Her Boyfriend Is A Serial Killer

So I have to give a shout out to my friend, Lynne, for telling me about my new favorite drama, ‘Dexter’.  Unfortunately, it’s on Showtime - so I can watch past seasons - but then will have to wait for all the current episodes to come out on DVD.  Kind of like ‘The Tudors’ - the second season was finally released on DVD - will catch up with it after my new favorite show.  So back to Dexter.

It’s about a guy that is a blood spatter expert for the cops by day and a serial killer by night.  I watched the first episode and thought - hmmm...  not quite sure - almost didn't watch anymore.  During the second episode, I started getting into it a bit more and by the third one I was hooked.  Part of what I love about the show is his running commentary about life throughout the episode.  And there was a line in the first season that really made me laugh.  He was talking about his girlfriend and said “I shouldn’t be here.  Rita will be devastated when I’m arrested.  Her husband was a crackhead and her boyfriend is a serial killer.  It’s hard not to take that personally.”  All in his deadpan voice.

A couple of quotes from season two that I have found amusing...  “It’s one thing to f&%k with me another to f&%k with...  my ex girlfriend who hates me.”  And for all of you parents...  “It’s strange to have a creation out there... a deeply mutated version of yourself... running loose and screwing everything up...  I wonder if this is how parents feel?”  It's just fascinating!

And then there is Michael C. Hall.  You may remember him from ‘Six Feet Under’ - an HBO show about a family run funeral home.  He played the gay brother (or son - depending on your perspective) - a bit stiff (no pun intended) and frumpy.  Not in Dexter!  He looks like he has lost weight and buffed up - nice!  That and he wears a Tshirt under his shirt in the opening credits. Mmmmm!

Checking Themselves Out

So this week - instead of running in the morning - I’ve been running in the evening after work.  it’s much easier for me than getting up early and running before work - especially since I go into work early so I can leave early.  So the first night - it was getting dark and I thought - this isn’t very smart - my shoes are reflective, but I’m wearing black shorts and a navy sweatshirt - then I thought - who can miss these bright white legs of mine!  Lilly white is actually what my mom used to call me - God Bless Her.  The biggest challenge about running in the evening, though, is not stopping at In N Out at the end of the run.  It smells so good!  I have to weigh in on Saturday, though - so I need to be extra good this week!

Last night - instead of running, I actually went to the gym.  And it was busy for 8pm - although I guess it’s still January - will probably calm down by the end of February.  I usually have my ipod on - but they were playing some good 70’s music - I actually enjoyed the gym music for part of my workout.  And it always amuses me to see the young guys that are always walking by the mirrors checking themselves out - what a catch they each must be!

And tonight I took a short run - it was a beautiful evening for a run!  Ready or not, Huntington Beach, here I come!

I Feel So Special...

Sadie chose to lay on the couch with me rather than lay on the fresh warm laundry just out of the dryer.  I must really rate!  She must have missed me!  :)  Have been out of town since Wednesday afternoon - so Aunt Terrie has been coming by to feed and water her - Thanks, Aunt Terrie!  Was in Santa Barbara for a Prayer and Healing Conference.  It was wonderful!  Beautiful setting, good workshops and amazing worship!  And I even got a couple of runs done - in between the rain!  The first morning we were there - I was able to go running and when I started - I was just feeling miserable - but kept at it - and at one point saw 3 police cars in a strip mall parking lot and thought - cool - I've found the donut shop!  It was just a hole in the wall restaurant - and I didn't run far enough down the street to get to the Starbucks.  I did pass the Auto Club office, though.  Went running again this morning - the last day and it was just a beautiful morning.  A little chilly and windy on the way back - but ended up running farther than I had expected.  And there's nothing like looking to the left and seeing the mountains and looking to the right and seeing the ocean!  Just beautiful!  It was a good run this morning - but still not sure how I'm going to complete a 5K next week - with a little help from my friends, I suspect!  God Bless Us All!

Don't Cross The Street

This is post number 200 - yipee!  That's not why I'm posting - I just noticed that when I signed in.  A quick post this morning.  So as I've been training for the 5K - I always go to the gym and run on the treadmill - at least that way when I'm done - I don't have to walk back to the house!  Well, this morning I took my show on the road - and I liked it - quite different.  I did about 2 miles, although at the end of the first mile - my turning around point - I noticed a donut shop - and thought - hmmm...  a chocolate raised and chocolate milk sound good right now - don't do it!  Then thought - good thing there isn't a Starbucks around for hot chocolate - then remembered - there it is - across the street - Don't cross the street!  I did resist all the temptation and made my way back.  I liked the interaction with the folks out and about also - there weren't many - but got to say hello to a couple of walkers and smile and nod at a cute bicyclist.  And B - the new shorts and shuffle were Great.

