Ten on Tuesday, September 28

Hi!

1. I can tolerate anything but ignorance. Stupidity I can handle, because the stupid lack the capacity to learn. But ignorant people could do better, and they simply choose not to.
2. Spin class is my knees' new favorite activity. It helps build my leg muscles, puts very little strain on the knees (as long as I'm concentrating on my form) and keeps me in constant motion for a full hour so I torch a metric shit-ton of calories. Sweet!
3. Thank heaven Dad loaned me his hold space heater a few years ago. My apartment has been about 62 degrees at night for the past several nights, because my landlord is a jerkweasel who won't turn on the heat until he legally has to. I stay cozy, thanks to the space heater, and Jenn's gift of an electric mattress pad.
4. I run slowly. But I do run. And stumble. And limp. And complain. I'll be doing all of that on November 6, during the Hot Chocolate 5k in Grant Park. It's a 5k (duh) run (there's also a 15k), followed by a chocolate party. Holler.
5. This is my second year embracing autumn. It's working out very well for me. One of the sweetest outcomes of my divorce is re-discovering my ability to be happy, no matter my circumstances. He hated the cold, and it rubbed off on me ... but now, it's not such a tragedy. It's just autumn.
6. I think the American workday should include a siesta.
7. My friends amaze me. Their generosity of spirit just overwhelms me sometimes. Whether it's Linda providing me with the nutritional supplement that helps my knees, or Rebekah emptying her closet of sweaters she doesn't wear (but are totally my style!), or the simple things like a family member checking in with me (and wanting to do the Hot Chocolate run with me - yay Kathie!), or my sister Jenn giving me potatoes (and anything else I can sneak into my bag when she's not looking )or the countless other ways love just pours out - it just means I am incredibly fortunate.
8. My skin is showing its age. I think I have new wrinkles under my eyes, and can we talk about those creases at the corners of my mouth? Can this be fixed? Or slowed down? Or am I just meant to let my face become a roadmap?
9. I love that Patrick calls me whenever he has a trivia question to which he doesn't know the answer. It keeps us connected ... mostly because my mind is a vessel filled with minutia.
10. I really wish I knew how to play the guitar.
    

Ten on Tuesday, September 21

1. My knee is like a teenaged girl. You never know what you're gonna get. Some days, it's a real asshole, bitching every time I ask it to move. Others, it's completely compatible with my life. It's pissing me off, but I keep moving.
2. I tried to keep moving at the gym tonight, but within the first hour of my workout - strength training class - the power went out four times. When they finally evacuated the cardio floor, many people stayed behind to see how long it would be before they opened everything up again. I, on the other hand, got into my car and drove right on home to have a little nummy dinner. I don't feel guilty - I made the effort to walk at lunchtime - and it just seemed like the right thing to do.
3. I've been cheating on my blog. There's another, and you can find it here. I started blogging to follow my efforts to get all healtified. It's been helpful to have an outlet for the crazy. Read it if you wish, or just ignore it. No big.
4. I totally loved doing the Blackhawks Training Camp Festival 5k with my nephew. Such a fun day! And no, I'm still not a hockey fan.
5. Massage. Gimme. Now.
6. I love thunderstorms. Tonight's was particularly gorgeous, because there was a little daylight happening, so you could see the clouds and the everything and the pretty. Beautiful. Just beautiful.
7. I made chili over the weekend. Chili, with a little whole wheat macaroni, and homemade corn muffins. Sometimes, I am awesome.
8. I received an email from an old friend's wife today. I've never met her (the wife, not the friend) but she sought me out to invite me to his birthday party. You never know when you'll be honored with such a request. I wish I could go - I can't, because A) no travel money and B) I'm actually busy that weekend, but one of these days I'll find myself with a raincheck, and I'll show up. How cool is that?
9. I need to stretch more.
   
10. I always wanted to be the girl people noticed when she walked into the room, because of her clear and undeniable beauty. I got half my wish: usually people notice me because I either fall down or laugh really loudly. It's me. I'll take it.
    

