Archive of Marcia's Musings March 19-25, 2001
Sunday, March 25, 2001
Totally Uneventful Day!!
I really did absolutely nothing today-- Brian and I made the weekly run to Costco this morning and actually walked out with change! We're "Executive Club" members which means that, in addition to the other benefits, we get 2% of our purchases back at the end of the year. That covers the cost of the membership so I'm okay with it-- we received our dividend check this past week and used it to pay for the stuff we bought. We got change back from our dividend-- it was one of the lowest amounts we've ever spent in a trip there, believe me-- that doesn't happen often!!
When we came home, I read on tape to Grammy for a bit but, didn't finish a tape yet-- I got bored and was distracted thinking about what I'm going to make for myself to eat next week after my dental surgery. Worrying about it got me a bit too distracted so I went ahead and went to the grocery store. I purchased some stuff that I'll freeze until I can actually use them but, next Sunday, I will be a busy bee cooking all day and sticking stuff in the freezer that I can heat during the rest of the week for lunch and dinner.
The rest of the afternoon was spent lazing around watching movies and waiting for the Oscar pre-game show that started here at 3:30pm. I've been watching it ever since but only in the background-- I made dinner, did the dishes, set up my clothes for tomorrow's backpacking to work and have only my vitamins left to sort before I'm ready for the new week.
Boringly dull, eh? Well, ya know, its okay to have that kind of day once in awhile... actually, its kinda nice to have that kinda day once in awhile. Next weekend will be a busy one so it'll make up for it!!
I'm back to backgrounding the Oscars-- Have a nice evening!!
Saturday, March 24, 2001Busy Day-- Again!!
Well, my day was busy!! I went over to see my friend, Linda to get my nails and pedicure done. Lisa was too busy to paint anything on my toes (which technically is a good thing cuz it means her clientele is building up!) but it always feels good to get a great foot massage!! After that, I was supposed to get another service but, decided we couldn't do it until Thursday so I went on about my business.
I wandered over to Sunnyvale Town Center to pick up a few things-- I actually wandered around in a store trying to spend money and couldn't find anything I had to have!! I had a couple for $25 off of a $50 purchase-- perfect way to spend money, right? Well, I couldn't find anything and decided that it would be better not to buy something just because I had a coupon. I'd rather wait until I found something that I really liked and/or needed and, if I lose out on a coupon, life will go on . . . interesting philosophy-- I kinda like it. I did find a picture frame for something that Brian needed along with a "Tea Cattle" on sale at a Lechters that was closing: it is a tea kettle painted and shaped like a cow-- too cute!!
After my shopping was finished, I headed over to my office-- I forgot to bring my computer home and I wanted to check my email on something. As I drove home, I discovered a new route for bicycling. I will miss "Killer Hill" but will still have the other two overpasses. This gets me on streets where there is either a bike lane or less traffic and wider streets. When Brian found out that I was on Central Expressway bicycling on Friday afternoon, he voiced his displeasure calmly but expressed the opinion that he'd prefer I'd find something less. . . challenging, i.e., no dealing with on- and off-ramps, high-speeding vehicles, etc. On the day that I have to go to my Weight Watchers meeting, I'll have an extra half-mile or so to cycle but that's not a problem-- after what I do now, another half-mile is a piece of cake!! (Well, okay, maybe not on the way to a Weight Watcher meeting!)
Our Date
We had a wonderful time on our date last night-- we went to dinner at Tarragon in Downtown Sunnyvale (near Sunnyvale Town Center, actually). Brian had the Seafood Linguine and I had the Short Rib Timbale. Prior to the main courses, we had a mixed greens salad with a garlic oil and balsamic vinegar dressing that was excellent! Brian had a "Chocolate Orbit Cake" for dessert while I had a cappucino. I warned him that the "cake" part of the dessert was more like a block of fudge brownie so his eyes lit up when he saw that I was telling the truth!! He is a man who loves his chocolate!!
When we got home, we decided to play Trivial Pursuit and, for a change, I got really lucky on the questions-- I usually get all of the dumb questions that are too ridiculous for a real human to know. This time, Brian got those questions and I got the ones that were actually available in the average person's intellect, i.e., mine!! I beat him 6 to 1 pie pieces!! I even let him get away with giving me a fake final question category (purple) that was about a hexi-decimal or something (?)-- I don't know. He was really tired and that's the only reason that I believe I could actually beat him that badly-- its never happened before and I doubt that'll ever happen again!!
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I've got some work to do on my sister's website and I'd like to finish a tape that I'm working on for Grammy. Brian's working on a tutorial so its a good thing we had our date last night-- he hasn't even had dinner yet!!
