I've just finished watching Saving Grace (2000) a very fun and funny film. I've listed the plot synopsis below. It was a nice way to end a busy day. The carpets in my apartment were 'cleaned' today, so the dogs and I had to spend the day out and about leaving the carpet to dry. Went and got my allergy shots, no reaction today, then another appointment, and then we spent the afternoon working at Diane's house. Llelo was bored and restless and Gus was a little bothered by not having his duck to suck on. We headed home around 5 only to discover the floors were still rather damp, too damp to walk around stocking footed, and the dirty high traffic areas were still quite dirty. How does that work, bring someone in to clean the carpets and be left with wet *and* dirty carpets?!? I don't want to return the furniture to their proper places while the floor is still damp so there is no place to sit. After a simple supper in the kitchen, eaten standing over the sink, the dogs and I have camped out on the king sized bed to watch Saving Grace on the laptop. I watched the movie and the boys, having missed their morning, mid-morning, mid-day, early afternoon, and late afternoon naps sacked out on the bed next to me. I think it's time for me to hit the sack, too, have paddling in the morning.
From Netflix:
Newly widowed Grace finds herself in financial ruin when she discovers that her dearly departed husband has left her deep in debt from his failed get-rich-quick schemes. With the help of her gardener, Matt, Grace turns her green thumb to growing pot, and soon, everyone in her small English town is getting high on more than life.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A Period of Darkness
I had a good, hard paddle with the 50+ guys Tuesday night, just over 9 miles. It was just four of us, Doug, Ed, me, and Clem steering. Another beautiful night, it was still light when we slipped the boat into the water. And for a surprisingly long time afterward parts of the sky seemed to remain illuminated as if from some other worldly light, back lit almost.
We went over to Kirkland as we did last week and then south towards the 520 bridge. It was down near the bridge just as we were beginning to turn back towards home that I was hit with the realization that it was this time last year that I last saw my mother alive, was really able to interact with her. It was really hard to keep paddling, I was barely able to keep count and call the changes while the tears streamed down my face and the ache of grief clenched my heart. I did keep paddling and with only one exception was able to keep calling the changes. That one time Ed, sitting directly in front of me, was the only one who heard me and he called the change again so the others would hear it. A while later, perhaps 5 minutes or so, the wind we created by paddling so hard had dried my tears and my grief powered down some for the time being.
We finished our paddle, got the boat put away and I felt as though I'd gone much further than our 9.1 miles. It was definitely time to go home, shower up, eat supper, go to bed early. If that night is any indication I guess I can expect the next month to be an emotional roller coaster.
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Our Wednesday night paddle was a good workout. We had a full boat, a nice change for a Wednesday night. We sat Minnie, Ernie, Nancy, me, Dave, and Neil steering. Nearly 15 minutes into the workout Alan cruised up alongside in his spiffy new OC1 and gave us some coaching tips. I love being coached, I want to improve and being left to my own devices so much of the time I'm not sure whether I'm developing bad habits that need to be broken.
On the left side I was feeling really good, smooth, rotating properly, entering and exiting the water nicely. On the right side, not so much. My timing was good, it just didn't feel as good on the right, it didn't have the same flow as the left side. I was having to think about it more. I think that was my problem. I need to work the right side to the point where it just happens, without having to think about it. Alan was saying with outrigger it's 90% mental and the other half is physical. I think I've got some work to do...
We went over to Kirkland as we did last week and then south towards the 520 bridge. It was down near the bridge just as we were beginning to turn back towards home that I was hit with the realization that it was this time last year that I last saw my mother alive, was really able to interact with her. It was really hard to keep paddling, I was barely able to keep count and call the changes while the tears streamed down my face and the ache of grief clenched my heart. I did keep paddling and with only one exception was able to keep calling the changes. That one time Ed, sitting directly in front of me, was the only one who heard me and he called the change again so the others would hear it. A while later, perhaps 5 minutes or so, the wind we created by paddling so hard had dried my tears and my grief powered down some for the time being.
We finished our paddle, got the boat put away and I felt as though I'd gone much further than our 9.1 miles. It was definitely time to go home, shower up, eat supper, go to bed early. If that night is any indication I guess I can expect the next month to be an emotional roller coaster.
-------
Our Wednesday night paddle was a good workout. We had a full boat, a nice change for a Wednesday night. We sat Minnie, Ernie, Nancy, me, Dave, and Neil steering. Nearly 15 minutes into the workout Alan cruised up alongside in his spiffy new OC1 and gave us some coaching tips. I love being coached, I want to improve and being left to my own devices so much of the time I'm not sure whether I'm developing bad habits that need to be broken.
