snowy sundays.

Today was the first day of "real" snow...nothing stuck, really, but that could change overnight. Tons of flakes flurrying around and descending at a rather good clip. Can't lie, I was rather disappointed in the weather today - I needed to run 8-9 miles today...Vegas is JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!! And, yes, it crossed my mind - several times, in fact - to just not do it.

However. I've been "not doing it" all week. I crapped out last weekend at the Turkey Trot - stupid knee. And I took it easy running-wise this week to be "kind" to the ol' knee. I was NOT so lucky in the HyperFit sense, though. My ass was KICKED by my trainers this week...and my confidence seriously boosted as I learned some Olympic Lifting terms and moves.

So, I knew I had to run today. And I did! AND I had a really good run. The weather wasn't actually so bad to run in. Keep in mind that during the warmer times of the year, I'm a member of the "red-faced, obese man" group...as in I sweat a LOT and get tomato red, regardless of the shape I'm in. I just sweat a lot. And run hot...except for my extremities.

Ok, getting off-topic...sorry!

So, I ended up having a really good run. The iPod Gawds had a LOT to do with it, though. My random pacing mix shuffled in the most amazing order...it's so interesting to see just how much better I run when I've got good tunes to listen to. It was such a great compilation that I went back and saved it as a stand-alone playlist.

For the actual run, I did the first 3.5 mile loop solo, the second 3.5 with Maverick on a 20-foot leash so he could run, and the last 1.5 miles with Kali - she got the short run 'cuz she's my lil' Principesa...she loathes the cold.

Really good day running. On a crap weather day. Here we come, Vegas!!!!

Hope I haven't bored y'all to tears...

I *heart* Overheard in NY

What girl hasn't had a moment like this:

Woman on phone: So, should I continue not being a whore or should I go get an emergency Brazilian?

--Lexington Ave & 58th

* as posted on www.overheardinnewyork.com

snowshoe anyone?

One my bestest "Be Fri"s, Alice, and I did a snowshoeing 5k last year - the Romp to Stomp Breast Cancer. And we TOTALLY got into snowshoeing. I guess I'd have found out I loved it sooner if I'd lived somewhere with snow. Or snow and no public transportation.

Regardless, I just stumbled across this race in Traverse City in January. Anyone out there wanna road trip with me for some snowshoeing? Please? Pretty please. I'll be on my best - read: most fun, most witty, most social - behavior!!!!

I need friends in Michigan.

(This is me trying to not feel sad for myself that a whole buncha my "Be Fri"s are going to be palling around together in San Antonio this weekend. AND there'll be a Volpe. Man. I miss having a life.)

So What.

It's no secret. I LOVE Pink. No, not the color, but the rockstar. And her new song, So What, just happens to be one of my Top 5 songs ever. Great for running, great for rockin' out...great for break ups (not that I've had one in, well, eff, forever?!). I very, very rarely actually watch the videos to songs anymore, but this one, well, quite simply, it ROCKS.

Check it out. (Stupid embedding disabled. Boo.)

another something i like.

so, it's no secret that i love me some pirates. yum - "lawless miscreants." imagine my delight when an email was delivered to my inbox letting me know all about agent provocateur's new line. in case you missed the link, CLICK HERE.

now i just need to find a way to justify spending a gazillion bucks on sassy lingerie...or...hmmmm...someone to buy them for me. ;)

(hi mom!)

revised running schedule...

So, um, yeah. I didn't quite get around to running a couple of the races I thought I would. No Grete's - although I'll put it on next year's calendar!, because I left NYC the week before the race. No Detroit Free Press Half because my training tooooooootally tanked the last month I was in NYC...yeah, I was a little overwhelmed and stressed.

HOWEVER, Vegas is very firmly on the schedule! Hotel's booked, plane ticket purchased, costumes are being finalized. Oh yes - costumes! It's gonna be one helluva weekend for costumes!!! Stay tuned for pics...

Beyond that, I know I'm doing Gasparilla in Feb/March...yes, for the Maiden Voyage bell ringing, Becker! I might go do the Mardi Gras Half if Ashley can convince Foxy Bob that he wants to be in N'awlins for his 30th birthday.

Would LOVE to do the Flying Pig in May, but I'll have been in Tampa working the St. Anthony's Triathlon the week before.

