I used to think that it was just always cold in Massachusetts, but thats not 100% true. Really, the weather is kind of weird. For a few days, it got really fall-appropriately cold, like you would expect from October in Massachusetts. But then it keeps getting warm, and cold, and warm again, and it's really emotionally taxing because I just cant decide how to feel, or how to dress, really. Today is really cold and rainy and windy, and you better believe I ran in a downpour this morning to "beat the rain" that just happened to go away this afternoon. Sunday and yesterday were both very nice, which is good because I had 16 miles this weekend. It was so nice in fact that I wore a skirt and was almost convinced it was spring. To top off the perfection, I was walking to the library when a chipmunk (and I think they are much cuter than squirrels) ran out from under a bush and stopped right at my feet and looked up at me-he didn't even run away! And right after I said hello to him, a LADY BUG landed on me. THEN a light breeze blew through my hair and birds sang. It sounds just like a scene from Enchanted, and I swear its all true! At this rate, I'm hoping to be fully Disney Princess just in time for the marathon.
Speaking of all that, Halloween is this Friday. I'm really excited about it, but it's hard to decide exactly how to celebrate it. I mean, eating candy is an obvious necessity, but its hard to figure out my role in this holiday since I'm too old to trick-or-treat and I don't have a kid to take. I don't even have a class to throw a party for. So I guess I just hand out candy, but do I dress up? Because I really want to, but how many adults dress up in costumes to stay home and hand out candy? And where can I wear a costume anyways, besides a bar where I won't be the only female not in lingerie? I really need to make friends that have Halloween parties. Its the only way to bring more Halloween into my life.
And while we are on Holidays, I started listening to Christmas music last week. Not that I'm the type to skip over holidays to get to Christmas in a hurry, but I just like it. And really, if Christmas is so important and sacred because it focuses on Jesus' birth, then shouldn't that be reflected upon for more than just the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas? I think so.
And one last random thought that popped into my mind while I was listening to a Christmas song by Clay Aiken- I know he came out a while ago, but was it really necessary for him to declare that he is gay? Wasn't it obvious, or did I just jump to that conclusion and end up right by chance?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
day 28- and hanson
Today did not include any running. But it did include one of the most ridiculous 16-hour periods of my life, and thats because I went to a Hanson concert today.
A little background: when I was 12, I was obsessed with Hanson. Like, buy ever tigerbeat, plaster my walls in posters that I kissed goodnight daily, recorded and still have every t.v. appearance ever obsessed. And then as Mmmbop died out, so did my over the top love. Little did I know that a flicker of that flame remained, to be rekindled by my best friend and music mentor Kathryn Waller, during my second year of college when I found out they were still making music, and phenomenal music at that. So from that point on, I considered myself a fan. Fast-forward a few years, and a girl named Katie from Massachusetts comes back from a year in Japan and prays that God would give her a new friend because her old ones have changed. And as icing on the cake, God, a friend who likes Hanson would be nice. Enter: me. I mean, what are the chances of two Hanson lovers meeting at a not-Hanson-based event? Slim to none, really. So we plan on going to the concert on October 19th.
Well. I thought I was a fan until I met Katie, with her daily hanson.net updates, and her having every c.d. ever made (Japanese AND American versions, because each has 2 unique songs). Then I still thought I was just a fan on a lesser scale, until today. I am not a true Hanson fan. I like, even love their music, but a fan? Ha. Not a chance. Because Hanson fans don't have normal jobs because they have to be able to take days at a time off in the middle of the week to see a show 3 states away. And they don't have lives of their own, because they are so busy following the lives of the Hanson brothers via blogs, fan sites, and other stalking-enabling media that who would have time anyway? And REAL fans don't even play cards with normal playing cards, because they have ones with caricatures of the brothers and somebody named "puff broccoli" as the joker, and it doesn't matter if they cost $15 dollars a pack because the cards enable them to play games with other real fans and have inside jokes and fight over who Taylor really belongs to. Oh. My. Goodness.