On the left side I was feeling really good, smooth, rotating properly, entering and exiting the water nicely. On the right side, not so much. My timing was good, it just didn't feel as good on the right, it didn't have the same flow as the left side. I was having to think about it more. I think that was my problem. I need to work the right side to the point where it just happens, without having to think about it. Alan was saying with outrigger it's 90% mental and the other half is physical. I think I've got some work to do...
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Probiotics
You may remember that I have been in hard fought battle with a sinus infection, two weeks on one type of antibiotic and overlapping three weeks on another. Being on such doses of antibiotics will generally behave in an unfriendly manner towards the friendly flora that inhabits one's gastrointestinal system. My gut flora gave it a good fight but as of Sunday the very last one was dead, dead, dead. And it was making me rather unhappy. Monday after work I went to Whole Foods to stock up on some new probiotics, acidophilus and that type of thing. Probiotic is a general term encompassing all those helpful bacteria. You can get them from any number of sources, yogurt, kefir, kombucha, saurkraut, miso paste, pretty much any naturally fermented foods that have not had their helpful bacteria strained off. Dannon has jumped on the bandwagon with their Activia yogurt; I prefer the less processed probiotics, though. I got two types in capsule form, four bottles of kefir, a quart and eight cups of yogurt, they even have little probiotic candy bars called attune (got three of those, too). As I was walking to the check out area of the store I happened past the beer cooler. I saw a clerk and asked if, by any chance, beer could be considered a probiotic? She smiled and said, I wish!
My wallet considerably lighter, I was shopping at Whole Paycheck after all, and I was on my way. I broke into a attune bar during the drive home (pretty tasty), had a couple capsules, a yogurt cup and glass of kefir once I got home and again after supper. I was wondering if you could OD on probiotics. I thought probably not, but really had nothing to base this determination on. Woke up this morning feeling considerably better. I believe I have reinstalled a complete battle force of probiotics over the last 18 hours. Which is a good thing since I still have another week or so of antibiotics left.
Some of the probiotics I listed above sound kind of nasty. Truly some are an acquired taste. Kombucha, for example, is not unlike drinking apple cider vinegar, only not as tasty. Kefir has the consistency of liquid yogurt and comes in all sorts of yummy flavors, peach is my favorite. Saurkraut? what goes better on a hot dog! And I've had some very tasty miso soups. One time I wanted to make a cheese sandwich but had no mayo, I used a very thin layer of miso paste, it was the best sandwich I've ever made, the miso gave it some zip. You can find most of these things at places like Trader Joe's and your regular supermarket, too, not just Whole Foods. Be good to your gut, give it some probiotics.
My wallet considerably lighter, I was shopping at Whole Paycheck after all, and I was on my way. I broke into a attune bar during the drive home (pretty tasty), had a couple capsules, a yogurt cup and glass of kefir once I got home and again after supper. I was wondering if you could OD on probiotics. I thought probably not, but really had nothing to base this determination on. Woke up this morning feeling considerably better. I believe I have reinstalled a complete battle force of probiotics over the last 18 hours. Which is a good thing since I still have another week or so of antibiotics left.
Some of the probiotics I listed above sound kind of nasty. Truly some are an acquired taste. Kombucha, for example, is not unlike drinking apple cider vinegar, only not as tasty. Kefir has the consistency of liquid yogurt and comes in all sorts of yummy flavors, peach is my favorite. Saurkraut? what goes better on a hot dog! And I've had some very tasty miso soups. One time I wanted to make a cheese sandwich but had no mayo, I used a very thin layer of miso paste, it was the best sandwich I've ever made, the miso gave it some zip. You can find most of these things at places like Trader Joe's and your regular supermarket, too, not just Whole Foods. Be good to your gut, give it some probiotics.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
A Lazy Sunday
I picked up the B boyz yesterday afternoon and brought them back to my place. Thanks John for taking them Tuesday night through Saturday afternoon. Especially with the prolotherapy on Wednesday, it was an even bigger help that he took them. So, we had a very quiet night. There was a puffed pig ear on the floor. I prefer to give them puffed pig ears to the fried ones, they are lower in fat and enormous, keeps them busy for a longer time. Benjamin found the pig ear on the floor and settled in for a good chew, got up for a drink and Llelo swooped in a stole it. He wasn't interested until Benjamin wanted it. Llelo abandoned his prize shortly afterwards and it was taken up by Bogey. Kept him busy most of the evening, too. Llelo cruised around hoping to get it a few times, again someone else had it, it must be more interesting. Off to bed for a good hard sleep, a good bit of exercise will do that.