Other than that, the only definite (or definite maybe?) is the Nike Women's Half in San Fran...and maybe the OBX half in November. Oooooo and the one in Maine with the 'token male runner.' My friends PRed there this year! And maybe one of John Bingham's races - penguin medals! 'Nuff said!!!

So...thoughts? Ideas? Any MUST DOs? Anything anyone's running that I might want to tag along? What's on YOUR schedule?

Oh. And, yeah. I promised Whitney that I'd do a sprint triathlon if she runs a half with me. Oy vey.

things I like...

That this is happening in NYC. Why, oh why, am I not there?!?!

And I'm soooooo glad that I'm living in a state - finally! - where they pass out "I voted" stickers. So I can actually go to Starbucks and claim my free java. Yum. And Yum.

Missing NYC.

I haven't missed NY much until today. See, today's the running of the NYC Marathon. And I've worked it the last couple of years. So, it's a little weird to be on the very outside and not even able to look in.

And by "look in," I mean cheer on the gazillions of friends who are running it this year. Actually, by this point, it's RAN. Alice set a PR - whoop, whoop! Ted, Ken, and Kathleen all ran their first full marathon! Whooo hooo! Patricia ran her 10th NYC race - and, I'm assuming, kicked some NYC ass!!!

Yep. I even miss the madness and mayhem that is the behind the scenes. The command trailer. The gators. The c-tainer. Unleashing 1000s of heat sheets. Making sure that everyone finds a spot on the ferry or a bus so they make their race start. Watching the elite racers prance about, warming up, from the Jersey dividers on the Verrazzano Bridge. Seeing the - literal - tons of discarded clothing being scooped up by bulldozers...after we've gotten all the buses off the Plaza, of course. Being in a police escort to make it back to the Finish in Central Park, hopefully in time to see the finishers.

I love event work. I really do. And this year, some of my event friends are having their first NYC Marathon - Evelyn, Adam, I hope you're still standing! MJ, Volpe, Decker, and all my other "veteran" friends, I hope this year's better than last!!!

I miss you. Bunches.

My life in "retirement."

1. Apparently, half a bottle of wine after 3 weeks of almost no alcohol (2 glasses of wine and 1 beer don't count...or compare) makes me a very serious, holy cow kinda lightweight.

2. Dragging 3, 7,000lb duffel bags in from the garage and down the basement stairs after half a bottle of wine after 3 weeks of abstinence, whilst wearing slippers...might be a bad idea.

3. If someone had told me that when I "grew up," I'd be totally comfortable rockin' out to my iPod in my grandparents' 13+ yr old mini van, I'd have called 'em NUTSO. But I am.

4. "Rockin' out" means cranking anything by Pink. The artist. The rockstar. "Leave me alone (I'm lonely)" might just be my anthem. Or "So what." Just sayin'...

5. I need some running discipline. Or maybe just people to run with. Like scheduled dates. Anyone? Anyone?

6. Oddly - and thankfully - I just got really busy this week. All kinds of things popped out of the woodwork this week/weekend...work to some volunteering, to some work to some babysitting. Methinks I could settle in to this life in Michigan...except...except...

7. ...'cepting the dungeon. I'm actually rather comfortable down here. It's just dark and windowless, so I have NO clue of the time (and can sleep all day rather easily!). And it might get super cold once it gets super cold outside. But the dogs and I have definitely settled in.

8. I'm totally digging the nephew. I think he digs me, too. Little does he know just how cool an Aunt I'll be - I mean, pirates rock!!! Regardless, it's fun to hang out with family - sis and mom included, not just the baybeeee.

9. Rumor has it, my Dad might be making an appearance. Stay tuned!

"Wild women of Whippoorwill" (sic)

I'm not kidding, this is one of the TRUEST laugh out loud moments I've had in a really, really long time. The laughter cackles in the background just make it THAT much better.

Ms. Chelle K., you're SO right, this would make one of the funniest, wild fundraisers EVER!

Again, here's a link to the video of the Wild Women of Whippoorwill! Check it out.

Update:
The whole thing is hilarious, but at 3:32 the folks behind the camera lose it (effin' funny!) with one of the pairs of women's solution to the problem. Not kidding, I'm crying!!!

Holy DELICIOUS, Batman!

