Hey All,
I am still in shock about how tough and long last week happened to be. It ended on a good note with a cello lesson, even if it got off to an interesting start with my teacher on one floor and me on another.
Over the weekend, I finished the planting area. It is not particularly photogenic, yet, and I might very well add some additional mulch. I just have to think about it a bit more. Some how, a week ago Saturday, I got a very bad case of poison ivy that was not diagnosed until Friday. So I am doing my best not to itch, keep it clean, and hope not everyone notices it. It is bad enough that I will likely still be recovering at a conference in a few weeks. I can only hope the weather will be cool and then I can justify long sleeves for everything but workouts.
Speaking of which, I did a short workout tonight. I did a bit on my exercise bike and most of it on my armless elliptical. It felt really good - short, slow, but good. I am beginning to think I need to place posts about starting something on Mondays and getting lots of sleep to make things happen. Tomorrow I will likely drag a bit, but that is life.
We have a tradition in our family of getting in touch on birthdays. I usually choose to spend mine away from where I live with my immediate. Another tradition is to sing. So, today I recorded my current rendition of Happy Birthday for a family member. It was not perfect and it took 12 recordings, before I considered it acceptable. At least I know how to improve for the next birthday!
A week from Thursday, I will head out with colleagues to Milwaukee. It will be my first visit to that fair city and we are driving to Muskegon, Michigan, and then taking a ferry to/from Milwaukee. It makes the most sense and, because we have 3 people and one car, the price is cheaper than flying, driving, or taking the train. I love boats and oh am I excited.
Happy Monday, All! I hope you are able to have a smooth week!
Monday, September 23, 2019
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
10 Things Playing Cello and Promotion Systems Have Taught Me
Hi All,
It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but oh was attending my first trio performance delightful! I have no regrets..ok, so reacting badly to Icelandic yoghurt is something I could handle not repeating in the future. Thankfully, I had most of my stuff put together and submitted for the deadline, before two people took one look at me and said, "You look really sick and you need to go home - now." So I did on mid-afternoon on Monday and, although I was 90% back to normal on Tuesday, my strength completely returned to day.
So here are 10 things promotion and tenure systems and playing cello have taught me. I did not list this below, but it does fit with playing any large instrument. Never ever turn down an offer to open the door for you, when carrying a cello! Instead, thank the person profusely, smile, and get through the door as expediently and safely as you can!. These are not provided in any particular order.
10. Rejections hurt. This could be a poster or paper submission to present at a conference. This could be a manuscript or book proposal submission. It could be the end of a friendship or relationship. It could be an unjust accusation. Bottom line - they all hurt. Try not to dwell on them overly long. Glean what you can and move forward, folks! Some have suggested 24-48 hours of wallow time. I am not sure how much wallow time works for you (or me), but the point is to acknowledge the pain but do not let is stall you into complete inactivity.
9. Practice, Practice, Practice - It cannot be overstated! I say this to faculty member, who get frustrated when the answer does not immediately appear. My cello teacher says this to me, when I get annoyed at how my finger refuse to cooperate. Or my bad habits of weeks 1 and 2 resurface in week 8. If you want to be proficient at anything, you must practice.
8. Everything happens for a reason, even if you never learn what the reason happens to be. Today, I heard that a program I created, recruited, and moderated for the past two years will re-enter the "submission" stage for the annual conference I attend most years. It's not that the program is bad or e even unsuccessful. The conference planners think it is a good idea to review all submissions. So - as recruitment ramps up - I am going to keep this in mind so that I can work with future leaders to build on the 2020 successes and, we hope, keep the program going in 2021.
7. Find people who support but challenge you. I am fortunate to have a professional mentor, who knows the system, and also feels comfortable challenging my ideas and aspirations. By challenging my ideas, this person encourages me to rethink how I allocate my time at all levels (department, college, university, local, regional, national). It assists me in trying new activities, which could further my professional development. I do very well with a hands-off, experienced, but opinionated mentor. I have enough energy, even when my reserves are running low, to keep up a good appearance. I frequently lack the confidence and experience about when to jump ship. It is at times like this, when I ask these advisers, who know me and the situation, to provide input.