Up in the morning at 8 am with Benjamin's tail thump, thump, thumping against the side of the bed and the wall, his subtle manner of requesting a potty trip. Ok, up and out we go. Back in, start the coffee, fix the dogs breakfast, into the bathroom to feed the B boyz. Noticed Benjamin was leaking again, cleaned up after he was finished and made another emptying trip outside. Then I settled in on the couch to contemplate the day. The synapses were firing very, very slowly. Best fix another cup of coffee and watch that remaining episode of Deadwood so I can return the Netflix. If you haven't seen Deadwood, I recommend it, the language is a bit, erm, coarse, but if you can get beyond that the level of discourse is impressive and the level of detail is amazing. I'm about halfway through season 3, the final season. I'll be sad when it's over. Rome is another good series, similar but takes place in ancient Rome, also by HBO.
Around 2 or perhaps closer to 2:30 I decided to pry myself off the couch and take a shower. I had a couple of things to do, I dropped Benjamin and Bogey back at their house, Marth is coming home tonight. I'm sure she will be very happy to see her boys again. And I wanted to buy an new pair of Crocs, unsuccessful; I needed to pick up a couple of meals prepared for me at Dinner's Ready, successful. Spent the evening watching part of a Chris Rock HBO special on Comedy Central. It's been a quality day any way you look at it.
Up in the morning at 8 am with Benjamin's tail thump, thump, thumping against the side of the bed and the wall, his subtle manner of requesting a potty trip. Ok, up and out we go. Back in, start the coffee, fix the dogs breakfast, into the bathroom to feed the B boyz. Noticed Benjamin was leaking again, cleaned up after he was finished and made another emptying trip outside. Then I settled in on the couch to contemplate the day. The synapses were firing very, very slowly. Best fix another cup of coffee and watch that remaining episode of Deadwood so I can return the Netflix. If you haven't seen Deadwood, I recommend it, the language is a bit, erm, coarse, but if you can get beyond that the level of discourse is impressive and the level of detail is amazing. I'm about halfway through season 3, the final season. I'll be sad when it's over. Rome is another good series, similar but takes place in ancient Rome, also by HBO.
Around 2 or perhaps closer to 2:30 I decided to pry myself off the couch and take a shower. I had a couple of things to do, I dropped Benjamin and Bogey back at their house, Marth is coming home tonight. I'm sure she will be very happy to see her boys again. And I wanted to buy an new pair of Crocs, unsuccessful; I needed to pick up a couple of meals prepared for me at Dinner's Ready, successful. Spent the evening watching part of a Chris Rock HBO special on Comedy Central. It's been a quality day any way you look at it.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
I Kicked Ass Today
I had intended to hit the sack early last night, get a good night's rest before the race. Some idiot pulled a fire alarm at 10:30 pm, moments before I was to bed. Sigh. The shrill, piercing alarm was just special. Thankfully, the fire department has a pretty darn good response time, makes me feel better should we ever actually have a fire or some such. Unfortunately, it took them over an hour to get the alarm turned off. Oh well, the race was in Tacoma, so I could sleep a bit later than usual.
Got down to SSP to load the boats at 7:30 am, Diane was to arrive at 7:45 to help and the plan was to be on the road by 8:15. The tricky part was loading the OC2 on, not so much the boat, but the ama (the outrigger part). The OC1 ama fits inside the car and since we couldn't get both amas tied down properly on top we put that one inside. Finally got the OC2 ama tied down and off we went ... to Top Pot Doughnuts. Leaving this late they were open and we could grab a blueberry glazed and coffee for the road. It's 8:45 and we are onto the highway. We were five minutes from the race site when Ed called to give me a hard time for not being there yet. I am notorious for being overcautiously early, ya well, not today. We even missed the pre-race meeting. Didn't feel so bad about that since I've raced this course before.