The OC and other thoughts...

I went to a dance recital the other night for my niece.  Her high school offers dance classes - so it was fun to go and watch her since she doesn't dance with a private studio anymore.  At one point though - I'm looking up on the stage with all the pretty skinny girls with their long (mostly blonde) hair and all I can think is 'how The OC is this'?!  All that aside - they did in the entire recital have girls of all shapes and sizes and even a couple of colors too.  And just to see all the kids in the audience cheering on their friends was fun.  Almost deafening, though - we sat in front of some girls that had to scream at the top of their lungs for at least one person in each dance routine.

I have to admit - it brought back memories of the first time I was in a dance recital - as an adult.  We had one routine that we did at the end of the show and we started to dance and I don't remember if the audience was cheering or not - but all the kids backstage were hollering for us - it was a pretty cool feeling - nice to feel so supported!

Speaking of support - I have to tell about one of my blessings for yesterday.  We had Joyful Noise practice (that is our children's choir) - and one of the girls was hanging back not really participating - so when everyone stood up and moved closer to the piano - she didn't want to move.  So I walked to the back of the kids and asked if she would like to come stand with me.  She did - she didn't sing - but at least she was part of the group.  When the kids all sat down again - she moved to the back and sat by herself against the wall.  Well, her friend, Allison, saw that she was sitting back there and went over to sit next to her and didn't say anything to her - just put her arm around her - it was the most beautiful thing - it made me want to cry.  These are first graders - what love and compassion they show is just wonderful - God Bless Them!

They Were Like A New Toy On Christmas

I finally got my running shoes - they were like a new toy on Christmas - I was so excited - of course I was lazy yesterday and didn’t get out to try them - but this weekend - I will definitely be breaking them in!

After my less than stellar experience earlier in the week at the local running shop - I decided to visit the mothership - the original shop.  And I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful service I received.  I walked in and after a moment - Marco said hello - walked over asked if I needed any help and I told him I was looking for running shoes.  He got a bunch of information from me - measured my foot and then brought a pair of shoes out for me to run in so he could determine what type of runner I am.  So we go outside and he has me run down the sidewalk of the strip mall - in my dress clothes, of course - and my pants rolled - I'm sure I was quite the sight!  I felt a bit silly - not so much about the people in the strip mall - he assured me that all the businesses are used to it - but more because Warner is a pretty busy street.  But it’s not like I will be seeing any of those people again!

So I found out that I’m a neutral runner - and the pair of shoes I liked the best were on sale - it was tough - though - the other pair of shoes I was considering had my favorite color in them - but thought - no don’t go for the cute ones - go for the ones that are more comfortable - they are cute too - since it's all about looking good!  I also bought a pair of running socks - so now I’m all set.  Marco also encouraged me to try a half marathon - yeah - not so sure - we’ll see how the 5K goes.  He gave me info about some other races and some magazines that listed all sorts of events.  I would definitely recommend that store!

So we’ll see how it all goes - Surf City 5K - here I come!

Friendly and Outgoing - Not!

So I was ready to plop down some money today on a new pair of running shoes.  Since I'm training for a 5K - thought I would go into a local running shop - recommended by a couple of people - and have them fit me for proper running shoes.  So I drive up and there is no one parked outside - so I'm thinking I'll be able to get some personalized service without having to wait.  I walk in and tentatively look around and notice the counter is in the back - so I walk back there - still surveying the place and notice 2 people behind the counter and one in front - who looks like he might be an employee.  I stand there for a few moments - waiting to see if anyone will offer to help me - or at the very least - say hello.  One of the guys is on the phone and the other two are chit chatting.  So I'm standing there and realize that I don't think they are going to say anything to me - they should have heard me come in - the door has a bell - and it doesn't look like there is anyone else in the store.  So I start looking at the socks near the back - waiting... I wander over to some running clothes - still waiting to see if I will get any service at all.  I lingered a little longer - and then walked out.  I couldn't believe it - especially after having just taught customer service skills to my class today.  I'll have to tell them about this experience in the morning!  Now - I could have walked up to the counter and told them what I wanted - but if they can't make the effort to even acknowledge that I'm standing there - they don't deserve my business.  Now my problem is finding a place where I can get fitted for running shoes.  They have a sister store in Fountain Valley - might try to go to that store on Friday.  As I'm getting in my car after this experience, I notice that they have a Help Wanted sign in the window looking for people that are friendly and outgoing - and all I could think was - why do they need to be friendly and outgoing if they are just going to ignore the customers?  Unacceptable!