Ten on Tuesday, September 14

1. The intensity with which stupid is applied sometimes makes my head spin.
2. I'm hungry. But then, I'm hungry a lot. A few weeks back, I crawled back onto the Calorie Counting Bandwagon, and I've learned to welcome that hungry feeling. And it's paying off! Little by little, the pounds are melting. Again.
3. Over the weekend, I had breakfast with my friend Jessica - I call her Shakespeare. Anyway, this breakfast was our last meal together for a year. She's going to Ireland to study for her Master's Degree. I'm terribly proud of her, but I am going to miss her face something awful. She is the co-founder of Choose Awesome, and a complete doll.
4. I got cable TV and a DVR just in time for my favorite shows to end their seasons. My Boys, Psych and Royal Pains ... all done for the season. BOO.
5. I was actually going to audition for a show. Wheaton Drama is doing Little Women, which my mother was in back in high school, and I think the story is just outstanding. I would love to do the show, but seriously - they have a performance on Thanksgiving! Nope. Sorry. Not giving up my favorite holiday. Something else will come along.
6. Sometimes I still get sad at having been left by every man who ever promised not to leave. It's not constant, but sometimes ... it just pisses me off. But then I go to kickboxing and learn not to care.
7. I got my boots back out, and actually wore a pair this week. I love boots. I would really like another pair or two this year. Alas ... they are beautiful, but they are not cheap.
8. This weekend, I'm taking my nephew for a walk. He and I are participating in the Mad Dash to Madison, the 5K run/walk or 10K skate associated with the Chicago Blackhawks Training Camp Festival. Should be a ton of fun, especially because he's a huge hockey fan, and I like the Chicago Stadium. Okay, it's the United Center, but I still miss the old Stadium. Anyhoo, hopefully there will be many photo ops and a good time will be had by all.
9. I would really, really like to move. My landlord is just beyond uncooperative, but so far most of the places I'd like to live are cost-prohibitive, regardless of the prices they advertise online. Oh, and the one place I really love? Yeah, it's almost $500 a month more than I'm paying now! Unbelievable. I thought places were hurting for renters? Guess not so much.
10. I lost my favorite sweater. It's black, with three-quarter sleeves and just one button, up at the neck. It was my go-to sweater, and I have no idea what happened to it. It's been gone since before summer kicked into high gear, and now ... I'm not sure how I'm gonna navigate autumn with out it. Have you seen it?

Ten on Tuesday, September 7

The Birthday Weekend Edition!

1. Karaoke on Friday night was an absolute blast. I haven't seen Steve in years, and he was there. Tim showed up, too, fresh from his two-week year in Korea. Add Amber and I to the mix, along with a bunch of really great singers, and it made for an incredible night of music. And that one crazy woman. No, it wasn't me.
2. Saturday was chilly. So much for my day at the beach! But still, it was lovely. Amber and I wandered around town, ate sandwiches on the lakefront, read our books and enjoyed the sun while it lasted. A perfect afternoon, in my opinion.
3. Dale and Candy invited me over for dinner on Saturday night, and in typical fashion, it was delicious. Steak and pork fajitas, red pepper tamales, homemade pico and guacamole ... is there any wonder I keep showing up at their house? To say nothing of watching "Tropic Thunder" and laughing our fannies off. It was an ideal birthday-eve!
4. Sunday morning was fun, because I share a birthday with Amber's boyfriend, Chris. The three of us went out for breakfast, and our server brought Chris and I a pancake with a candle in it. That, in addition to my delicious roasted vegetable skillet ... heaven!
5. Sunday night I was in Aurora, at Millie, Eric and Andrea's place. Again with the delicious food! Can I just say ... potatoes in the smoker? I'm still dreaming of them. Anyhoo, Sunday was my actual birthday, and it was delightful to spend the evening around the fire pit with old friends, new friends and a completely relaxed atmosphere. I can't imagine a better way to cap off my birthday.
6. Monday was a day spent with Dad and Mike. I'm not gonna lie - the whole weekend was pretty emotional, because there's a lot of baggage wrapped up in my birthday, but spending a day back home was the exact right thing to set my head and heart back on straight. There's something about being home, and being with my dad, that reminds me of who I am. It helps me make a lot more sense to myself. And the food there is also delicious. Turkey, sweet potatoes and sweet corn ... does it get any better than that?
7. I hurt my knee in a new and different way on Friday, when I lifted my heavy bag to make my way to the car. It's in the back this time, and I can't straighten my leg. Which is, ya know, just great for a girl who is trying desperately not to interrupt the workout regimen. I'm gonna try to do the elliptical tonight instead of dance class. Hopefully that will be a little more predictable, and I can avoid further injury. Dammit.
8. Sometimes it's really difficult to do what's best for myself. In the moment, ice cream sounds perfect. Blowing off my afternoon walk seems ideal. Throwing caution to the wind is intriguing. But I'm getting a little too old for that, at least if it hasn't been carefully planned.
9. I love that my cat is always happy when I come home. Unless he is sick, he always greets me at the door. I know that this is because he wants to be either fed or held or both, but still, it's the sweetest thing.
10. I had a horrible time sleeping last night. The wind was fierce, slamming against the little plastic accordion things that fill the space in the window that isn't filled by the air conditioner. So picture, if you will, a half-asleep Maggie rising from bed at 2 a.m. to yank the damn A/C out of the window. Yes, it happened. And I finally fell (and stayed) asleep.