Pre-Emptive Therapy

I trained for and ran my first marathon this October (yea!). I tried once before and failed due to injury, and stayed out of the game for too long, with disastrous results. This time around, I decided I actually wanted to finish the darn race, so I tried a different approach. I made an appointment with a physical therapist BEFORE I was injured, to prevent the inevitable onset of the shin splints that plagued me for so long. And guess what? I accomplished my goal of running pain free, and will probably run another marathon this year, with the goal of beating my first time.

Why do I tell this story, when so many of you have heard more about my shins that you could ever dream of? It's because I felt GREAT after my race. I followed the recovery plan, gave myself lots of rest, and promptly forgot everything I learned in PT about the benefits of frequent tissue massage with The Stick. "That's for when you're injured," I kept telling myself. "I'll use it when I feel sore," I said. So I increased my mileage up and up, and felt great. And today I hurt my ankle, so of course I went running for the tool I know to work so well, only a tad too late. Should have been using it all along to PREVENT injury in the first place.

I do this in so many other places in my life. I know that regular journaling helps me to process my thoughts and emotions, thus preventing any major breakdowns in sanity. But when do I actually reach for the pen? When something's going wrong. Stretching out my muscles makes them feel better, but I only seem to do that when they're already tight. Putting away my clothes every day helps my room to stay neat and orderly, but I prefer to let it become a FEMA disaster zone before panicking and spending a day cleaning. And the list goes on and on.

Moral of this little tale? Think about what you do to solve a problem in your life, and do that on a consistent basis before the problem ever surfaces its ugly head.

Notes to My 14 Year Old Self

(Or, "We Need a Hot Tub Time Machine!")

Hey Tweeps! If you could go back to age 14, what would you change about the way you lived your life? What would you do the same?

I love my little sister. If you're reading my blog, you probably already know that. But really, she's the most awesome kid I know. Some reasons why I like her: She's crazy smart, witty, and goofy. She's way more mature than I was at that age. She's thoughtful, insightful, and deep. She still likes hugs, even though she can't do that cool running/ jumping thing anymore that she did when she was 3. I also like her because right now, she's half my age. I'm old enough that I've always felt I had a part raising her, but I'm not so much older than her that I'm like a parent. Best of both worlds.

But I digress. Sometimes I feel at a loss to give her decent advice that doesn't just sound like I know better than her. But I also don't want her to make all the same mistakes I did when I was younger. Some mistakes are good. Some are inevitable. And some experiences you just can't quite call yourself a well rounded without. Which is what prompted the above question. Perhaps collective wisdom can help a younger generation to make some good decisions, and avoid the bad ones. Or not. So here goes, in no particular order. Identities have been removed to protect the guilty. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

• I wouldn't smoke cigarettes, and I'd apply to better colleges. And I'd tell my best friend when his girlfriend cheated on him.
• I would have focused more on my writing. I would have tried out for softball and forensics.
• I also would've have spent so much money on vhs tapes and dvd's.
• I would've joined the track team, not dated my loser boyfriend, and spent more time on schoolwork.
• Stop wasting money on Depeche Mode singles.
• Enjoy next summer. It will be the last three months of your life with no responsibilities whatsoever.
• Think about what you want out of college. Don't just roll with whatever comes to you.
• I wouldn't have dated that one girl (instead her friend)... majored in accounting... ummm... yeah, that's it.
• I would have spent more time on schoolwork, gone to a better college; with a softball team. And I would have travelled more
• I still would have been involved in things (music, clubs, sports). I'd change the female cattyness and be nicer to certian people.
• Gotten a better internship in college, tried to talk to my dad about his drinking. Saved more and learned about good food sooner.
• I wouldn't change the friendships I made or moving away from home.
• I wish I has realized I only get one chance to impress at school
• Never be afraid to tell someone how I feel
• never get caught up in the dangers of debt!