So here is how the day went: I thought I was going to get to the show at like, 5, because doors opened at 6 and the show started at 7. Too bad I was 12 hours late on that estimate. Katie said we should get there by 8 to line up because the venue was standing room only, first come first serve, and as long as we were there early, the fans have a whole number system they all honor. So I showed up about 8:30 and Katie was running late, and there were several cars parked out front, but no line. So I knocked on the window of one of the cars, and the girl very matter-of-factly told me that someone had screwed everyone over by calling the venue management, who said we couldnt sleep outside (how dare they) or even line up before 10, and then it was a mad dash. Fine. I can do mad dashes. So Katie and I mad-dashed at 10 am, and we were numbers 10 and 11 in line, and that was fine with me. So then the sitting outside began, and it was FREEZING and windy and almost miserable. But I got myself some Dunkin hot chocolate, and wrapped up in a blanket, and parked it right in front of a cute security guard who thought we were nuts. But I'm not nuts. Not in a million years compared to REAL Hanson fans.
Katie and I were sandwiched in line between a few interesting characters. In front of us, Kimono girl, named such because she wore a Kimono (well, it was short, so like a half-Kimono) that was handmade and had the words "Take The Walk" (explained later) and other Hanson references painted onto it. This was paired with a pair of khaki cargos, and I later found out that this was not her sole Kimono, but that she hand-makes them to hopefully sell one day, but specially embellishes them for Hanson concerts. Oh my. So I didn't just conclude that she was crazy based on her outfit, but that should give you a clue into some of the behaviors she displayed throughout the day, including getting "really angry, because she just wants to have a decent conversation with Zac Hanson but at every concert, everyone always crowds around and hogs them and wants pictures." Duh.
Behind Katie and I were a couple of gems who had just befriended each other during the previous night's Hanson concert. The two women met online on the Hanson MySpace page that one of them keeps up semi-professionally, as she had offered her home to anyone who was coming in for the concert either night. Now, both were either married or engaged, both had 2 younger children, and both were over the age of 26. And yet, both spent 2 days camped out to attend Hanson shows, passing the time by talking about how they just wanted a picture with Taylor to complete the trio and their lives, and about how their significant others hated Hanson but screw them, and playing the card games in the afformentioned manner. Not only that, but they discussed how they didn't have money for food for the day, or to buy groceries for their kids, but they have gone to every Hanson show (at $40 each) within a 200 mile radius for who knows how many years, and last night they spent $80 on t-shirts and books that they didn't have but desperately wanted. What?!
So at 2 O'Clock, Hanson came out to do this thing they do at every concert, called The Walk, which is also the title of their cd. They have several charities going in Africa (I'm not sure which part), including digging wells, donating shoes, schools and cell phones, and donating to aids research, so that is the theme of the tour. So they come out and have all the fans walk a mile barefoot and then for every participant, they donate a dollar of their own money to one of their charities that the participant selects, and its all fine and dandy. I think its a great idea and raises awareness. The real fans also like it because its a chance to walk and talk with the guys, and by walk and talk with, I mean herd around and try to convince them to take pictures with them. At the end of the walk, I heard an exchange between Zac and a girl, and it went like this:
Girl: Zac! Take a picture with me!
Zac: Have you registered that you finished the walk yet?
Girl: No
Z: I'm only doing pictures with people who have done that first.
G: Well I am not doing it until I get a picture.
Z: You're a cold hearted person (Good for him!)
G: (blah blah blah something I didnt hear...)
So moments later the girl turns to her friends and says "did you hear that? I just got in a fight with Zac Hanson! I can't believe he called me cold-hearted. We arent on speaking terms anymore." Oh. Ok. Well I'm sure he will delete you from his speed dial then, since you aren't on speaking terms any longer. And the day was filled with people talking about the Hanson brothers as if they were close and personal friends. Ex: "Oh, Taylor would LOVE the jacket that that guy has on over there." "They won't sing 'I Will Come To You' tonight, you know thats a very personal song for them and they don't sing it publicly." And my personal favorite, "Zac is in a MUCH better mood today than he was yesterday. You know, he and his wife were fighting."
I know I sound critical, and Im not being mean. I'm just saying, these people are over the top. I saw multiple people crying today because they got a picture with one of them. Or a song they sang touched them deeply (mmmbop? really?). Or because Taylor didn't say "Thank you" when a girl returned something he dropped on the walk, which officially made him a 'dick head', but she loved him anyways. A girl reported that the other night, when they did a cover of a Police song, she would have cried, but she had an orgasm, induced by Taylors angelic voice, instead. Um...ok.