'tis rare that I send around a recipe, but OHMIGOD my mom made this tonight and it was so good, I had to share. This might even be the kid-friendliest with veggies meal I've seen in a while. SO. GOOD. And, AND, I am not, not, not a fan of chard in any circumstance. Not kidding. Most importantly, though, holy crapola, the squash was amazing. We used Delicata squash and I would HIGHLY recommend it should you have it in your grocery stores. Never had it before, but it is now my hands down fave squash!!!

We used oregano because we had no sage. And this would provide a whole buncha leftovers for one person cooking...

I hope you enjoy as much as we did! No leftovers...


------------------------
Pork Medallions With Squash and Greens
The Washington Post, October 15, 2008

Dinner in 35 Minutes

* Course: Main Course
* Features: Fast, Kid-Friendly

Summary:

This dish comes from Christopher Blobaum, executive chef of the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, S.C. He accepted our challenge to make his restaurant recipe accessible for a weeknight cook. He prefers using delicata squash, which is available now at Washington-area farmers markets. We used prepped and packaged butternut squash, keeping the dinnertime clock in mind.

Grits are almost a given, in terms of complementary low-country side dishes. Here, it really works, catching the sweet-tart pan juices.

4 servings
Ingredients:

* 6 to 8 sage leaves, plus more for (optional) garnish
* 4 large cloves garlic
* 3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 12 ounces peeled and pre-cut butternut squash (may substitute 1 pound of delicata squash, peeled, cut in half, seeded and then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide crescents)
* 1 cup fresh apple cider
* 1/2 cup water
* 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, plus more to taste
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 2 pounds pork tenderloins
* 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
* 8 ounces greens, such as collard, kale, rainbow or mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 2 to 4 tablespoons good-quality cider vinegar or red wine vinegar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Coarsely chop the sage leaves. Cut the garlic into very thin slices.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large cast-iron or heatproof skillet over medium heat. Add the squash, then the sage, apple cider, water, sherry vinegar and season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine, then increase the heat to medium-high; bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the cider has reduced to the consistency of a glaze and the squash is fork-tender. Transfer to the stove top; taste and season the mixture with more salt and pepper as needed.

While the squash is in the oven, trim the tenderloins of silver skin and any excess fat. Cut the trimmed tenderloins into evenly sized medallions about 1 1/2 inches thick; shape them to a uniform size and season with salt and pepper; place on a plate.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil and the butter in a large saute pan or skillet over low heat, until the butter has melted. Add the garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the slices are golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the garlic to a small dish.

While the garlic is cooking, wash and dry the greens. Cut out and discard any tough center veins and stems, if desired. Tear or shred the leaves.

Increase the heat to medium and add the greens to the saute pan or skillet used to cook the garlic. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, just until wilted; use tongs to keep them moving. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, stirring to combine. Return the garlic slices to the pan or skillet and mix to incorporate. Sprinkle with the vinegar to taste, then transfer to a bowl.

Heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil in the same pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the medallions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork registers 150 on an instant-read thermometer. Return the garlic and greens to the pan or skillet, just to warm through.

When ready to serve, place a serving of greens, some of the squash and some pan juices on each plate, with a few of the medallions. Garnish with sage leaves, if desired; serve hot.
Recipe Source:

From Christopher Blobaum, executive chef of the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, S.C. As posted in the Washington Post.

Musings.

1. Why are you supposed to brush your teeth THEN floss? Logistically (yes, that's how I think about nearly everything), doesn't it make more sense to pick the schtuff outta your teeth with the floss and THEN to clean it all away by brushing?

2. I really like going to the Farmer's Market. Ann Arbor's is particularly wonderful. I just hate that you have to go so stinkin' early to get the best goods. Boo on weekend mornings!

3. Angelo's is just as good as I remembered it!!!

4. So, I'm applying for a job at REI. What are the chances that I'll actually bring any of my paycheck home, cute lil' Gearhead that I am?!

5. I've been here just over two weeks and I've already got part-time jobs lined up, some volunteer work, and a couple of races planned. Whoooo-eeee!

6. My nephew is indeed a-DOR-able!!! And he loves him some Auntie Hannah. Just sayin'...

7. I'm really not a fan of winter & it's fast approaching. Whatever happened to the Indian Summers of my youth?! Me who just donated my parka and down vest. Boo to winter!

8. Could it be that I'm actually thinking about staying in MI longer than just the end of the year? Egads. Who'da thunk?

9. Not being at the NYC Marathon this year is gonna be hard. So many friends running and working...and I don't get to come in to play. Boo on having no social life.