6. Bug bites hurt. Right now, my go-to method for getting rid of bug bites is not working. Being me, I looked up any potential issue this reaction could be. Sometimes, my profession is not a good thing. I will give it until Friday morning, most likely, before I call the doctor to get some ideas. I have not had such a serious reaction for 2 years and I would rather not have a severely swollen arm before I deal with it.
5. Callouses show dedication. I am continually amazed by how quickly I develop callouses on my fingers from playing cello. Yes, I developed them from violin, but they feel quite different from cello. I am finally developing fourth finger (pinkie) callouses! Right now, they are not appearing as I think they should and so I will refocus my efforts on correct finger placement and technique. Still - developing a callous is better than not having a callous at all.
4. I am placing a moratorium on races. I last raced in June. I really reacted badly post-race. Then, in preparing for a different race, I did a speed workout and again reacted badly. In mid August, I was once again running consistently. Between busy, long, and stressful weeks - I have not done any running in about 8 weeks and I did not run or even walk a 5k for which I was registered last weekend. I am officially placing a moratorium on singing up for races, until I get really excited. Then, I have to be able to have consistent training - including speed workouts and runs over 4 miles -after which I do not feel horrible for an extended period of time. This could mean I do not re-up my membership to running groups, but I am not making that decision just yet.
3. I love landscaping and yard work. I have been spending more time attempting to do some things with my yard. Not all my attempts have yielded what I hoped, but I am loving it, especially when I gave myself permission to focus on it and not also try to build-in a consistent running schedule (see 4 for details). I am building different kinds of muscles. I am learning just how annoying tree roots can be. I also learned that I am not as allergic to tiny bee looking insect as I was in my early years. Then again - I appear to be really allergic to this bug/spider bite (see 6 for details).
2. Place your time and effort where it counts. I had a giant deadline on Monday. So giant - in fact - that I put many things on hold and I spent hours the past two weekends and on many weekday evenings putting things in order. Despite being more organized this year, I changed up my schedule enough that I had to put in time during the non-work hours. I prioritized deadlines that discussed scholarly activities, dealt with patient care (how to treat a patient, move forward with a research project, etc). I did not focus as much time on entering how many customer requests I handle on a daily and monthly basis. I did focus on getting and giving the best presentations I could to faculty, staff, and students. I also focused on projects, which I knew would bring faculty, staff, and students to the library. I am aware that I will likely take some heat for this. I have the data to support my decisions. My biggest goal for 2019-2020 is to focus my efforts on what will help me develop as a professional but also make me happy.
1. I am delaying when I go up for promotion. At various times I have whined, grumbled, bemoaned, dreaded, and even believed I would not get promotion or tenure (This is a status, which is hard to get, that provide a level of stability in Academia). I have published, presented, and taught enough that I will be successful for promotion and tenure. January-last Thursday, I was debating. Do I go up early and see if that will improve my interactions with colleagues? Do I wait, because then I will have been here a full five years? I discussed it with my mentor and I decided to wait and declare my intention to go-up in March 2021. This gives me time to take and enjoy a trip to Italy in March 2020. It means that I can get more experience with conducting various types of research and I can get another article or two written- up and (I hope) published. I can make a compelling case, when I ask for external reviewers to support my application for promotion and tenure. It was hard to reach this decision, but I trust my mentor and I did feel a sense of relief, once I we reached the decision.
Happy Wednesday all - I hope you are doing well. Next time, I will try to have an exciting picture to share.
It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but oh was attending my first trio performance delightful! I have no regrets..ok, so reacting badly to Icelandic yoghurt is something I could handle not repeating in the future. Thankfully, I had most of my stuff put together and submitted for the deadline, before two people took one look at me and said, "You look really sick and you need to go home - now." So I did on mid-afternoon on Monday and, although I was 90% back to normal on Tuesday, my strength completely returned to day.
So here are 10 things promotion and tenure systems and playing cello have taught me. I did not list this below, but it does fit with playing any large instrument. Never ever turn down an offer to open the door for you, when carrying a cello! Instead, thank the person profusely, smile, and get through the door as expediently and safely as you can!. These are not provided in any particular order.
10. Rejections hurt. This could be a poster or paper submission to present at a conference. This could be a manuscript or book proposal submission. It could be the end of a friendship or relationship. It could be an unjust accusation. Bottom line - they all hurt. Try not to dwell on them overly long. Glean what you can and move forward, folks! Some have suggested 24-48 hours of wallow time. I am not sure how much wallow time works for you (or me), but the point is to acknowledge the pain but do not let is stall you into complete inactivity.