Now, not all Hanson fans are like this, but the REAL ones (obviously not me, and Katie is on the outskirts due to her normallcy) have their own subculture, which includes having fan organizers, a pre-organized list of the line-order for fans who are camping out but might get kicked out, and memorization of the entire lives of each Hanson family member, including wives and new children. And knowing every word to every song Hanson has EVER sung, including covers and even unreleased singles. And wearing a lot of merchandise, which has to include something bought, but can also include something homemade, like a purse or t-shirt or kimono. Also, they all know each other and are familiar with their concert habits, because the girl beside me at the show informed me that the spot I was in was good, because the pushers were on the other side of the stage, and there was just one kinda nutso fan named carly who would stand next to us in front of the piano like she always does, but she behaved last night. It's just bizarre.
The great news is that the concert was really good, and I enjoyed it immensely and my efforts to wake up early and sit in the cold for hours and hours paid off, because we were in the very front row, and I was right in front of Taylor. The music was good, and (I know they are married, but...)they are all quite attractive now. Even Isaac, who I wrote off as hopelessly unfortunate looking 10 years back. Zac looks a lot like Johnny Depp. Taylor makes good eye contact while singing, and I almost peed my pants a few times because his gaze met mine and was intense. (Note: this is NOT my claim that he paid any special attention to me. That would be crazy.) The amount of emphasis they put on the need of Africans (despite the generality of it) and the big impact of our little actions was great. And again, the music is just really quality. Give it a chance, I promise you won't be disapointed. I will put some pictures up in a little bit.
The only drawback to the night, besides losing a days worth of sleep and productivity? I missed game 7 of the ALCS, and therefore was not wearing my Red Sox hat, and that's why they lost tonight. Seriously, the only lose when I don't wear my hat. So I am sorry Red Sox Nation, I really am. And when the loss settles in, I will shed a little tear.
A little background: when I was 12, I was obsessed with Hanson. Like, buy ever tigerbeat, plaster my walls in posters that I kissed goodnight daily, recorded and still have every t.v. appearance ever obsessed. And then as Mmmbop died out, so did my over the top love. Little did I know that a flicker of that flame remained, to be rekindled by my best friend and music mentor Kathryn Waller, during my second year of college when I found out they were still making music, and phenomenal music at that. So from that point on, I considered myself a fan. Fast-forward a few years, and a girl named Katie from Massachusetts comes back from a year in Japan and prays that God would give her a new friend because her old ones have changed. And as icing on the cake, God, a friend who likes Hanson would be nice. Enter: me. I mean, what are the chances of two Hanson lovers meeting at a not-Hanson-based event? Slim to none, really. So we plan on going to the concert on October 19th.
Well. I thought I was a fan until I met Katie, with her daily hanson.net updates, and her having every c.d. ever made (Japanese AND American versions, because each has 2 unique songs). Then I still thought I was just a fan on a lesser scale, until today. I am not a true Hanson fan. I like, even love their music, but a fan? Ha. Not a chance. Because Hanson fans don't have normal jobs because they have to be able to take days at a time off in the middle of the week to see a show 3 states away. And they don't have lives of their own, because they are so busy following the lives of the Hanson brothers via blogs, fan sites, and other stalking-enabling media that who would have time anyway? And REAL fans don't even play cards with normal playing cards, because they have ones with caricatures of the brothers and somebody named "puff broccoli" as the joker, and it doesn't matter if they cost $15 dollars a pack because the cards enable them to play games with other real fans and have inside jokes and fight over who Taylor really belongs to. Oh. My. Goodness.
So here is how the day went: I thought I was going to get to the show at like, 5, because doors opened at 6 and the show started at 7. Too bad I was 12 hours late on that estimate. Katie said we should get there by 8 to line up because the venue was standing room only, first come first serve, and as long as we were there early, the fans have a whole number system they all honor. So I showed up about 8:30 and Katie was running late, and there were several cars parked out front, but no line. So I knocked on the window of one of the cars, and the girl very matter-of-factly told me that someone had screwed everyone over by calling the venue management, who said we couldnt sleep outside (how dare they) or even line up before 10, and then it was a mad dash. Fine. I can do mad dashes. So Katie and I mad-dashed at 10 am, and we were numbers 10 and 11 in line, and that was fine with me. So then the sitting outside began, and it was FREEZING and windy and almost miserable. But I got myself some Dunkin hot chocolate, and wrapped up in a blanket, and parked it right in front of a cute security guard who thought we were nuts. But I'm not nuts. Not in a million years compared to REAL Hanson fans.
