proper exposures, and techniques for creating successful photo images. Students considering the purchase of a camera may want to attend the first class to get professional advice on what camera is best to fit their needs and interest. This class does not include instruction in darkroom or digital printing. Weekly assignments will be given.

I'm especially interested to find out what the weekly assignments will be. I also hope that we'll then discuss those in detail the following week in order to learn more about how to be a better photographer.

Things I Need But Don't Want

5. Car
I would love to be able to walk to work, walk or take public transportation to the store and take a taxi or public transportation to the airport.
4. Work
No explanation needed.
3. TV
It just sucks up time and doesn't give anything back.
2. Hairdryer
Another time sucker.
1. Air Conditioner
I really just hate the over-usage of it.

Ronald Reagan to the Rescue

Since it can be hard to remember everything needed for cheering MTH on at his triathlons, we decided to get a shirt that I can wear each time he does an event. We went to a store called Bang-On. It's an iron on store. They have some really interesting stuff including an iron on that's like the Che Guevara t-shirts except it's Ronald Reagan. MTH has said such things as "Ronald Reagan was the greatest president ever" and "He single handedly caused the Soviet Union to fall". Now, I'm not sure if he was actually saying those things or if it was the alcohol talking but when I saw this iron on, I knew I had to have it for MTH.


* Please do not leave mean comments about my husband.

Running Clothes Review

Since I've been running a lot more lately, I thought I'd start reviewing some of the clothes that I wear. Some are definitely better than others.

I'll start with the normal shorts and shirt. This outfit is one of my favorites. It's comfortable and the little pocket inside the shorts is very easy to get to. Plus, the shorts don't ride up at all (very important!).



The next outfit is a new one. It's a running skirt. I had seen these around so thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. I actually like it but they do ride up more than I expected. The skirt makes it so that no one can tell. Plus, I feel like a tennis star in it!



The last outfit is skintight running shorts. They're ok. I wouldn't really recommend these as they ride up and there is no skirt to hide it. The shirt with sports bra is nice though. It's only one thing to worry about.

Kickball Update

WE WON!!

We won our game last week. When the final horn blew, we all just looked at each other for a second before we realized that we had actually won the game. It looks like if we had just practiced a little, we possibly could have won a few more games. We still had a great time. Here's a picture of me running just after kicking the ball.

A Day with BlondiePi

We had a great time hanging out and catching up yesterday. She seemed to be having a nice, relaxing vacation. She arrived with SDK and SDK's husband (who by the way, MTH and I are hoping to have dinner with at some point in the future since they're only an hour away in Williamsburg).

They all arrived around 9:45am yesterday. We headed over to Strawberry Street Cafe for breakfast. I was disappointed in mine but it seemed that the others liked there food. Then, SDK and husband left for an appointment. Blondie and I walked around the neighborhood. Although it was warm, it was quite temperate compared to the previous week! MTH went for a work out while we were on our walk and we planned to meet again at 2pm in order to go to the Virginia Center for Architecture. It's housed in a Tudor-Revival house on Monument Ave, just 4 blocks from our house. It was quite interesting to see and hear.

After the tour, Blondie and I headed to downtown Richmond for a snack. I, of course, took her to Cafe Gutenberg. I had a Peach Basil Gazpacho and a slice of toasted brioche with strawberry jam. Blondie had a toasted slice of brioche with Nutella. We both had coffee. I then showed her around the river by going to Brown's Island and the Canal Walk. The last point on the tour was the Hollywood Cemetery. It's quite an interesting place to visit. It has graves of people all the way back to the 1700's although it was not opened until the mid-1800's. There are some famous people in there including James Monroe. The only problem that I've found with the place is that it's hard to find your way back out. It's not laid out in a grid but is rather quite scenic and curvy with hills. Therefore, it's very easy to lose your way. We made it out but with only a few minutes to spare as we were told we must be out by 6pm!

When we got back to the house, we played a game of Scrabble. Blondie had told us she was not very good but I think she's a ringer! She beat us 189 to 130 (me) and 108 (MTH). Then for dinner, we sat outside at Curbside Cafe. MTH left us to go have some drinks with some summer associates from work. Blondie and I talked for a while and then because her flight left at 6:05am today, she went to bed. She did not make me get up to take her to the airport. She got a taxi instead. I definitely appreciate her thinking about my sleep on a Sunday morning!

