I miss my friends. A lot.
Houston is "fun" and all, but I really really really miss my friends. I feel like I hardly see anyone anymore. I get calls & emails from people wanting to work out or hang out, but I can't because I'm not in town.
I'm currently interviewing to find my replacement for Houston. I'm taking my time, but I want to be sure to hire the right person so I don't have to do the interview process again. I only want to have to train someone once. I'll still have to travel even when I hire someone, but not as much, and hopefully not overnight.
Sigh.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Thursday
Today is SOOOO much better than Monday. Why?
-It's Thursday, not Monday. Enough said.
-My bosses are on vacation for the next 2 weeks!
-I get to do a skit at a luncheon today about an adventure race I'm putting on. It's going to be totally goofy and silly, but I'm still excited about it.
-I got to see Maggie yesterday for the first time in weeks.
-I am not driving back from Houston right now.
-I am wearing a new pair of pants. They are really cute - gray and plaid - and they make me happy.
-I went trail running this morning with Wiley, Lulu, Triscuit & Tim. This was interesting, because I am giant clutz and have little control over my body. And it was very dark. Even with Wiley's headlamp, I still managed to roll my ankle on a rock. I tried to man up and keep going, but it really hurt. Lulu was gracious enough to escort me back to the trail head. I felt very lame, but I still want to go again. Anyway, there were emails waiting for me when I got to work asking me how I am, and telling me that I need to come out again. I'm flattered that they want me to try again after my gloriously slow and clutzy showing this morning.
-It's raining! Which means the creek will not dry up as quickly and we can take the dogs swimming more. And our grass will be green again. And my company should get some work and make money and not harrass me about my hotel rooms.
-My calendar is actually empty tomorrow for the first time in weeks. I may be able to catch up.
-My office is empty now which means I can listen to classical music as loud as I want.
-I am pretty sore from my workout yesterday at the gym. I love gym soreness - it makes me feel like I'm really working.
So, there you have it... a quick list of reasons why today is so much better than Monday!!
-It's Thursday, not Monday. Enough said.
-My bosses are on vacation for the next 2 weeks!
-I get to do a skit at a luncheon today about an adventure race I'm putting on. It's going to be totally goofy and silly, but I'm still excited about it.
-I got to see Maggie yesterday for the first time in weeks.
-I am not driving back from Houston right now.
-I am wearing a new pair of pants. They are really cute - gray and plaid - and they make me happy.
-I went trail running this morning with Wiley, Lulu, Triscuit & Tim. This was interesting, because I am giant clutz and have little control over my body. And it was very dark. Even with Wiley's headlamp, I still managed to roll my ankle on a rock. I tried to man up and keep going, but it really hurt. Lulu was gracious enough to escort me back to the trail head. I felt very lame, but I still want to go again. Anyway, there were emails waiting for me when I got to work asking me how I am, and telling me that I need to come out again. I'm flattered that they want me to try again after my gloriously slow and clutzy showing this morning.
-It's raining! Which means the creek will not dry up as quickly and we can take the dogs swimming more. And our grass will be green again. And my company should get some work and make money and not harrass me about my hotel rooms.
-My calendar is actually empty tomorrow for the first time in weeks. I may be able to catch up.
-My office is empty now which means I can listen to classical music as loud as I want.
-I am pretty sore from my workout yesterday at the gym. I love gym soreness - it makes me feel like I'm really working.
So, there you have it... a quick list of reasons why today is so much better than Monday!!
My very own storm!
How fun is it that I have my very own storm? The jokes about Tropical Storm Erin just keep coming!
From the Houston Chronicle, "Officials in some coastal counties are expected to feel the full impact of Erin..."
Hahaha.... let me unleash my wrath of destruction!
From the Houston Chronicle, "Officials in some coastal counties are expected to feel the full impact of Erin..."
Hahaha.... let me unleash my wrath of destruction!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Mondays
I selected this cute theme for my iGoogle homepage. Throughout the day, these two little critters change activities to reflect what time of day it is. They might be asleep, or playing Frisbee, or eating. Look how cute they are, on their little picnic, with their yummy food and soda. How fun, right?
I wonder what an "Erin at work" theme would look like. With the exception of a nice lunch with friends and morning run, my theme would have me staring angrily at my computer screen, expressing frustration to my GM, stuck in my car, or furrowing my face at the fact that Mondays lately really suck for me.
I find it ironic that this frog and ladybug have so much fun all day long, and each time I open my browser (while stuck at my desk) I have to look at them. I can't remember the last time I went on a picnic on a Monday.