Katie and I were sandwiched in line between a few interesting characters. In front of us, Kimono girl, named such because she wore a Kimono (well, it was short, so like a half-Kimono) that was handmade and had the words "Take The Walk" (explained later) and other Hanson references painted onto it. This was paired with a pair of khaki cargos, and I later found out that this was not her sole Kimono, but that she hand-makes them to hopefully sell one day, but specially embellishes them for Hanson concerts. Oh my. So I didn't just conclude that she was crazy based on her outfit, but that should give you a clue into some of the behaviors she displayed throughout the day, including getting "really angry, because she just wants to have a decent conversation with Zac Hanson but at every concert, everyone always crowds around and hogs them and wants pictures." Duh.
Behind Katie and I were a couple of gems who had just befriended each other during the previous night's Hanson concert. The two women met online on the Hanson MySpace page that one of them keeps up semi-professionally, as she had offered her home to anyone who was coming in for the concert either night. Now, both were either married or engaged, both had 2 younger children, and both were over the age of 26. And yet, both spent 2 days camped out to attend Hanson shows, passing the time by talking about how they just wanted a picture with Taylor to complete the trio and their lives, and about how their significant others hated Hanson but screw them, and playing the card games in the afformentioned manner. Not only that, but they discussed how they didn't have money for food for the day, or to buy groceries for their kids, but they have gone to every Hanson show (at $40 each) within a 200 mile radius for who knows how many years, and last night they spent $80 on t-shirts and books that they didn't have but desperately wanted. What?!
So at 2 O'Clock, Hanson came out to do this thing they do at every concert, called The Walk, which is also the title of their cd. They have several charities going in Africa (I'm not sure which part), including digging wells, donating shoes, schools and cell phones, and donating to aids research, so that is the theme of the tour. So they come out and have all the fans walk a mile barefoot and then for every participant, they donate a dollar of their own money to one of their charities that the participant selects, and its all fine and dandy. I think its a great idea and raises awareness. The real fans also like it because its a chance to walk and talk with the guys, and by walk and talk with, I mean herd around and try to convince them to take pictures with them. At the end of the walk, I heard an exchange between Zac and a girl, and it went like this:
Girl: Zac! Take a picture with me!
Zac: Have you registered that you finished the walk yet?
Girl: No
Z: I'm only doing pictures with people who have done that first.
G: Well I am not doing it until I get a picture.
Z: You're a cold hearted person (Good for him!)
G: (blah blah blah something I didnt hear...)
So moments later the girl turns to her friends and says "did you hear that? I just got in a fight with Zac Hanson! I can't believe he called me cold-hearted. We arent on speaking terms anymore." Oh. Ok. Well I'm sure he will delete you from his speed dial then, since you aren't on speaking terms any longer. And the day was filled with people talking about the Hanson brothers as if they were close and personal friends. Ex: "Oh, Taylor would LOVE the jacket that that guy has on over there." "They won't sing 'I Will Come To You' tonight, you know thats a very personal song for them and they don't sing it publicly." And my personal favorite, "Zac is in a MUCH better mood today than he was yesterday. You know, he and his wife were fighting."
I know I sound critical, and Im not being mean. I'm just saying, these people are over the top. I saw multiple people crying today because they got a picture with one of them. Or a song they sang touched them deeply (mmmbop? really?). Or because Taylor didn't say "Thank you" when a girl returned something he dropped on the walk, which officially made him a 'dick head', but she loved him anyways. A girl reported that the other night, when they did a cover of a Police song, she would have cried, but she had an orgasm, induced by Taylors angelic voice, instead. Um...ok.
Now, not all Hanson fans are like this, but the REAL ones (obviously not me, and Katie is on the outskirts due to her normallcy) have their own subculture, which includes having fan organizers, a pre-organized list of the line-order for fans who are camping out but might get kicked out, and memorization of the entire lives of each Hanson family member, including wives and new children. And knowing every word to every song Hanson has EVER sung, including covers and even unreleased singles. And wearing a lot of merchandise, which has to include something bought, but can also include something homemade, like a purse or t-shirt or kimono. Also, they all know each other and are familiar with their concert habits, because the girl beside me at the show informed me that the spot I was in was good, because the pushers were on the other side of the stage, and there was just one kinda nutso fan named carly who would stand next to us in front of the piano like she always does, but she behaved last night. It's just bizarre.