Walking Score

I just found this website on another blog:

http://www.walkscore.com/index.shtml

Our current place has a score of 80 out of 100. That means that we could get by without a car. Of course, that would mean that we both couldn't work since there's no real public transit here in the great city of Richmond. Our previous place only got a score of 62. The site says that they don't take public transportation into account. So, if they did, the scores would definitely have to be flipped. But, I think what the scores do say is that there's a lot more small restaurants and store to walk to from our place in Richmond than there were in Alexandria. For example, within a tenth of a mile of our place now, we can go to a market that has all the groceries you could need for emergencies, a wine store and a Starbuck's coffee shop. In addition, there's several restaurants/bars in that same radius. There was only a store with moldy bread within a tenth of a mile of our house in Alexandria.

My parents house got an 8. That would be because there's nothing in walking distance except the car.

Check it out.

Big Eyes

Since I didn't need the flash for taking this picture, I was able to capture her with her eyes wide open.

Kickball Update

If you'll remember, I joined a kickball team. At the time, we were winless. We are still winless although last week we came the closest to winning as in any other game. There's one game left and it's on Tuesday. We're keeping our fingers crossed that we'll be able to have one win for the season. That way we won't be entirely shut out. The only possible saving grace is that there are 6 other teams that have not won a game.

One Ironman

If you remember a few weeks back, I posted that MTH and KSH had successfully finished a half Ironman length triathlon. Well, a week later, MTH's brother (and KSH's husband) successfully finished a full Ironman in Lake Placid, NY. Here's pictures to prove it!

The calm before the swim - Mirror Lake the day before the Ironman
The swim has begun - MDH is somewhere out there
He's off on the bike - mmm water
We'll see you in a few hours
He's off on the marathon - Look at that shirt
Gimme five
MTH is working hard

I'm an Ironman

Irish Vacation

MTH and I are trying to plan our trip to Ireland. Since we've been to Dublin before, we're going to check out the rest of the country. We're thinking of going to Belfast as well. Anyone out there been to Belfast? If so, what would you recommendn doing?

We know that we'll be going to County Cork and County Clare later in the week. Do you recommend any other places that we must see?

I've found an interesting website that helps you to find places to stay along the route. But, if you anyone has any suggestions based on their past experience, we'd love to hear about great places to stay.

I hope to hear from a few of you!

Adirondacks

I'll be posting more pictures from the latest triathlon I've attended this coming weekend. For now, I'll share some scenic pictures of nature from the Lake Placid area.

It's the real thing! Like Christmas in July

Clear water of Mirror Lake

There's Lake Placid

Looking East at the top of White Face Mountain

Kickball

Did I mention that I'm in a kickball league? It's called the River City Sports and Social Club. I met a friend (MusicPhD) of a friend (Vespagirl) while having drinks with MusicPhD and Britgirl. Vespagirl asked if anyone was interested in joining a kickball league. I decided that it might be a good way to meet people so I signed up. We've played five games and have lost five games. But, we're still having fun. I sometimes join them at the bar after but unfortunately, I've not gone as much as I would have liked. Last weekend, they went to Veritas for wine tasting. It's too bad it wasn't on a different weekend because as you know, we were in Geneva, NY for MTH's Musselman. There's another one planned so I'm hoping it will work out for MTH and me to go. I'm also planning to host them for a cookout in August at some point.

I have to leave soon for our sixth game of the season. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can win at least one game for the season although at this point it might be better to play like we're playing Hearts (shoot the moon)! We only have 2 more games after tonight!

ETK to the Rescue

So, you may have noticed the wonderful pictures in my previous post. Those are thanks to my new camera. When I took pictures in MTH's triathlon in June, I found that I could get at most one picture each time he passed. As you might imagine, I sometimes messed up so would be left with no picture for that pass through. Therefore, I decided I needed a new camera. Then, ETK posted about her new camera. I talked to her about what I wanted and voila, I have a new camera. It's not quite as nice as hers but it's close. I can now take almost continuous pictures as MTH rides by on his bike. My pictures of Phoebe capture her as she does something cool, not just her backside.

Now, I just need to take some classes. My kickball games will not allow me to take the next available one as they conflict. But, hopefully, I won't have any conflicts in the fall.

Two New Musselmen

What is a Musselman? Some of you may say they are crazy people. That may be true but they are also very tough people. This past weekend, my husband, MTH, and my sister-in-law, KSH, finished a half ironman length triathlon in Geneva, NY. It is called the Musselman Triathlon (thus, the fact that they are both now Musselmen). The distances are: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. The day was beautiful. It started out around 60 degrees and ended around 82 degrees. I'll let the pictures tell the story:

Picking up MTH's bike in Geneva

KSH and MTH getting ready for the swim

MTH mentally preparing for the day

MTH's wave of swimmers - they all start at once!

MTH exiting the water

MTH heads off for the scenic bike route

KSH is off on the bike

First guy out for the run - he won

MTH coming back in from the bike ride

MTH off for the last leg - just a half marathon to go

KSH gracefully dismounts the bike after a multiple hour bike ride

She's flying!