I wonder what an "Erin at work" theme would look like. With the exception of a nice lunch with friends and morning run, my theme would have me staring angrily at my computer screen, expressing frustration to my GM, stuck in my car, or furrowing my face at the fact that Mondays lately really suck for me.I find it ironic that this frog and ladybug have so much fun all day long, and each time I open my browser (while stuck at my desk) I have to look at them. I can't remember the last time I went on a picnic on a Monday.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
X Marks the Spot
My partner in crime & me volunteering at the Darndst Du this morning. Though my biggest volunteer accomplishment was bringing Phil to cook the burgers, I was still glad to be out there. My friends rocked this race.
After seeing how well everyone did, I feel privileged just to train with these people. At some point, I'm going to have to race with them too.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Physically Addicted
I don't think I am mentally addicted to working out. But I do think that I am physically addicted. I once read about a mom who's husband would drop her off miles away from their destination so she could run to it while he drove the kids. I thought this was nuts. Still do, actually, but I somewhat relate.
Yesterday morning, I hadn't worked out for 48 hours. I was a mess. I almost started crying at my desk because I felt so gloomy. Really, it was bad - to the point that everyone told me I needed to go home and take some time off. So, I left and went to the gym. By the time I came back, I felt great.
This morning I didn't want to work out at all. But I promised Kerry & Michelle that I would meet them, and at 6:00am we headed off to the AHS track. We made up our own workout to avoid doing anything too hard because we all felt lazy. (see below for the workout details) Now, as I prepare to head to Houston, I feel fabulous. Like a completely different person. My office has noticed too, and some have said, "you must have run or something this morning, huh?"
My point. Mentally, I want some time off. I am not motivated at all to do much of anything. But apparently my body disagrees. It's addicted to the endorphines. I am really glad I dragged myself out of bed this morning.
*The Lost K* by Kerry & Erin
-warmup
-400 meter repeats, varying by 10K, 5K, 1 mile & rest pace
-between each 400 meters, do 50 reps or 1 minute of ab exercises
-cooldown
Yesterday morning, I hadn't worked out for 48 hours. I was a mess. I almost started crying at my desk because I felt so gloomy. Really, it was bad - to the point that everyone told me I needed to go home and take some time off. So, I left and went to the gym. By the time I came back, I felt great.
This morning I didn't want to work out at all. But I promised Kerry & Michelle that I would meet them, and at 6:00am we headed off to the AHS track. We made up our own workout to avoid doing anything too hard because we all felt lazy. (see below for the workout details) Now, as I prepare to head to Houston, I feel fabulous. Like a completely different person. My office has noticed too, and some have said, "you must have run or something this morning, huh?"
My point. Mentally, I want some time off. I am not motivated at all to do much of anything. But apparently my body disagrees. It's addicted to the endorphines. I am really glad I dragged myself out of bed this morning.
*The Lost K* by Kerry & Erin
-warmup
-400 meter repeats, varying by 10K, 5K, 1 mile & rest pace
-between each 400 meters, do 50 reps or 1 minute of ab exercises
-cooldown
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Nowhere Present.
Half in Austin. Half in Houston. Fully Nowhere. Nowhere Present.
In ten words or less, that sums up my life right now. Perhaps blogging about this publicly isn't the smartest move, but I'm going to do it anyway. Maybe your comments will provide some guidance.
I love my job. I also enjoy traveling for my job. Spending a few nights in a different city is pretty cool - I get to experience two worlds. Last week, I hung out with tons of my Houston contacts and realized it was more like hanging out with my friends. I worked out at the gym that I'm now very familiar with, and it feels like my gym. (In fact, it will be when I join this week.) I ate at my familiar spots. I joined the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. I don't need a map to get around anymore. It's almost as if I live there. Just for a few days a week, but still, it's almost like I live there.
On Saturday night, Phil & I were wandering around the Heights area of Houston for their annual "White Linen Nights" art/music/food festival. A very smart realtor decided to keep one of her for-sale houses open and invite people in while they were walking between galleries. Never ones to turn down an open house, Phil & I went in and looked around. It was a very cute house - not my style, really - but still I really liked it. Here's the scary part - not only did I like it, I could completely see myself living in it. As in, I was imagining where our furniture would go, and how it would feel to run on the jogging trail in front of the house. I was gaging how long it would take me to get to work. I was interested in the school districts and neighborhood associations. I was curious if Olive & Violet would have room in the yard. I was wondering all of the things that the casual nosy person wouldn't wonder.