The great news is that the concert was really good, and I enjoyed it immensely and my efforts to wake up early and sit in the cold for hours and hours paid off, because we were in the very front row, and I was right in front of Taylor. The music was good, and (I know they are married, but...)they are all quite attractive now. Even Isaac, who I wrote off as hopelessly unfortunate looking 10 years back. Zac looks a lot like Johnny Depp. Taylor makes good eye contact while singing, and I almost peed my pants a few times because his gaze met mine and was intense. (Note: this is NOT my claim that he paid any special attention to me. That would be crazy.) The amount of emphasis they put on the need of Africans (despite the generality of it) and the big impact of our little actions was great. And again, the music is just really quality. Give it a chance, I promise you won't be disapointed. I will put some pictures up in a little bit.
The only drawback to the night, besides losing a days worth of sleep and productivity? I missed game 7 of the ALCS, and therefore was not wearing my Red Sox hat, and that's why they lost tonight. Seriously, the only lose when I don't wear my hat. So I am sorry Red Sox Nation, I really am. And when the loss settles in, I will shed a little tear.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
day 24
I skipped running today. I am sick. I went from a drippy nose to full-on mucusy gross overnight. Which is kind of funny because my friend Matt who is also running the marathon in January adopted me as his coach, and when he got sick I told him to run through it, which he didnt. And now look at me. I almost can't believe it, because I'm pretty sure skipping is just not something I do, and in college I would always wake up, knowing I was sick, but run first thing before my body was awake enough to realize what was going on. But lately I've been lacking my usual sleep (I mean, this holding down two part-time jobs thing is a pretty big deal) and I guess I'm just getting old. I just cant do the same things I did back during my crazy college years. Right.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Day 22
So I am a little bit off on my training schedule, and my long runs have been shoved from Saturdays to Sundays some weeks, and yesterday was one of those days. I did 14 miles yesterday, and despite the gorgeous weather and equally gorgeous running venue, it was one of 2 of the hardest I have had yet (the other hardest was surprisingly a 5 miler- more on that some other day). I ran in this park called DW Field park, and its got a few 2-3.5 mile loops around a few lakes. Around the last 2 mile loop, though, my legs would hardly move, and I was just..trudging. When I get tired, I usually shift my focus to different groups of muscles used to run. So I start off letting my thighs do the work, then when those are tired I focus on my calves, then my feet, then my arm momentum, butt for uphill, etc. Anyway, yesterday I ran out of muscle groups and had to turn to a different focus: slurpees. The path seemed to be extra long on that last loop, but I just kept thinking "one and a half miles till slurpee" and it worked!
But more excitingly, why is my schedule messed up sometimes? Because I started a job! Yesss! I am waitressing at a restaurant my godfather owns, and so far I LOVE it. I've always wanted to waitress but I never had the guts to branch away from kid-related jobs. Training lasted 3 days, and I am about to go fulfill my first shift all on my own. I would be scared, but the two biggest fiascos possible (dropping and breaking a plate, and breaking a coffee machine) already happened on my very first day, so what do I have to worry about? That, plus my dad AND my sister are coming in separately to visit, so I know at least 2 customers that wont get mad if I screw up their orders.
Anyway, along with this job and meeting new people here, I have been thinking a lot about they way I act around people. This is going to sound really bad at first, but usually when I look at a person, I subconsciously size them up and decide whether I am better than them or not. Trust me, it's not something I consciously do, it just happens. And then that determines if I am more reserved (if I feel like they are better than me) or not (vice versa) when I approach them. Its really bizarre, and I noticed and actively began thinking about it years ago, but I still haven't really come to any conclusions. I mean, what is the standard for "better" anyway? And what aspects of a person make me think what I do? Because consciously, I really try to believe that nobody is really better than anybody, because truthfully, value is relative. There are things that are opinions like prettier and funnier, and even calculable things like faster and smarter, but these aren't really an accurate measure for better. I'm pretty sure I'm not nearly the only person who does this. Just a thought I have been rolling around lately.