And, she's done!

Here comes MTH

Finally, time to relax

MTH's Triathlon

MTH ran the "I Heart The Tavern" Triathlon this morning. It was 750 meter swim, 18 mile bike and a 5k run. He finished in about 1 hour and 44 minutes. I'll update with the exact results once they're posted. Here's some highlights from the race:

MTH informed me that he's at the front of the pack and not even in this picture :)

Look at MTH run in flip flops!

He's getting quicker in the transition area!

Going out for the bike ride

Looking good after the bike ride

Only 5k more to go

What? Did I just do a trail run?

I'm ready for another round.

My Life Lately

This post was originally written on 6/24 but I didn't publish it until today, 7/1.

I know that I haven't posted much lately. Here's a quick review of what's been going on:

1st week in June:
I went to a Happy Hour with my kickball team at Nacho Mama's. We're called the Bad Guys from Fraggle Rock. I'm not sure what the significance of that name is. That weekend MTH and I went to DC for the Lawyers Have Heart 10K. The night before the 10K, AL and I went to the Village Bistro and The Dairy Godmother, home of the best French custard. I definitely miss Alexandria! I had hoped to stop by Cheesetique and Whole Foods before leaving the DC area but MTH had to hurry back on Saturday in order to work and work out.

2nd week in June:
We had our first kickball game. We lost (badly). But, we did have fun at Sine after the game. That weekend was the James River Scramble and the James River Splash that MTH and I took part in. For the rest of the weekend, I hung out with my parents. MTH was working a lot of that time unfortunately. He did get to catch up with us over dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. SM, Mom and I made a cake to celebrate SM's and MTH's birthdays early. We also tried out barbecuing chicken on the grill with woodchips. I made a homemade bbq sauce that we brushed on the chicken at the end. It turned out quite nice.

3rd week in June:
I missed our second kickball game on Tuesday as I thought I was going to be traveling to Northern VA for work. I ended up staying in Richmond until Wednesday. I was going up to NYC to go to a work party with MTH. As a side note, MTH has been basically working out of the NYC office lately. My flight was originally supposed to leave at 7:15pm. Instead, we left around 10:15pm. Because I was so delayed, MTH and I landed at LaGuardia about the same time. He was coming from a day trip to Dallas. We took a taxi to our hotel, W New York. When we go to check in, they inform us that they are sold out and that they've rebooked us at their sister property, the W New York Court. They pay for the taxi ride there. We go to check in there and they were so slow that it was at least another 15 minutes before we got to our room. We were in bed by 1am. MTH had a wake up call at 7am but neither of us got up. Six hours is just not quite enough sleep for me. I was up and working by 8am though. Then, I left for the party at 3:15pm. It was in a place called Rye, NY. We took a black car there. The party was quite nice. It was catered with Cuban/Latin inspired dishes. After dinner, we had a Texas Hold 'Em tournament. I did respectably but did not win. We ended up not getting back to the hotel room until after 11pm. I'm too old for late nights during the week! I got up the next morning at 7am in order to head over to KSH (my sister-in-law) to work for the morning. She and I then headed to Grand Central Station for lunch with MTH and MDH (her husband, MTH's brother). MTH canceled on us as he had a phone call for work. After a nice and extremely quick lunch at Junior's, I headed to LaGuardia. I had a 2 hour meeting from 2-4 but my flight was scheduled to leave at 5:19pm so I needed to be inside the security area in order to be on time for the flight. I was inside by 1:30pm. But, then I couldn't find a place with power or wireless for my computer. So, I bought a one day pass to the US Airways Club. It worked out for the best anyway as there were no announcements in there. That makes for a better situation when you're on the phone. Unfortunately, my flight did not leave at 5:19pm as scheduled. Instead, it left around 10pm. At this point in my life, I am not at all fond of US Airways. They are extremely unreliable and on top of that, they do not communicate very well with their passengers. The only good part about the evening is that MTH and I were there together. If I hadn't been in NYC with him, he would have been in the airport trying to get home while I was at home in Richmond, waiting on him to get there. Yesterday, we slept late in order to catch up on our sleep. I then went for an hour long walk with Britgirl. MTH and I met up with Britgirl and BL (her boyfriend, my friend from work) at Millie's for a nice dinner. Britgirl will be going back to England next weekend for a month. She's changing her visa to a student one as she's going back to school in the fall. After dinner, MTH wanted to see the DC United soccer game so we headed to Penny Lane Pub. While MTH and BL watched the game, Britgirl and I played some terrible games of pool but they were fun. We also played some games of darts. They were not as fun. Today, I've gone for a 4 mile run and am now getting a list together to go to the store.

That's June in a nutshell so far.