Summers actually are for reality television

1995, the summer before 8th grade. Otherwise known as the summer I spent weeks at a time watching MTV, the year of Alanis Morrisette's Jagged Little Pill & TLC's "Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls." Ahh, Buzz Clips. And the year I caught up on the first four seasons of the Real World.

Now I have about 16 years of reality television to catch up on, minus the many hours I spent in college watching Elimidate (it feels wrong to italicize that program, but I did it anyway). 

This summer has been the summer of Say Yes to the Dress, Teen Mom, and 16 & Pregnant. I see that Toddlers & Tiaras is on Netflix, too, so no doubt I'll explore that. Oh, look, I just pushed play.

And to make sure I remain high in your esteem: summers are also for reading. So far, I've read Edwidge Dandicatt's The Dew Breakers, Marilynne Robinson's Gilead, The Fug Girls' Spoiled, Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer, Morrison's Song of Solomon, the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy, and two wedding books (Offbeat Bride & Miss Manners). I'm currently reading The Corrections, and I'm pretty sure I forgot a book or two. Granted, not highest of brows on display here, but summer is not about Tristram Shandy or Paradise Lost, though last summer certainly was.

Triumph, and, a possible perk of unemployment

Just took my first run since the thyroidectomy, and it was shockingly easier than expected. I was slower than usual, but I did not find myself watching the clock (I've been following the couch to 5k plan for the last couple of months to get back in the running habit and I typically know exactly how much longer I have for each interval at any given point during my run).

For one, I was pleased to learn that I could actually run slower. I typically shuffle along, running a 9 minute mile regardless of what point I am at during my run (note-- I have never attempted to run more than 30 minutes or so and I'm sure that would change if I went on longer).  But today I only covered 2.44 miles and it took 35 minutes-- 18 minutes of running and 17, walking. Usually I'd squeeze nearly an extra mile out of that time. Alas, I ran slowly with nary and it was easy and pleasant, so I'm happy.

But best of all was the fact that I contentedly listened to the podcast without looking at my iPod every 30 seconds. This I attribute to the aforementioned unemployment. Yesterday I baked this apple cake and was startled when the timer went off after 20 minutes, having felt only a few of those pass. Today I ran my first 5 minute interval without looking at my iPod even once. Okay, I looked once but that was in amazement when I realized I had to be almost done. And I was.


Whoa.

A life update

So, apparently it's been over a year since I updated this blog. How bizarre.

I started a wedding planning tumblr. Yes, Bill and I are engaged. After 11 years of dating, and 7 of cohabitation. Despite our long ago commitment to each other, it is exciting.

Not sure what the point of resuscitating this blog is, exactly. Probably there is no point, except that I am under-programmed these days and have plenty of free time. Do I have any readers left? Will this show up on someone's RSS or whatever? Who knows!

Alas, I felt the urge to update. I got engaged, finished my master's, and got my thyroid out all in under a month. That month came to a close last Monday. Now I am effectively unemployed-- or at least, massively under-employed.

And I have my first job interview on Monday. And I realized, when pondering what to wear, that the suit I have was purchased in 2005, that I haven't gone on a job interview since 2007. So this weekend, I will figure out what to wear (not the suit-- it's too big now, anyway).

I wish I had not made this realization, as between 2004 and 2007, I went on dozens of interviews. I was a pro. Until I realized I hadn't had one in over four years, I felt pretty relaxed about the whole endeavor.

Alas, now I must put together an outfit, one that involves a scarf (which is itself a challenge) and thus disguises the falling off and crusty Steristrips that cover my surgical wound. Wish me luck.