But more excitingly, why is my schedule messed up sometimes? Because I started a job! Yesss! I am waitressing at a restaurant my godfather owns, and so far I LOVE it. I've always wanted to waitress but I never had the guts to branch away from kid-related jobs. Training lasted 3 days, and I am about to go fulfill my first shift all on my own. I would be scared, but the two biggest fiascos possible (dropping and breaking a plate, and breaking a coffee machine) already happened on my very first day, so what do I have to worry about? That, plus my dad AND my sister are coming in separately to visit, so I know at least 2 customers that wont get mad if I screw up their orders.
Anyway, along with this job and meeting new people here, I have been thinking a lot about they way I act around people. This is going to sound really bad at first, but usually when I look at a person, I subconsciously size them up and decide whether I am better than them or not. Trust me, it's not something I consciously do, it just happens. And then that determines if I am more reserved (if I feel like they are better than me) or not (vice versa) when I approach them. Its really bizarre, and I noticed and actively began thinking about it years ago, but I still haven't really come to any conclusions. I mean, what is the standard for "better" anyway? And what aspects of a person make me think what I do? Because consciously, I really try to believe that nobody is really better than anybody, because truthfully, value is relative. There are things that are opinions like prettier and funnier, and even calculable things like faster and smarter, but these aren't really an accurate measure for better. I'm pretty sure I'm not nearly the only person who does this. Just a thought I have been rolling around lately.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Day 15- Dishonesty
I don't like dishonesty. I'm fed up with it. I just don't understand why people are not straightforward with each other, instead of trying to lie and cover things up only to have it turn out worse later on. There are two specific groups of people that I would like to address with regards to dishonesty, and if I were to ever write them letters, here is what they would say:
Dear Politicians,
Why do you lie so much? You represent America. You claim to be working for the American People and that you care, but I don't think you do. Most Americans have jobs to do, or families to take care of, or school to study for, or better things to do than spending everyday researching you and how you voted on a particular piece of legislation, or what you think about social security, or what warning you give about a particular crisis thats looming ahead. So when we hear you talk on the news, or in the newspaper, or in debates, we trust what you are saying to be somewhat factual. But its not, and so I wonder if you think that it is the responsibility of the American Citizen to go behind you and research the statements that you made to be sure that they are true? If that is so, then you can't really care. Either that, or you are vain and misinformed. I don't understand why you can't just answer a question and say what you REALLY mean. Instead, you try to talk around it or just blatantly lie about it, and then expect to just work everything out behind closed doors when you are elected. And then most of you blame the other party for the mistakes that come as a result of all this, and act surprised, and say you warned everyone. You are ridiculous. And why do you spend so much money then try to make it sound like you are doing all you can to save us money? How can you realize that there are a lot of people in this country (not even to mention other countries) that can't afford health and dental care, or that people can't afford to live in a house, and then use your government credit card to pay for your cruise. Or dinner for you and your closest business associates at a thousand dollars a plate. Or for your expensive hooker. If you could just spend one billion dollars less on your campaign than you normally do (people won't miss the bumper stickers, really) then you could make sure that there are enough teachers in every school, since they are the ones teaching the next generation of leaders that you care about, right?
I know, I am kind of naive, and I will be the first to admit that I don't know as much about politics as I could, should I invest a few hours in looking up programs and laws that I hear about in passing. But all I am asking for is a little honesty. During the debates, I would like for you to say what you really think and what you really know that you are going to do, instead of saying what you think I want to hear. Explain things. Be honest and let Americans know that there ARE problems, and that gain takes sacrifice, and that there are just some things you can't do because life isn't always peachy. Somewhere deep down, I think everyone knows it, so you should just face it too. In conclusion, please stop lying.
Sincerely,
Sydney Moulton
Dear U.S. Airways,
You are jerks. And sneaky jerks, at that. I had to cancel a flight to the Bahamas in May because I did not have my passport. I did not have my passport because YOUR website told me I only needed a birth certificate. I somehow listened through my sobs of disappointment when your employee told me that I would have a $300 credit to use on future flights. And now, you want to charge me $150 to use MY credit? WHAT?!? I know that I checked the box that acknowledged that this flight was non-refundable, but I don't even want my money back. I just want to be able to use that money to fly your airline. I would even pay the $15 charge to check a bag. And I might even buy a soda or two, since you don't give those away for free either. Or you could have taught the woman at the ticket counter to tell customers that they should expect a ridiculously unfair charge when they try to use the credit, because at least I could brace myself for that. But no. You didn't, and you don't care about your customers either, and no, I WONT fly with you like your slogan tells me to. I'm flying Delta.