Got rigged up and on the water and was thinking about my discussion with Doug during the ride home from the last race. He said I needed to sprint off the start for as long as I could before settling into my race pace, that way the pack wouldn't drop me so completely as they had during the last race. I got lined up with everyone else and when the go was sounded hit it as hard as I could for as long as I could. I could see Stan out of the corner of my eye, slightly behind me, gotta stay in front of him, must stay in front of Stan! I just tried to stretch it out and pull hard, my technique was feeling much better, too. On my way to the first turn I passed one or was it two other competitors! Made it to the first turn (it was a two lap course) and headed back towards the start. I could see Darcy a little bit ahead of me, my main competition in the master women's category. I dug in even deeper and tried to close the gap between us. I did creep closer to her and at the turn to finish the first lap I was right on her tail, called out "I'm doggin' you Darcy!" Then I lost a little distance following the turn, maybe 30-40 feet or so. I had to stop watching her, so I just focused on the next bouy turn and hit the zone. Reach, twist, dig, pull, and again. Next thing I know I'm even with her! I kept at it, she made some comment about someone having eaten their Wheaties today, I laugh and then left her behind me! It was so awesome! I couldn't let her catch me again, I just couldn't. I stayed focused and aimed to pass the next guy in front of me. I made it to the last turn, struggling to put more distance between me and Darcy, digging deep and hard, really pushing myself. I came very close to catching the guy in front of me. In the end he was able to stay ahead of me, though. I could hear people cheering me from the cliff, calling my name, then the horn sounded and I could stop. There was a guy behind me and then came Darcy. I did it, I beat her by shear strength!
There were more people behind me in this race than any other so far. That was a huge confidence boost, too. One person behind me is good, many is better. A few minutes later along come Diane and Minnie on the OC2. They were pushing hard to the finish, I hear Diane call the change and then switch sides only Minnie didn't switch sides. Sploosh! Over they went a mere 20 feet from the finish line, the collective gasp could be heard on the shore. A few guys paddled over to help collect paddles and make sure they got over and back up ok and finally made it across the finish line. A wonderful thing about outrigger is the ohana or sense of family, gotta make sure everyone is safe and ok, then worry about the racing. They were both plenty warmed up from the paddling, but the water was quite bracing. Time to head in and get dry.
So, today's finish gave me my third 2nd place finish. Darcy has a 1st and two 3rds. If I can keep her in 3rds and me in 2nds I will be very happy. The next race is March 8 in Vancouver, BC, then March 29 in Portland, and the last race will be April 12 in Lake Washington. I just plan to keep on doing what I'm doing, paddle hard and take names! Maybe pick Doug's brain a little more.
Got down to SSP to load the boats at 7:30 am, Diane was to arrive at 7:45 to help and the plan was to be on the road by 8:15. The tricky part was loading the OC2 on, not so much the boat, but the ama (the outrigger part). The OC1 ama fits inside the car and since we couldn't get both amas tied down properly on top we put that one inside. Finally got the OC2 ama tied down and off we went ... to Top Pot Doughnuts. Leaving this late they were open and we could grab a blueberry glazed and coffee for the road. It's 8:45 and we are onto the highway. We were five minutes from the race site when Ed called to give me a hard time for not being there yet. I am notorious for being overcautiously early, ya well, not today. We even missed the pre-race meeting. Didn't feel so bad about that since I've raced this course before.
Got rigged up and on the water and was thinking about my discussion with Doug during the ride home from the last race. He said I needed to sprint off the start for as long as I could before settling into my race pace, that way the pack wouldn't drop me so completely as they had during the last race. I got lined up with everyone else and when the go was sounded hit it as hard as I could for as long as I could. I could see Stan out of the corner of my eye, slightly behind me, gotta stay in front of him, must stay in front of Stan! I just tried to stretch it out and pull hard, my technique was feeling much better, too. On my way to the first turn I passed one or was it two other competitors! Made it to the first turn (it was a two lap course) and headed back towards the start. I could see Darcy a little bit ahead of me, my main competition in the master women's category. I dug in even deeper and tried to close the gap between us. I did creep closer to her and at the turn to finish the first lap I was right on her tail, called out "I'm doggin' you Darcy!" Then I lost a little distance following the turn, maybe 30-40 feet or so. I had to stop watching her, so I just focused on the next bouy turn and hit the zone. Reach, twist, dig, pull, and again. Next thing I know I'm even with her! I kept at it, she made some comment about someone having eaten their Wheaties today, I laugh and then left her behind me! It was so awesome! I couldn't let her catch me again, I just couldn't. I stayed focused and aimed to pass the next guy in front of me. I made it to the last turn, struggling to put more distance between me and Darcy, digging deep and hard, really pushing myself. I came very close to catching the guy in front of me. In the end he was able to stay ahead of me, though. I could hear people cheering me from the cliff, calling my name, then the horn sounded and I could stop. There was a guy behind me and then came Darcy. I did it, I beat her by shear strength!
There were more people behind me in this race than any other so far. That was a huge confidence boost, too. One person behind me is good, many is better. A few minutes later along come Diane and Minnie on the OC2. They were pushing hard to the finish, I hear Diane call the change and then switch sides only Minnie didn't switch sides. Sploosh! Over they went a mere 20 feet from the finish line, the collective gasp could be heard on the shore. A few guys paddled over to help collect paddles and make sure they got over and back up ok and finally made it across the finish line. A wonderful thing about outrigger is the ohana or sense of family, gotta make sure everyone is safe and ok, then worry about the racing. They were both plenty warmed up from the paddling, but the water was quite bracing. Time to head in and get dry.