And my thoughts:

• When Kara said, "Hey! Let's join cross country!" I would have agreed.
• When Kara said, "Hey, Let's be cheerleaders!" I would have said no way.
• I would have dated fewer guys, especially when I was 14.
• I probably would still have dated that one guy who we all love. He was a good guy, even though we messed with each other's heads.
• I would have read more good books, and worked on my writing when I had teachers around to help me
• I would have tried harder to advance myself in math. My life could be drastically different if I had pursued a math track.
• I would have asked someone for fashion advice.

Thank You So Much

This weekend I listened to a sermon about the tenth commandment: "Thou shalt not covet." Prior to this, I never much considered myself a covetous person. I think i get by fairly with minimal material possessions. I don't think I ask fr much. However, I soon learned that there's more in life to be envious of, and that those things keep me from truly appreciating all that I have been blessed with. The pastor presented the congregation with a challenge: go home and list everything you're thankful for. Keep listing for a few days. He challenged us to come up with a list of 50, 100, or even 500 items. I see this as a valuable activity, as I have been so blessed in my life, though I often forget those blessings when I'm overcome with self pity at one temporary situation or another.

So here's my top 25, in the order in which I thought of them. I managed to create an excel spreadsheet of 64 items in about 5 minutes, and I'll keep adding as I think of things.

food

emergency room

dentist

electricity

gas

my own car

college education

job

multitude of grocery stores

fashionable and seasonal clothing

hair dye

the internet

computers

itunes

all of my senses

rain

vegetables

family

friends

past relationships

learning from mistakes

wisdom

affordable housing

medicine

entertainment

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

A List of Sorts

In the interest of feeling a little caught up on this blog, and for everyone who actually reads (all 2 of you), here's a list of what's been going on lately.

• I went to Africa. It was great. I'd love to show you pictures; all you have to do is ask.
• I started running again, then stopped, then started again. I hope to run a half by November.
  
• I ended a 2 year long relationship.
  
• I enjoyed several adventures in baking.
• I found a new bar that I'd like to make my regular hang out - Leff's Lucky Town in Tosa. Great new patio, ok food service.
• I bought a new computer and new cell phone. Love the former, undecided about the latter.
• I finished the 3rd season of BSG. Can't wait to start season 4, by myself.
• I watched the first season of Lost. Not bad.
• I planned a camping trip and a baseball outing.
• I downloaded a ton of music from emusic.com, and look forward to more.
  
• I saw the Hangover by myself, and laughed.
• I watched He's Just Not That Into You, and cried.
  
• I made a bet with Heather that I intend to win.
  

I Like Lists

I'm a forgetful person. About some things. I remember a promise someone made to me years ago, word for word. I remember exactly what outfit I was wearing at my 21st birthday party (even though the rest of the details are sketchy). I remember the terrible taste of asparagus the time my parents made me chew it for hours. But I can't for the life of me remember the name of that really nice person I met last week, where I left my cell phone, what I wanted to say, or the three things I need to pick up at the grocery store.

It is for these items that I make lists. I love them. I make lists for the store, to-do lists, packing lists, lists of cds and books that I'd like to buy someday. And yes, once in awhile I'll make a list of the top 3 things that I'd like to remember from a conversation over a glass of wine.

I like looking back on old lists, and I enjoy reading other peoples' lists. But sometimes, I even forget where I put my list. This has happened to me the past few trips to the grocery store. What I've found, though, is the simple act of making the list helps me to remember what I needed to buy. I'm delighted when I come home and I did indeed purchase everything I intended to.

Which is why I won't be giving up the habit anytime soon. now if only I could apply the practice to finding my cell phone...

So, on face book, there's an option to find friends (if you feel you need them). You can search by email. by workplace, or by graduating class. Since I've had a little bit of wine tonight, I decided to search by BCHS class of 2000.

It turns out, there are about ten people on the list they gave me that I'd actually like to be friends with. Turns out, those are the people I'm already friends with! was I such a nerd in high school that I don't even know who half these people are, and definitely don't care if they like me as a friend or not? Do I even need to go to my 10 year reunion?

Ouch.