And they are giving me a free soda, too!
Love (but not really),
Sydney A. Moulton
In conclussion, I'm just really sick of dishonesty! I'm all for laying it out there on the table, and would prefer if this were a general, world-wide policy?
Training is good. I did 14 miles saturday and 5 (faster than usual but not on purpose!) today. yessss.
Dear Politicians,
Why do you lie so much? You represent America. You claim to be working for the American People and that you care, but I don't think you do. Most Americans have jobs to do, or families to take care of, or school to study for, or better things to do than spending everyday researching you and how you voted on a particular piece of legislation, or what you think about social security, or what warning you give about a particular crisis thats looming ahead. So when we hear you talk on the news, or in the newspaper, or in debates, we trust what you are saying to be somewhat factual. But its not, and so I wonder if you think that it is the responsibility of the American Citizen to go behind you and research the statements that you made to be sure that they are true? If that is so, then you can't really care. Either that, or you are vain and misinformed. I don't understand why you can't just answer a question and say what you REALLY mean. Instead, you try to talk around it or just blatantly lie about it, and then expect to just work everything out behind closed doors when you are elected. And then most of you blame the other party for the mistakes that come as a result of all this, and act surprised, and say you warned everyone. You are ridiculous. And why do you spend so much money then try to make it sound like you are doing all you can to save us money? How can you realize that there are a lot of people in this country (not even to mention other countries) that can't afford health and dental care, or that people can't afford to live in a house, and then use your government credit card to pay for your cruise. Or dinner for you and your closest business associates at a thousand dollars a plate. Or for your expensive hooker. If you could just spend one billion dollars less on your campaign than you normally do (people won't miss the bumper stickers, really) then you could make sure that there are enough teachers in every school, since they are the ones teaching the next generation of leaders that you care about, right?
I know, I am kind of naive, and I will be the first to admit that I don't know as much about politics as I could, should I invest a few hours in looking up programs and laws that I hear about in passing. But all I am asking for is a little honesty. During the debates, I would like for you to say what you really think and what you really know that you are going to do, instead of saying what you think I want to hear. Explain things. Be honest and let Americans know that there ARE problems, and that gain takes sacrifice, and that there are just some things you can't do because life isn't always peachy. Somewhere deep down, I think everyone knows it, so you should just face it too. In conclusion, please stop lying.
Sincerely,
Sydney Moulton
Dear U.S. Airways,
You are jerks. And sneaky jerks, at that. I had to cancel a flight to the Bahamas in May because I did not have my passport. I did not have my passport because YOUR website told me I only needed a birth certificate. I somehow listened through my sobs of disappointment when your employee told me that I would have a $300 credit to use on future flights. And now, you want to charge me $150 to use MY credit? WHAT?!? I know that I checked the box that acknowledged that this flight was non-refundable, but I don't even want my money back. I just want to be able to use that money to fly your airline. I would even pay the $15 charge to check a bag. And I might even buy a soda or two, since you don't give those away for free either. Or you could have taught the woman at the ticket counter to tell customers that they should expect a ridiculously unfair charge when they try to use the credit, because at least I could brace myself for that. But no. You didn't, and you don't care about your customers either, and no, I WONT fly with you like your slogan tells me to. I'm flying Delta.
And they are giving me a free soda, too!
Love (but not really),
Sydney A. Moulton
In conclussion, I'm just really sick of dishonesty! I'm all for laying it out there on the table, and would prefer if this were a general, world-wide policy?
Training is good. I did 14 miles saturday and 5 (faster than usual but not on purpose!) today. yessss.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Day 11
I've been thinking a lot about the human body lately. First of all, because there are a lot of days when I don't want to exercise, but then I do, and I feel better. And it's during these times when I think about how blessed I am to have a healthy, strong body that can do things like run. Secondly, I've thought about training a body and it's limitations. Some people would say that if you work hard enough, you can train your body to do anything. I don't think I believe it.
In a way, sometimes I try to convince myself it's real. I found my mantra for this marathon on a page in Shape magazine, and it was a Nike ad, I think. It said "my lungs are a pair of little sissies that need to shut up." Something close to that. So basically, whenever I'm tired or my legs feel like my feet are cement blocks, I just think about this statement and tell my body to shut up and keep going. And it works! But I mean, lots of people have run marathons without stopping, so I'm really not defying any laws of nature or anything.