9. Practice, Practice, Practice - It cannot be overstated! I say this to faculty member, who get frustrated when the answer does not immediately appear. My cello teacher says this to me, when I get annoyed at how my finger refuse to cooperate. Or my bad habits of weeks 1 and 2 resurface in week 8. If you want to be proficient at anything, you must practice.
8. Everything happens for a reason, even if you never learn what the reason happens to be. Today, I heard that a program I created, recruited, and moderated for the past two years will re-enter the "submission" stage for the annual conference I attend most years. It's not that the program is bad or e even unsuccessful. The conference planners think it is a good idea to review all submissions. So - as recruitment ramps up - I am going to keep this in mind so that I can work with future leaders to build on the 2020 successes and, we hope, keep the program going in 2021.
7. Find people who support but challenge you. I am fortunate to have a professional mentor, who knows the system, and also feels comfortable challenging my ideas and aspirations. By challenging my ideas, this person encourages me to rethink how I allocate my time at all levels (department, college, university, local, regional, national). It assists me in trying new activities, which could further my professional development. I do very well with a hands-off, experienced, but opinionated mentor. I have enough energy, even when my reserves are running low, to keep up a good appearance. I frequently lack the confidence and experience about when to jump ship. It is at times like this, when I ask these advisers, who know me and the situation, to provide input.
6. Bug bites hurt. Right now, my go-to method for getting rid of bug bites is not working. Being me, I looked up any potential issue this reaction could be. Sometimes, my profession is not a good thing. I will give it until Friday morning, most likely, before I call the doctor to get some ideas. I have not had such a serious reaction for 2 years and I would rather not have a severely swollen arm before I deal with it.
5. Callouses show dedication. I am continually amazed by how quickly I develop callouses on my fingers from playing cello. Yes, I developed them from violin, but they feel quite different from cello. I am finally developing fourth finger (pinkie) callouses! Right now, they are not appearing as I think they should and so I will refocus my efforts on correct finger placement and technique. Still - developing a callous is better than not having a callous at all.
4. I am placing a moratorium on races. I last raced in June. I really reacted badly post-race. Then, in preparing for a different race, I did a speed workout and again reacted badly. In mid August, I was once again running consistently. Between busy, long, and stressful weeks - I have not done any running in about 8 weeks and I did not run or even walk a 5k for which I was registered last weekend. I am officially placing a moratorium on singing up for races, until I get really excited. Then, I have to be able to have consistent training - including speed workouts and runs over 4 miles -after which I do not feel horrible for an extended period of time. This could mean I do not re-up my membership to running groups, but I am not making that decision just yet.
3. I love landscaping and yard work. I have been spending more time attempting to do some things with my yard. Not all my attempts have yielded what I hoped, but I am loving it, especially when I gave myself permission to focus on it and not also try to build-in a consistent running schedule (see 4 for details). I am building different kinds of muscles. I am learning just how annoying tree roots can be. I also learned that I am not as allergic to tiny bee looking insect as I was in my early years. Then again - I appear to be really allergic to this bug/spider bite (see 6 for details).
2. Place your time and effort where it counts. I had a giant deadline on Monday. So giant - in fact - that I put many things on hold and I spent hours the past two weekends and on many weekday evenings putting things in order. Despite being more organized this year, I changed up my schedule enough that I had to put in time during the non-work hours. I prioritized deadlines that discussed scholarly activities, dealt with patient care (how to treat a patient, move forward with a research project, etc). I did not focus as much time on entering how many customer requests I handle on a daily and monthly basis. I did focus on getting and giving the best presentations I could to faculty, staff, and students. I also focused on projects, which I knew would bring faculty, staff, and students to the library. I am aware that I will likely take some heat for this. I have the data to support my decisions. My biggest goal for 2019-2020 is to focus my efforts on what will help me develop as a professional but also make me happy.