For people that really know me, you'll know that I rarely let myself think about stuff like this unless I am committed to something. So there is obviously something going on for me that is enabling me to think about living in another city. This is really strange to me because I feel so firmly grounded in Austin. I've always said that I never want to leave Austin.
I've been feeling this "tug" quite a lot lately. By "tug," I mean the feeling that something big is going to change. Much to Phil's dismay, I know, but I can't deny it. I'm not sure if it's because I see a lot of potential career-wise in Houston. Or perhaps I am just looking for a change after almost ten years in Austin. Or perhaps something much deeper is going on. I don't really want to leave, I don't think. I mean, my life is nearly perfect right now, so why would I want to change it up?
Phil has been there & done that. He's moved to new cities sight unseen. He's changed careers, changed houses, and hell, changed marriages. He's ready to stay in one place (here) for good. Who knows, maybe I feel restricted by that? I doubt it, but you never know. One of my best friends just moved across the country to settle into a promotion and start building a family. Maybe I'm feeling something around that. I'm just not sure.
So, why am I blogging about this? I just need to get it out. I've been wrestling around with it for quite a while, and this weekend in Houston showed me that the "tug" is a lot stronger than I thought it was. And until I figure this out, I feel like half of me is in Austin, the other half is in Houston, and I'm not fully present anywhere.
In ten words or less, that sums up my life right now. Perhaps blogging about this publicly isn't the smartest move, but I'm going to do it anyway. Maybe your comments will provide some guidance.
I love my job. I also enjoy traveling for my job. Spending a few nights in a different city is pretty cool - I get to experience two worlds. Last week, I hung out with tons of my Houston contacts and realized it was more like hanging out with my friends. I worked out at the gym that I'm now very familiar with, and it feels like my gym. (In fact, it will be when I join this week.) I ate at my familiar spots. I joined the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. I don't need a map to get around anymore. It's almost as if I live there. Just for a few days a week, but still, it's almost like I live there.
On Saturday night, Phil & I were wandering around the Heights area of Houston for their annual "White Linen Nights" art/music/food festival. A very smart realtor decided to keep one of her for-sale houses open and invite people in while they were walking between galleries. Never ones to turn down an open house, Phil & I went in and looked around. It was a very cute house - not my style, really - but still I really liked it. Here's the scary part - not only did I like it, I could completely see myself living in it. As in, I was imagining where our furniture would go, and how it would feel to run on the jogging trail in front of the house. I was gaging how long it would take me to get to work. I was interested in the school districts and neighborhood associations. I was curious if Olive & Violet would have room in the yard. I was wondering all of the things that the casual nosy person wouldn't wonder.
For people that really know me, you'll know that I rarely let myself think about stuff like this unless I am committed to something. So there is obviously something going on for me that is enabling me to think about living in another city. This is really strange to me because I feel so firmly grounded in Austin. I've always said that I never want to leave Austin.
I've been feeling this "tug" quite a lot lately. By "tug," I mean the feeling that something big is going to change. Much to Phil's dismay, I know, but I can't deny it. I'm not sure if it's because I see a lot of potential career-wise in Houston. Or perhaps I am just looking for a change after almost ten years in Austin. Or perhaps something much deeper is going on. I don't really want to leave, I don't think. I mean, my life is nearly perfect right now, so why would I want to change it up?
Phil has been there & done that. He's moved to new cities sight unseen. He's changed careers, changed houses, and hell, changed marriages. He's ready to stay in one place (here) for good. Who knows, maybe I feel restricted by that? I doubt it, but you never know. One of my best friends just moved across the country to settle into a promotion and start building a family. Maybe I'm feeling something around that. I'm just not sure.
So, why am I blogging about this? I just need to get it out. I've been wrestling around with it for quite a while, and this weekend in Houston showed me that the "tug" is a lot stronger than I thought it was. And until I figure this out, I feel like half of me is in Austin, the other half is in Houston, and I'm not fully present anywhere.
Embracing the Off
I'm officially embracing my "off" time. In case anyone was wondering.
I'm going to write about what's been going on for me lately soon, but for now... it's off to dinner at Chuys with our friends that we spent all weekend with. I.E. Continuing to ignore that tomorrow is Monday and I have to face reality again.
I'm going to write about what's been going on for me lately soon, but for now... it's off to dinner at Chuys with our friends that we spent all weekend with. I.E. Continuing to ignore that tomorrow is Monday and I have to face reality again.
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