So, today's finish gave me my third 2nd place finish. Darcy has a 1st and two 3rds. If I can keep her in 3rds and me in 2nds I will be very happy. The next race is March 8 in Vancouver, BC, then March 29 in Portland, and the last race will be April 12 in Lake Washington. I just plan to keep on doing what I'm doing, paddle hard and take names! Maybe pick Doug's brain a little more.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Cautiously Optimistic
The foot was a bit achy last night, pretty much only when walking or standing, though. And this morning I was able to take the boys out with no limping! It is feeling better. I ran a couple of errands this morning, another round of allergy shots (no reaction this time!) and then to REI to get some new gloves for paddling; having my index finger poke out is proving to be more distracting than the cost of a new pair. While walking around REI foot was reminding me that while it may be feeling better, it's not back to 100% and I should just cool my jets! I think I'll spend the afternoon working, as I intended anyway, and daydream about a bright sunny day for the race down in Tacoma Saturday. How nice to have a race were I don't need to leave town at 6:30 to get there. Planning to leave nearer to 8 am.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
More Foot Torture
Saw Dr. Irving Wednesday afternoon for my prolotherapy appointment. We discussed a variety of treatments, the prolotherapy, which is a sugar and numbing solution injected into the site of pain, to put the body into a healing mode. Another is injecting botox, or platelets from my own whole blood, and finally my own whole blood. The doctor was not able to find any real research discussing any of these methods, only anecdotal evidence.
Since the botox and blood/blood products methods were going to be far more costly I opted to go for the prolotherapy injection. I don't like watching needles piercing my skin so I cannot tell you how many jabs I got. I do know that he injected both a mixture of dextrose and numbing solution and numbing solution alone. I did a lot of deep breathing and clenching of my hands. At one point he 'tickled' the tendon in my heal with the needle and my leg gave a couple of involuntary shudders, I managed to keep from kicking the doctor in the face or hands, thankfully. He was quite impressed with how I managed the pain, all that quality time on Carmen's table having my feet massaged, I guess I've built up a reasonable tolerance to pain. I guess if I know it's for the greater good I will tolerate it.
When he'd finished it felt like I had a giant water blister on the bottom of my heal. Not so much painful as just feeling weird. The numbing seemed to be working. Last night I had a couple of waves of "oh gawd, that aches". I was told to come back in 2-3 weeks to see how well it did or didn't work. If it seemed to work but there's more to be done we can do another injection, if it didn't seem to do anything we'll try the botox. If it worked and I don't need any more work on the right foot, I'll do it to the left foot. My 2-3 week appointment will be on April 9, I know, more than 3 weeks, he's going out of town until then.
Today went pretty ok. I'm walking with a pronounced limp and my foot aches some. It's a different type of pain than the usual, I'd like to think that's a good sign. I went for another Carmen massage this afternoon and she said I wasn't nearly as bad off as she was expecting. That's got to be good, too, right?
Since the botox and blood/blood products methods were going to be far more costly I opted to go for the prolotherapy injection. I don't like watching needles piercing my skin so I cannot tell you how many jabs I got. I do know that he injected both a mixture of dextrose and numbing solution and numbing solution alone. I did a lot of deep breathing and clenching of my hands. At one point he 'tickled' the tendon in my heal with the needle and my leg gave a couple of involuntary shudders, I managed to keep from kicking the doctor in the face or hands, thankfully. He was quite impressed with how I managed the pain, all that quality time on Carmen's table having my feet massaged, I guess I've built up a reasonable tolerance to pain. I guess if I know it's for the greater good I will tolerate it.
When he'd finished it felt like I had a giant water blister on the bottom of my heal. Not so much painful as just feeling weird. The numbing seemed to be working. Last night I had a couple of waves of "oh gawd, that aches". I was told to come back in 2-3 weeks to see how well it did or didn't work. If it seemed to work but there's more to be done we can do another injection, if it didn't seem to do anything we'll try the botox. If it worked and I don't need any more work on the right foot, I'll do it to the left foot. My 2-3 week appointment will be on April 9, I know, more than 3 weeks, he's going out of town until then.
Today went pretty ok. I'm walking with a pronounced limp and my foot aches some. It's a different type of pain than the usual, I'd like to think that's a good sign. I went for another Carmen massage this afternoon and she said I wasn't nearly as bad off as she was expecting. That's got to be good, too, right?
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