1. I am delaying when I go up for promotion. At various times I have whined, grumbled, bemoaned, dreaded, and even believed I would not get promotion or tenure (This is a status, which is hard to get, that provide a level of stability in Academia). I have published, presented, and taught enough that I will be successful for promotion and tenure. January-last Thursday, I was debating. Do I go up early and see if that will improve my interactions with colleagues? Do I wait, because then I will have been here a full five years? I discussed it with my mentor and I decided to wait and declare my intention to go-up in March 2021. This gives me time to take and enjoy a trip to Italy in March 2020. It means that I can get more experience with conducting various types of research and I can get another article or two written- up and (I hope) published. I can make a compelling case, when I ask for external reviewers to support my application for promotion and tenure. It was hard to reach this decision, but I trust my mentor and I did feel a sense of relief, once I we reached the decision.
Happy Wednesday all - I hope you are doing well. Next time, I will try to have an exciting picture to share.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Catching up Pre Labor Day, Post Labor Day, and Mosquito Fodder (aka Me)
Hello, All!
The last few weeks have been incredibly busy, but they have been equally rewarding. Below are some bullet points with highlights:
The last few weeks have been incredibly busy, but they have been equally rewarding. Below are some bullet points with highlights:
- Of the 175 new students, I have met with all but 45 in the last few weeks and most of the 45 have scheduled appointments with me. I think this new session is working - yes, it is required, but they get to choose the time and it is only 15 minutes. I hope the 30 minute session goes equally well!
- I am reviewing and submitting the revisions and proofs for my upcoming article. It should be out around September 15th or so. I have some people, who were instrumental in making it happy or who keep up with my research, and I will share copies with them. If you want one, let me know.
- The next giant deadline is September 16th. Between now and then, I will be busy but also finding fun in playing cello, trying new things, and finishing up projects.
- Fall is here and I am so excited! It is by far my favorite season, which is followed by winter, and then Spring. Summer is not so much fun, because it is so hot! I am thrilled to live in a four season part of the world.
- I took an extended Labor Day Holiday and started adjusting my schedule, again, two weeks ago. I think this last schedule will work, even if it involves scrambling a bit more on early meeting days.
Labor Day was amazing - good food, great company, and fantastic conversations. Yes, the driving was a bit more than I usually do, but it was totally worth it. I returned refreshed and ready to tackle things.
Meanwhile, I worked on my flower bed on Saturday and I made great progress. I also discovered that tree roots are problematic but I am taking it in stride. Tonight, using my running headlamp, in finished all but the last 2-2.5 feet and became mosquito fodder in the process. I have so many bites that I will be wearing sleeves and sweaters in hopes of escaping notice by the students, faculty, and staff I will see tomorrow. Once the planter is done, I will post pictures to instagram (@runningwithallergies).
Besides that, I am looking forward to a trio concert this weekend and I am excited to get back into regular posting. I am either running or run/walking a 5k this weekend. It benefits a student group and, three years ago, it is the first race I completed, after moving to the area and starting my current job. Oh how time does fly!
Happy Tuesday, All!
Meanwhile, I worked on my flower bed on Saturday and I made great progress. I also discovered that tree roots are problematic but I am taking it in stride. Tonight, using my running headlamp, in finished all but the last 2-2.5 feet and became mosquito fodder in the process. I have so many bites that I will be wearing sleeves and sweaters in hopes of escaping notice by the students, faculty, and staff I will see tomorrow. Once the planter is done, I will post pictures to instagram (@runningwithallergies).
Besides that, I am looking forward to a trio concert this weekend and I am excited to get back into regular posting. I am either running or run/walking a 5k this weekend. It benefits a student group and, three years ago, it is the first race I completed, after moving to the area and starting my current job. Oh how time does fly!
Happy Tuesday, All!
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Changing Schedules, Parking Lots, and the Excitement Continues
Hi All,
Saturday, instead of running the 5 mile race, I slept a lot and did not get out of PJs all day. Does this seem a bit surprising given all that had gone well? Perhaps - my body really wants 9 hours of sleep and it protests loudly, after a short period of time, if it does not get them. I did a bit more on Sunday, but I was pretty lazy last weekend.
I decided to start changing my schedule again effective today. It will take a bit longer to accomplish, but this one seems to be working better already. Why am I so schedule based? Truth be told - I really prefer unscheduled weekends, but the schedule assists with managing the chronic disease. I did have another energy drop, but I am still doing far better than I was even two months ago. So when I have no desire to run or I get fed up with how little I have gotten done, this is what I remember.