But sometimes I think about Olympic Marathoners, or people who actually win races, and they run so fast! Constantina Tomescu, the woman who got first place this year ran around a 5 minute mile consistently, for all 26.2 miles, and somehow survived. (She's in her 40s, fyi). Then, just to drive home the point, she ran so many victory laps around the indoor stadium that the announcers stopped counting. And the "slow ones" in the chase pack probably ran about a 5:30 mile, if that. Really?! How? I can't imagine ever running a 5 minute mile once, and definitely not 26 times in a row. So I just wonder what makes an athlete super, and how much heredity plays into these things, and if anyone can really be an olympic-quality runner, or gymnast, or ping-pong player, or whatever.
Even if this isn't the case, I just really think that the human body is amazing, and it's crazy how hard it can work. And the way your muscles move together, and they tear and heal and build themselves, and little joints like ankles support the whole rest of the body. And toes help keep everything balanced. And your hair and toenails just keep growing and growing. And women can grow another human being inside their bellies. And your brain sees and processes and reacts so fast...I don't even know that much about the brain but what I do know is even too much for me to think about sometimes. Have you ever thought about how your body parts move? I wonder about that, like all I have to do is think about moving my arm, and want to move it, and it happens. Really quickly. I don't know all the logistics, but I think it's pretty sweet.
So anyways, the point is I am really thankful for being healthy and able to do everything that I can. There are a lot of people that aren't physically capable to do even everyday things. And I know I'm not always going to be like this either, because bodies get old and they just can't. So whenever I don't want to run, I think about that. And I hope you think about it too, and take care of yourself because you can.
I think I could go on and on forever and take this a billion different ways, but that's enough for today.
ps- today is a gorgeous fall day, and it's warm enough to wear a running skirt, but breezy enough to blow leaves off the trees and send them swirling in the street. I LOVE that. I also love candy corn, especially the little pumpkins. I just can't get enough of it. Well, I really can...but it's still really yummy.
In a way, sometimes I try to convince myself it's real. I found my mantra for this marathon on a page in Shape magazine, and it was a Nike ad, I think. It said "my lungs are a pair of little sissies that need to shut up." Something close to that. So basically, whenever I'm tired or my legs feel like my feet are cement blocks, I just think about this statement and tell my body to shut up and keep going. And it works! But I mean, lots of people have run marathons without stopping, so I'm really not defying any laws of nature or anything.
But sometimes I think about Olympic Marathoners, or people who actually win races, and they run so fast! Constantina Tomescu, the woman who got first place this year ran around a 5 minute mile consistently, for all 26.2 miles, and somehow survived. (She's in her 40s, fyi). Then, just to drive home the point, she ran so many victory laps around the indoor stadium that the announcers stopped counting. And the "slow ones" in the chase pack probably ran about a 5:30 mile, if that. Really?! How? I can't imagine ever running a 5 minute mile once, and definitely not 26 times in a row. So I just wonder what makes an athlete super, and how much heredity plays into these things, and if anyone can really be an olympic-quality runner, or gymnast, or ping-pong player, or whatever.
Even if this isn't the case, I just really think that the human body is amazing, and it's crazy how hard it can work. And the way your muscles move together, and they tear and heal and build themselves, and little joints like ankles support the whole rest of the body. And toes help keep everything balanced. And your hair and toenails just keep growing and growing. And women can grow another human being inside their bellies. And your brain sees and processes and reacts so fast...I don't even know that much about the brain but what I do know is even too much for me to think about sometimes. Have you ever thought about how your body parts move? I wonder about that, like all I have to do is think about moving my arm, and want to move it, and it happens. Really quickly. I don't know all the logistics, but I think it's pretty sweet.
So anyways, the point is I am really thankful for being healthy and able to do everything that I can. There are a lot of people that aren't physically capable to do even everyday things. And I know I'm not always going to be like this either, because bodies get old and they just can't. So whenever I don't want to run, I think about that. And I hope you think about it too, and take care of yourself because you can.
I think I could go on and on forever and take this a billion different ways, but that's enough for today.
ps- today is a gorgeous fall day, and it's warm enough to wear a running skirt, but breezy enough to blow leaves off the trees and send them swirling in the street. I LOVE that. I also love candy corn, especially the little pumpkins. I just can't get enough of it. Well, I really can...but it's still really yummy.
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