Have a nice evening!
Friday, March 23, 2001More of the Same but Better this Time!
As is to be expected, I have improved my bicycling skills today!! I made it half-way up the first overpass! This is the one that I have decided to name "Killer Hill" so now, as I mention it from time to time, you will know what I'm talking about. This is a vast improvement over yesterday's attempt, needless to say. Then, it just got better from there!! I heard myself saying "Come on now-- you can do it!!" and "Just a little farther . . . a little farther" and "Atta girl-- you can do it!!!" and "Come on, baby!!" and "Atta girl, you did it!!" as I reached the summit of the other two overpasses!! I couldn't believe it but I did make it up both of the other overpasses on my way into work today!! At one point I heard "Go! Go! Go!" but couldn't figure out where I was hearing it from-- then I looked up: it wasn't "Go! Go! Go!", it was "Honk! Honk! Honk!" as some ducks passed overhead!! I guess its all in what you need to hear, eh?
John Doucette made me feel a bit better this morning with an email about "Overpasses":
I don't know what it is about overpasses but I have yet to meet one that I could get a run at. Maybe this is a design feature, but going up a steep climb without being able to take a run at it is hard work. No shame in walking. Ride those that you can and you will be surprised how quickly you get stronger, and ride more overpasses as time goes on.And thanks to everyone who offered congratulations in emails! They are greatly appreciated and the encouragement is always welcome. There's still the journey home . . .I will make it . . . I will make it . . . I will make it . . .
You have your mantra, I have mine!
Early Post
As I write this, its 11am and I'm in my cubicle working on various agreements. I thought I'd start this post because I don't know how late Brian and I are going to be out tonight. If I can do a cut-n-paste when I get home, at least you'll get something that's current.
The end-o-quarter crunch continues. It is really nice to work for a successful (more than 13 years in the biz) company!! I enjoy talking with the customers and the sales reps and it helps to pass my time as I wander through this life. The good news is that I get paid for enjoying my job-- I like that part the best, I think.
Home Now
I am looking for alternate routes of getting to and from work-- I may be doing some riding around in the car this weekend. Fair Oaks Avenue, which is the street that at one end is the street we live on (but the name has changed) and at the other end the street where my office is (but the name is changed there, too), is very busy with traffic on the route home which makes walking uphill on overpasses scary, to say the least. So tonight, I took an alternate route onto Central Expressway which sounds fast-- and, let's face it, it is-- but at least it has a bicycle lane and, from what I saw tonight, people are patient about sharing this road where they are not about sharing the city streets. I don't know-- I'm going to check some stuff out this weekend.
So far this week, in the four days that I was able to ride, I averaged over 9.5 miles per day!! That's a lot more than I used to do-- yes, I am pleased and surprised at myself. That's kind of important, too-- being surprised at your own capabilities sometimes.
Weekend Plans
Well, its the usual around here: Brian's working, I'm getting pampered and on Sunday a Costco run. We're just too darn predictable, aren't we? Well, ya never know-- maybe there'll be a surprise or two! If there is, you know you'll be the first to know . . . well, okay, maybe the second to know!
Well, my husband and I have a date tonight . . . you have a nice evening, too!!
Thursday, March 22, 2001I did it!!
Finally, after months and months of threatening to do so, I finally rode my bicycle to and from work!! Boy, that'll wake you up in the morning!! I left the garage at the apartment at 6:11am and was gone the second time by 6:15am. I forgot my helmet but realized it a quarter of a mile down the road so back I came. My work, via the route of bicycling, is 6.23 miles from our apartment. In order to get there, I have to go over three overpasses-- there are no hills in the city. I had a good rate of speed as I approached the first and then . . . the bicyclist going the opposite direction pushed the button for the light to change and yes, mine did-- screech!!! There went my momentum! This first "hill" is a direct 45degree incline immediately following the light-- I had no hope of making that climb!
The second climb a bit further down the road wasn't as severe but it still was a bit much for this "cyclist". The third, went a little better but I still had to walk all three inclines on the way to work due to the fact that, basically, I'm not used to doing anything but the flat city streets!! Oh, yes, the downhills were great fun-- 23.4mph!! People get killed riding bicycles going that fast-- if only because they are my age and have a heart attack when they realize how fast they're going!!! Yikes!!!! I was keeping up with cars!!!
At the bottom of the third overpass is the light at which I need to turn left to get to work. I also have to cross railroad tracks (light rail) which are a little slick if taken too fast so, I slowed quite a bit toward the bottom of the down side. I bicycled the last half mile to work with no effort although, I have to admit that I was a bit hot, sweaty, tired and sore. Ah, yes, a great way to start the day!!