...but things are otherwise great!!! ;)

Oh dear. Please remove my computer...or block Coonhound rescue sites.

'Cuz I can't stop browsing. I'm still on the Coonies...haven't even touched the Bloodhound or Dobie sites.

And I want him. REALLY want him (even though I'm not a fan of the name). Gawd, he's GORGEOUS.

And there's Moose. I've been watching Moose for a while. Classic Coonie, just the way I love 'em.

If you like Rhodesian Ridgebacks (yes, a hound), then Ike is a very Rhodesian-lookin' boy. Talk about athletic!!

As goofy lookin', tooooootally houndy (in this case Bloodhound) pups go, Quigley is the perfect example of goofy hound. Look at the jowls!!!!

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Finally, because I truly love this organization, check out Toby (if only I currently had no dogs!!), Jake (ooooo - overgrown pup!), and Peyton (I love his - too intense? - stare).

If a certain Ms. Petunia had a link I could find, I'd also let you know about one of my favoritest rescue cases ever - the lovely, tiger-bodied (not color, just the walk) Petunia, one of the dollbabiest Pitties ever. See, I DO like girl dogs!!!

"Is our treatment of coonhounds a measure of our moral progress?"

I'm really good at torturing myself. How? Well, I'm NOT currently looking for any canine additions to my "pack," but, from time to time, I'll swing by a Coonhound rescue site to see what dogs are looking for forever homes.

Most of y'all know that I'm a sucka for a hound, particularly a classic-looking Coonie - think big, huge Bloodhound-y head, with massive ears and a big, blocky body (like this delicious beast). A lot of the dogs on the CoonhoundRescue.com site are just that...so, even though I say that I'll probably never have another hound and that my "next dog" will be a red male Dobie, who really knows what'll happen.

So, to torture myself, I went to the site today - it's rainy in Michigan and I'm just websurfing. The webmaster had posted this article and I feel it important to share.

While I think "coonhound" could be replaced in the article for many different breeds (or humans!), the article IS appropriate for a lot of the southern U.S. where hounds and hound mixes are predominant. (Sure, I could insert here how there are some rescue groups in NY who are importing hounds to the NY area and how that's irresponsible...but, well, I'll save that soapbox for another rainy day.) Americans think of pretty much everything as disposable, even our animals, and it DOES speak to our moral turpitude. The Coonhound that inspired this article is indicative of not just American selective blindness (think post-Katrina aftermath, no?), but just how trusting and willing to forgive rescued - or wanting-to-be-rescued - animals can be (another soapbox, I know, I know).

No, I know the entire population isn't corrupt. Get it. I know a slew of folks who could never, ever in a gazillion years be blind to the kind of suffering this sweet Coonie was showing - whether it was human or canine. Equally, however, I know folks who would never give two shits. I would only ask that we ALL keep our eyes open...and do what we can to alleviate suffering.

My answer to the question posed? Yes. Yes, our treatment of coonhounds is indeed a measure of our moral progress.

I'm so self-centered...

All I can do for the last day or so is stalk friends on Facebook (update your status already!!!) and scan for any mention of, you know, ME!

So, one of my long-standing Jen friends (I know a LOTTA Jens) changed her status to this last night:

Jennifer B is thinking about how even on Facebook, Hannah Ashmore is still the most social person she knows...

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH.

I've known this particular Jen since I worked at Barnes and Noble part-time over a decade (scary!) ago. I had about a gazillion different social circles and I loved throwing parties to have everyone meet each other...the "I've heard SO MUCH about you-s" were rampant. Pat on the back me!

And, yes, I fully realize that not much has changed...I still have a gazillion social circles and things that I'm doing!

smooches,
socialite h

So going back to the late 80s...

My mom and one of her best friends are helping me earn my 'allowance' while I'm hanging' out. Huh? Well, while I'm figuring out where I want to go next and what job will take me there, I'm trying to find ways to make some $$. Not knowing how long I'll be here, it's a tad difficult to plan on much other than odd jobs...or retail. (Aaaahhhhhh!)

So, I'm gonna do some winter prep yardwork for both my mom and her best friend. How funny is that? Soooooo totally like getting an allowance for doing my chores. I'm just a little older, a little wiser, and actually looking FORWARD to spending time playing in the dirt!!!!

