So... You Think You're Multi-Tasking?

Ha! Even computers with only one processor cannot multi-task, only time-slice. Which means jumping from one task to the next with some rapidity, but never performing them simultaneously.

One of the greatest powers is the ability to focus. That's a lofty goal I aim for, but for now I'm randomly spinning a bunch of plates on sticks and hoping I can keep them all aloft. Even mastery of time-slicing sounds better all the time.

And Your Sins Shall Be Visited Onto...

Last night Scott grilled steak, scallops, and shrimp for dinner; and I steamed the perfect artichokes. Scott opened a bottle of red wine to accompany this feast, even though we were planning to drink champagne while we watched the Oscars. By the closing credits with Hugh Jackman waving bye-bye and everyone in India happy, we had managed to polish off a bottle of each. (Oh. My. Gawd.)

So why was it that what awakened us in the middle of the night was the unmistakable sounds of the dog puking?

Ignore This Member
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One of the Many Reasons I Love PaperbackSwap.com

When a friend referred me to PaperbackSwap.com, I didn't think it would be of much interest since I preferred to sell/buy books on Amazon or half.com. But I've come to LOVE ordering books for free—and unlike the library, which I also adore, I don't have to return anything. It comes with only the occasional inconvenience of someone expecting the same from me, at which point I put the specified book I no longer want in an envelope, add postage, and ship it out.

Just as I sometimes think I can't possibly love my husband any more deeply only to find that my love for him has widened, I recently discovered even greater dimension to my relationship with PaperbackSwap.com. In their newsletter they described a new feature in their forums: the Ignore This Member button, described as follows:

This feature allows you to ignore a member (or members) whose topics bother you, bore you, etc. When you have ignored a member, you will be able to go anywhere in forums and never "hear" from the member again, while seeing all the rest of the posts in topics. You can ignore as many people as you like. We think this is a great way to shut out any forum voices that may get on your nerves and spoil your day, while letting the other voices come through loud and clear.

I consider this Deep Thoughts Advice About Life. I have now installed an internal Ignore This Member button, and when I detect any "voice that may get on my nerves or spoil my day", I mentally click Ignore This Member. And giggle. While letting all the other voices come through loud and clear.

Thank you PaperbackSwap.com.

I've Been Freakin' Busy (Not Unlike Everyone Else)

Yeah, yeah. I haven't posted in awhile. I got married. I honeymooned. Less happily, I went to two funerals.

I trained for a marathon. Again.

I won't give all the grisly details of training through a Wisconsin winter, but will only mention the highlights of requiring water-/snow-proof running shoes with strap-on ice cleats (Stabilicers) and the occasional 18-mile run on a treadmill because it was too cold outside to breathe for long periods of time. (I have made Scott swear an oath that he will stop me—stop me, stop me please! I can't help myself!—if I ever again sign up for some endurance event requiring major mid-winter training.)

It was the February 15 AT&T Marathon in Austin, Texas, made attractive despite the timing because my daughter Carrie lives there. Scott, bless his heart, met me there late Friday night after a grueling week at a conference in Tampa. Scott, Carrie, C's bf Shawn, and I enjoyed great camaraderie and way too much good food and drink—causing me to gain 4 pounds over the course of the weekend, despite burning probably 3500 calories on the run.

The morning of the marathon dawned at 50 degrees, perfect for the event. Carrie, Shawn, and my "granddog" Saint met Scott and me at our hotel. Carrie had had special neon orange t-shirts printed for everyone—including daughter Laura and her bf Chad supporting from Boston (and who sent way cool pics modeling the t's)—emblazoned with the marathon info, and "Z-Team" on the front and each individual's name and favorite number on the back. I had raised money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and using multi-colored permanent markers, tattooed my legs with the names of my contributors. I felt so blessed to be supported in so many ways by so many loving friends and family members.

Our hotel was only a few blocks from the race start, and after hugs all around, my "pit crew" took their posts on the curb. Finally the race started, and being toward the back of the fray of 13,000 entrants, it started with a slow shuffle and took over 10 minutes to get to the official starting line.

I felt so good and after the initial glacial pace, the first 12 miles went faster than I expected. I was keeping a little over a 10:15/mile pace. (One friend had asked me if I thought I would finish in maybe an hour. Uhhhh.... let's see. The world record is over 2 hours. I'm 56, slightly overweight, and don't train as hard as I could. That would be a "no". And I had no idea I knew anyone THAT retarded.) Somewhere around Mile 12 or 13, I started getting a little cramping in my calves. That slowed me down a little, but I kept going. By Mile 21 the cramps were radiating up and down my legs, and I was reduced to mostly walking, although I was able to periodically grind out a pathetic little jog. Anyway, I finished, and I did do my best time for a marathon. (Previously it was 5:14, and I finished this one in 5:01:59, just missing busting that 5-hour mark by 2 minutes—next time! Next time!) Like with any airplane landing, anything you walk away from (or finish) is a good one. Hey! That time would have qualified me for the Boston Marathon—if I were 75 years old.

As grueling as it was at times, I had a great time in the run and over the course of the entire weekend. Having Scott, Carrie, Shawn, and Saint showing up on different parts of the course (with Laura and Chad and many other friends & family there in spirit) to cheer me on was pure delight. Even with the painful and less-than-pretty finish, I was proud of working for this and the improvement I achieved. And it motivates me to go for more.

For my next trick: Half Ironman-distance triathlon in July. Stay tuned.