There are still no bike racks installed around our building so I brought my bike in and parked it in a cube that isn't being used in our department. I may have to move it around somewhat depending on who is in the office of our part time people but I don't think that'll be too big of a problem. Anyway, since I had to wait to cool down before taking my shower, I checked my voicemail, answered some email and did my back stretches and stomach crunches. Eventually I cooled down enough for a shower to actually be effective and afterward, went on about the duties of the day.
I learned something: if a banana is not in your backpack but in a bag on your handle bar, it will not survive. See? That's an important thing to know! Now, I'll never do that again . . . the good news is that the cafeteria finally opened in our building so I went down and bought a banana. I think its important to maintain healthy potassium levels for exercise, to avoid my legs cramping.
Anyway, the trip home was a bit worse-- I was tired after working all day and, let's face it: I've never done 12 miles of bicycling in one day. Of the overpasses, however, I made it up the second one but couldn't manage the first or third-- especially not the third one!! I couldn't believe how tired I was but I realized that part of the reason that I'm tired is that I'm not used to doing this kind of a workout and I'm doing it without stopping-- I forget to stop for breaks on my bike (except for lights) and I need to remember to do that-- it doesn't hurt anything to rest my legs, particularly before an incline which may help it be easier to make the incline!!
Ya know, its like I told John Doucette a couple of days ago:
From John:
> And it is the engine not the bike that gets you upFrom me:
> the hill.Well, DAH!!! This engine is at least 20 years olderBUT, I have to look at it from the standpoint that at least I am out there! I see and hear so many people complaining about how they wish they had time to exercise but, they've got time for plenty of things that are negative so there really isn't an excuse for not taking the time to try!!
and 40 pounds heavier than the engines around me--
that's one of the reasons that I'm out there but, man, it is old with all them young whipper-snappers flying by me!!And, yes, I'll be doing it again tomorrow!
Work!!!
Busy is as busy does!!! We just don't seem to get ahead-- when I leave at night, I'm "caught up" but at the beginning of the day, I am swamped again!! It is amazing!! Non-disclosure agreements and software license agreements and a multitude of other agreements are popping out of every possible corner and, of course, it is end-of-quarter so we've got computers crashing all over the place, too!! I'll tell ya: you can set your clocks to it!!
Eating Out
I suppose I should update you on the dinner from last night, eh? Well, seven of us went out to dinner at a restaurant here in Sunnyvale-- actually, Brian and I have a dinner date tomorrow night, too and we're going to the same restaurant-- Tarragon. We had been there for lunch and, only decided at the last minute to stay there for dinner as we were scheduled to move to another restaurant. Delicious appetizers (baked brie, smoked salmon and caviar, and calamari) were enjoyed while we waited for our dinners. I tasted a bit of the caviar and loved it!! Oh, yes, I have expensive tastes. For dinner, I ordered the halibut-- Brian is so proud of me!! It was baked with a coating of crushed hazelnuts and was definitely nummy-licious!!
Spoelhof Update
There's an out-of-sequence update from my sister-- they've had some great news and wanted to share it so . . . if you found me by way of her site or vice versa, you may want to go over and check out a special post!!
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That's it for me for tonight-- oh, yes, I'll be calling it a night VERY early tonight. Tomorrow night's post may be early, late or non-existent depending on when I get home from work. Thanks for coming by and I will catch up with you soon!!
Have a nice evening!!
Wednesday, March 21, 2001What is up with that??
I wrote a bit of a post earlier and saved it as a draft in Yahoo and now its gone-- disappeared!! Man, I hate that!! Yes, I remember the topic but at the time that I wrote it, I really FELT what I was saying but now it would feel like sooooo much drivel, its just not worth it.
I also lost an email on Yahoo today-- Brian mentioned on his website that I'm already looking into trading in the truck (sorry, I do believe he was correct in saying that we had a late-blooming lemon). I don't plan on giving it a chance to prove us right or wrong-- its outta here!! (As soon as we get it back, that is!!) The email was from a dealership that I had located through an online service-- if it pans out and works well, I'll post a link. Its too early for recommendations yet though so, I'm just hoping to get them to resend the email that they sent to me this afternoon that Yahoo ate. We'll keep you posted on the progress
Cycling Plans Firm
Well, the cycling seems to be firming up just at the right time! I received the cycling pants I will need ever so desperately in the morning to keep my legs warm!! Yeah!!! Thanks to REI.com, I will be cycling warmer on my way to work-- this is a good thing!! Now the only thing I have to worry about is the fact that, after my "Girls' Night Out", I don't feel like doing much of anything now; tomorrow morning will be the key but I don't expect it to turn to be too much different!! Oh, well-- my shower supplies are at the office and, frankly, I'll be too embarrassed not to do it now but . . .