So it turns out the combination of lemons, sugar, and just a wee bit of vodka can cause a nasty canker sore.

Ouch.

Catching Up

I listened to a great sermon this weekend on pacing one's life. Part of what I learned is that Americans suffer from overload syndrome. Debt overload, commitment overload, stress, decision, choice, hurry, expectation, possession, activity, fatigue, information, noise, people, technology...

Since then, I've made it my goal to become less overloaded. I think I've become fairly famous for my Jessie Nights, but honestly, I've forgotten what those are like. I can't remember the last time I've sat on my couch by myself, done enjoyable things alone, or gone to bed before 10pm, without some sort of commitment or expectation.

So here's how I plan to spend the next two evenings:
Listening to the new Magnetic Fields album on MySpace, at least two more times, before forming any opinions.
Laying in bed with a stack of books, and NOT Book Club ones.
Writing a letter to Swaziland.
Folding my laundry.
Making "Thank You" phone calls for Christmas gifts.
Putting photos in frames.

I will also be going to bed obscenely early.

Housekeeping Tips from Jessie

Hate ironing? Before you hang up wrinkled clothes out of sheer disgust for your inefficient and labor intensive iron, try this tip.

Do your ironing immediately after removing clothes from the dryer, slightly damp. This will guarantee a swifter and cleaner smooth job, smiles all around.

Happy Homemaking!

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts

This is actually the title of a book that you're supposed to read before you get married, but here's a list that, if followed, will help to prevent any self-help books from happening. If used correctly, it may also prevent over-analysis of relationships, the silent treatment, and may lead to more cuddling and quality time, and football, and other good things.

That said... Avoid the following situations, or proceed with due caution.

9 Simple Things That Will Cause Fights In Any Relationship
1. Directions, or lack there of
2. Moving
3. Neglecting the 10 minute post-work decompression time
4. Dishes
5. Cleaning
6. Board games
7. Picture hanging
8. Insecurity
9. The trash

You have been warned.

Thanks to Heather for her contributions to this project.

Update 11/17 12:12am - Thanks to Josh and Eric. Josh, flatulence shouldn't cause fights, if both parties are open and honest and accepting. I'll give you insecurity, however, even though it's a bit general. Eric, I'll give you trash.

Maps, Graphs, and How We Die

I like random facts, presented in a visually appealing, categorized manner.

Causes of mortality around the world.

A Eulogy of Sorts

Now, in my time as a runner, I've seen a lot of wildlife on the streets and on the trails. I've seen dead deer, and I've seen live deer (up close and personal, might I add). I've seen foxes, squirrels, and chipmunks, and even a mouse or two. I've seen birds of all shapes and sizes, and swarms of dragonflies that could have carried me away.

Today, I saw a frog. It could have been a toad, I'm not sure. I was moving too fast, and my timing was a bit off, and it turns out I didn't recognize it as an actual living thing until it was, um, er, underfoot. The fact that it was amphibious and not plantlike was further confirmed by the disconcerting squishing that happened as my Ryka landed squarely on Frog/ Toad.

To the friends and family of Mr./Ms. Frog/ Toad: I am sorry for the unintentional death of your loved one. I'm certain he/ she was dear to you. Quite a bit of hopping done in his/her day, I'm sure. You may retrieve his/ her body on the Oak Leaf Trail, somewhere between 116th St and Beloit Rd, so that funeral services may be held.

In my own defense: It is autumn in Wisconsin. This means that the trails are littered with fallen leaves and other items of nature. The amphibian with whom I crossed paths blended in quite nicely with all of said fallen leaves, and was virtually impossible to distinguish until i was nearly on top of it. That said, the tympanum of amphibians such as frogs and toads are rather close to the ground, and when I run, I do tend to cause substantial vibrations in the pavement. if Mr. or Ms. F/T had been at all with it, he/ she would have hopped out of the way long before I arrived. If one were to ponder that fact for just a moment, one might come to the conclusion that maybe Mr./ Ms. F/T had a death wish of sorts. unhappy with the home life, perhaps? Burrow troubles?