Yep, gardening is one of the things I've missed most. Yard work, here I come!!!

Say YES! to Michigan!

So, I'm here.

So far, nothing crazy happening...thank Gawd! I've been catching up on sleep - I've never met a more comfortable Aero Bed, but, then, I think I could sleep on a plank and be out for hours at this point. The basement (nope, haven't been locked in yet :) ) is lovely and dark, so I can sleep, truly, as much or as late as I like. I love retirement.

The dogs? Love it. New smells, lots of open space to run, stairs to fly up - and down!, more people they know to love them. Sure, they're still getting used to not being allowed on the furniture, but if that's the worst of their new situation then it can't be horrible, right?

The drive? Wasn't so bad. Long and VERY boring...not a 'good' radio station to be found ANYwhere in Pennsylvania. And I had no idea just how rural or hilly PA is! Horrible on the gas mileage. The dogs were AMAZING and so much better than I expected. They were so tired from 2 days of barking as we loaded the truck that they crashed for nearly all 600 miles. The cab was a lot higher than usual - in my brand new Budget truck!!, so 'twas a learning experience in trust for all of us.

Other than a minor wrong turn just before Toledo that got me using my CrackBerry's GPS and mapping function, and then exiting an exit too late off I-94 in Ypsi, we made it here in excellent time and shape. Truck got off-loaded Thursday and returned Friday. And, no, NO MORE TRUCK DRIVING. For quite some time.

Now it's time to figure out what I want to do professionally. More on that...

musings. i'm still procrastinating...

1. 2 days left in NYC and, yes, I'm not finished packing. And I worked the last 2 days on a (crazy) event...that left me super exhausted and, still, unpacked.

2. I'm so very, terribly, utterly ready to leave NYC. I'll miss my friends, public transportation, and the convenience of having anything you want whenever you want however you want. But that's it. Is that a lot?

3. I don't want to drive a truck again for a long, long, long time. After (barely) clipping another truck's mirror in DC, to a 1,200 mile long-haul in a 24-footer from DC to New Orleans, to - essentially - living in the cab of a 15-footer for the last 2 days, to, yes, taking care of my own move to Michigan (10-12 hours in a 16-footer with 100 lbs-worth of dog)...I have come to the conclusion that I'm not interested in being a long-haul trucker. Ever.

4. As much as it makes me nutso, I do love the event world. There's something bonding about being up all night, working your ass off, being soaking wet (sweat or rain), having dirty fingernails, playing with 'snips' and leathermen, having a crap-tacular event tan (think worse than farmer's)...the list could go on.

5. I have really great friends.

6. Coming out of semi-retirement is gonna be difficult. Especially as I'm heading into a true, indefinite period of retirement while I'm hanging out with the madre. Although, there are many odd jobs I could (and probably will) do, not knowing how long I'll be there makes decision-making difficult.

7. I was pulled over (in a truck) for the first time in nearly 10 years recently...and I haven't been that flustered or pee-my-pants nervous in a really long time.

8. I've been obsessing about what squirrel poop looks like. Anyone know? You see bum poo, dog poo, cat poo, and bird poo all the time. I've seen horse, elephant, sheep, goat, camel, and more. But I have no idea what squirrel poo looks like.

9. I'm tired. Really, really tired. Ok. Gotta go pack.

First goodbye - check!

My first goodbye was sprung upon me today. I get back from a grueling trip to DC by way of New Orleans (long story - ask if you dare :) ), to go play with My Main Man (MMM), Humphrey, Thursday morning. Get there, hangin' out, being smooched by a 2 1/2 year old Golden, and his dad (Linc) happens to let it slip that they're taking BACK off to the Adirondacks for another 10 days.

WHAT????

So, the tears immediately appear. And I cry the entire time Humph-a-dunk and I are out wandering the wilds of the UWS. MMM is being super patient and snuggly with me, trying to figure out what's going on.

It was a sudden rrrrrrrip of a goodbye, but, I can't lie, methinks it was actually less painful than saying little goodbyes for the next week.

That Linc is a good man...and a great friend. I'll miss him and our political chats just as much as I'll miss his lunk of a pooch!

Keepin' it real.

So, why is it that it's the most mundane of tasks that makes a move feel real? Changing my address for magazines and cancelling my gym membership made me feel like I'm moving.

Crap. I'm moving!