Short Shrift
Ya know I don't do this to ya very often but, I've gotta do it tonight-- sorry, just can't make it anymore!
Hope you have a nice evening!
Tuesday, March 20, 2001Lights Off!!
Or at least the overhead lights. That means that it is only dark in the cubicles that are not directly under a domed skylight or at a window area. Guess who that includes? You got it!! I sit along an interior wall-- it was pitch black in my area when I came in this morning!! We are able to use "task" lighting which means my cubicle is lit by one lone light. Its fairly dark in there yet, let me tell ya!! I am willing to put up with it for the time being but, this can't go on all summer. PG&E has to be a little more honest soon with what really happened to the electricity-- there are plants all over California that are pumping away.
Cycling Plans . . .
. . . have been altered but only slightly. Brian couldn't fit my bike, even sans the front wheel, into the 190D's trunk this morning. At 6:50am, he hadn't had any coffee and was, I perceived, feeling a bit challenged at trying to work out the bike rack. We gave up and, after a bit more thought, I've decided that I'm going to bring my shower supplies back to the office tomorrow. On Thursday, I'll start riding my bike to and from work!! Why not?? If it gets tough, well, I'll just get going-- right?!?!? Right!!!!
Girls' Night Out!!
Whoa!!! Watch out Palo Alto!!! Our department is having a dinner out on Wednesday night-- it is rumored to be an early evening and hopefully, it will be cuz I'm not good at being out late on a school night!!
Not Just the First Day of Spring!!
This is also the third anniversary of the first time that Brian and I went away together. We went to Tahoe, where I'd never been before and, it was his first experience of me sleeping on an airplane. (The engines start up and I go out!) The first time we'd seen snow together. The first time I wouldn't let him pull into a wedding chapel on the Nevada side. :>) What can I say? He was impulsive and, yes, his family checked when we got back. We saw the Moody Blues in concert at Caesars and had a wonderful time wandering around and getting lost. Always great fun with him, indeed.
Now, we've had three more years of trips and excitement and doing things together and, I know that it is just the beginning. Its fun reliving all of the stuff we've done in the memories that we have together. And we'll be reliving these memories for years to come . . . many, many years to come.
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I hate to say it but that's about all I've got to report-- have a nice evening!!
Monday, March 19, 2001Victim Here!! Victim Here!!
That is actually a line from one of my favorite Whoopi Goldberg movies, "Jumpin' Jack Flash"! (I'm going to watch that again during the recuperation week just cuz it is sooo much fun!) Why am I a "victim"? Personally speaking, I am not a victim but my office is!! Although our apartment is in a "Rolling Outage Zone 50" (Fire Station two blocks away), at 2:30 this afternoon, we were sent home from work. All of our servers and power at our company and the companies in the immediate vicinity were hit by... Rolling Black-Outs!! You can get the story here but apparently, most of Newark where Brian works as well were knocked out-- his office there is in a "Rolling Outage Zone 50" as well-- close proximity to another fire station. Okay, so I've complained about those fire trucks in the middle of the night but, there is an advantage to them, isn't there? The silence, after everything goes down all at once (which is a kind of "Ker-Plunk" noise) is fairly deafening until everyone figures out what's happening. Then, as one person declared, "Its a California Snow Day!!!!"
9th Row-- Gold Circle!!!
Sounds good, doesn't it? Yep, well, that's the perch from whence we will be watching Michael Flatley's "Feet of Flames"!!! Yowza!!! No help from the jerk on the phone, either-- I did the purchase of the tickets ONLINE in less time than it took to be on hold. We have no specific idea where the seats are but in Row 9-- it is GOING to be good!!! No jeans allowed here though, boys-- Michael Flatley can see you when you're this close!!!
Cycling Fool!!!
At least for this week I am anyway-- tomorrow night and the remainder of the week, I'm going to cycle home from work. It is 7 miles which I've done dozens of times so that's not a problem. It is 7 miles up and down hills but I'm pretty sure I can make it-- especially by the end of the week. Tomorrow night, I'll stop at my Weight Watchers meeting on the way home but the rest of the week, I should be able to do a straight ride home. I'm actually looking forward to it!! The ride home will take care of my stress before I get home which will be a lot more fun for me!!
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Work, witht he exception of the black-out was sorta-kinda busy. Mostly the busy-ness seems to start on Tuesdays and get worse as the week progresses. We'll have to see though how it goes-- ya never know!If I haven't said it lately, thanks for coming by-- I appreciate the visit!!
Have a nice evening!!
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