I feel awful, really I do. I promise to look a little more closely at the ground from now on. but really, you little guys need to stay out of the way. Get hopping!

What a Perfect Weekend

A day off on Friday (which was mostly wasted, but always nice nonetheless), with pancakes and Settlers with friends at night. Perfect.

One last long run on Saturday morning, followed by an outdoor bridal shower and talking with the girls. An evening of roller skating with my two soon-to-be-long-losts, and ElisaCortez, culminating in a Cubbies game. Perfect.

Sunday at church with mom, quiet time by the fountain, picnic and playtime with great friends in the park. Close it all out by a wonderful evening downtown, and you have a weekend that just makes you happy to be alive in summer in Wisconsin.

Lowered Expectations

I haven't been to Summerfest in at least two years now, since Pete Yorn failed to impress me. I'm going tonight to see Skillet, a band I know very little about, and I'm managing to get pretty excited about it. I don't know if it's the prospect of a night out, dressed up just a little, with some great friends, or the fact that I have free passes and no work tomorrow, but I'm not at all stressed, and really looking forward to getting going.

So basically, the band can suck, as long the shuttle gets me to the lake front, and there's fireworks. I hope my giddiness lasts the night.

This Explains A Lot

Several points that caught my eye in the analysis of my supposed personality type:

ENFP

"They tend to get bored quickly, especially if a newer, more interesting project comes along. They also tend to be procrastinators..."

"ENFPs have what some call a "silly switch." They can be intellectual, serious, all business for a while, but whenever they get the chance, they flip that switch and become CAPTAIN WILDCHILD... Sometimes they may even appear intoxicated when the "switch" is flipped."

"Some have real difficulty being alone , especially on a regular basis."

"ENFPs sometimes can be blindsided by their secondary Feeling function. Hasty decisions based on deeply felt values may boil over with unpredictable results.

"Intuition leans heavily on feeling for meaning and focus. Its best patterns reflect the interesting points of people, giving rise to caricatures of manner, speech and expression."

"ENFPs are strongly influenced by the opinions of their friends"

And, who knew, I share the same personality type as the Fresh Prince of Bel Aire.

(Thanks to Josh for showing me the fun to be had with Jungian Personality typing. Props.)

I Wonder...

...when my hands and feet fall asleep in the middle of the night, and I wake up to shake them back to life, what is it that's really waking me up? Is it the fact that my extremitites are dying, and my body's trying to prevent me from losing limbs, or is it just that I have to get up and go to the bathroom, and it's a helpful coincidence that I can now get the blood flowing again?

____ IRS

I filed my own taxes today, for the first time ever. That was just a wee bit of stress. And what do I have to show for it? $262.36 less than I started with. Ugh.

Happy Birthday, Eric Benjamin!

We here at Chaos think you've made a good showing with your first 25 years of life. Keep living life to the fullest, buddy.

So That Happened

Well, the birthday is over, for the most part. The weekend began with a very enjoyable Friday off of work spent however I pleased, and ended with a late night in Madison with the guys at a not-too-rockin' Pete Yorn show (Eric's review here). Thankfully, Josh did not get beat up this time around, by a girl or otherwise.

Sandwiched in between Friday morning and Sunday night were several nice dinners with friends (no tears shed!), one very lovely Mojito, my worst two games of bowling ever, afternoon manicures and girl talk with KB, and lots of super fun presents, including all kinds of fun music to listen to and talk about on my blog!

Oh, and there was also a few hours spent at the lovely St. Joseph's Urgent Care facility on Hwy 100 on Sunday afternoon, where I had my left foot x-rayed to find a fracture in the bone of my big toe, from spill I took down the stairs at Landmark on Friday night. The doctor ordered a surgical shoe type thing, and no jogging or volleyball for the next four weeks. And at least a week of living in terror of children jumping on it (happened at least 3 times today).



I guess 25 years without a broken bone all that milk drinking could buy me.

Today is Friday, March 2nd, 2007

Just sayin,' is all.