Tomorrow, the remaining students return to both campuses for Orientation and to begin the new semester. This means the lovely and wide open parking lot will become a nightmare shortly 8:15 am every morning. It also means that you can circle up to an hour with no luck, if parking after that time period, and arriving to the lot around 10 am. So I plan to begin parking in the public lot and taking the tunnels to my office or walking outside, if the weather permits, because that bugs me less than going around in circles. I never said it made sense, but this is me, folks!
I learned, lasts Thursday evening, that my article was accepted for publication. After making the few required edits, I resubmitted it on Friday. I expect that it will be available shortly after Labor Day. Although it was not the most exciting of projects, it should assist in the accreditation report and visit scheduled for the college I support in April 2020.
I taking a long Labor Day weekend and oh am I excited. So - yes - expect the post that week to be on a Wednesday or Thursday. Cello continues to be fun and challenging. I am supposed to see if I can find the similarities between running and non-cello hobbies. I have my work cut out for me, but it keeps me smiling. I also rediscovered how rusty my base clef knowledge happens to be. So I need to brush up on that!
Happy Tuesday.
Saturday, instead of running the 5 mile race, I slept a lot and did not get out of PJs all day. Does this seem a bit surprising given all that had gone well? Perhaps - my body really wants 9 hours of sleep and it protests loudly, after a short period of time, if it does not get them. I did a bit more on Sunday, but I was pretty lazy last weekend.
I decided to start changing my schedule again effective today. It will take a bit longer to accomplish, but this one seems to be working better already. Why am I so schedule based? Truth be told - I really prefer unscheduled weekends, but the schedule assists with managing the chronic disease. I did have another energy drop, but I am still doing far better than I was even two months ago. So when I have no desire to run or I get fed up with how little I have gotten done, this is what I remember.
Tomorrow, the remaining students return to both campuses for Orientation and to begin the new semester. This means the lovely and wide open parking lot will become a nightmare shortly 8:15 am every morning. It also means that you can circle up to an hour with no luck, if parking after that time period, and arriving to the lot around 10 am. So I plan to begin parking in the public lot and taking the tunnels to my office or walking outside, if the weather permits, because that bugs me less than going around in circles. I never said it made sense, but this is me, folks!
I learned, lasts Thursday evening, that my article was accepted for publication. After making the few required edits, I resubmitted it on Friday. I expect that it will be available shortly after Labor Day. Although it was not the most exciting of projects, it should assist in the accreditation report and visit scheduled for the college I support in April 2020.
I taking a long Labor Day weekend and oh am I excited. So - yes - expect the post that week to be on a Wednesday or Thursday. Cello continues to be fun and challenging. I am supposed to see if I can find the similarities between running and non-cello hobbies. I have my work cut out for me, but it keeps me smiling. I also rediscovered how rusty my base clef knowledge happens to be. So I need to brush up on that!
Happy Tuesday.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Circumstances can make you or break you; Change in Plan for Saturday; Happy First Week of Classes!
Hi All,
Today I gave a bit of a gutsy presentation. In some ways, I am a bit of a chicken professionally. You might not think this, because I usually have multiple projects going and I am full of ideas. When it comes to a tough issue, I try to deal with it but also not alienate people. By tackling both reproducibility and the unreliable aspects of impact factor (a common way to evaluate the quality of journals), I was sticking my neck out this morning. Thankfully, the attendees were respectful and they asked good questions. I am not sure what, if anything, will change, but at least they have an idea of what I think. And I might go down in history as the App librarian. So be it. Some circumstances can either make you or break you and I know that, if I had not experienced the stress of tenure, I could not have done this presentation as effectively today.
I decided to do just the 5 miler on Saturday. I could have continued with my original plan, but I would have been pushing my limits. So I backed down and, depending on how it goes, I may start looking at half marathon races. Having guests in town was really fun, but oh am I tired and off schedule. That's ok.
The first week of classes is almost over and so far my revamped program for meeting with students is going well. I hope it continues to go smoothly as I have 173 students to meet between now and September 20th!
My apologies for the tardy write-up and, yes, I will recount the good, bad, and the ugly of what happens on Saturday.
Happy Thursday (almost Friday) all!
Today I gave a bit of a gutsy presentation. In some ways, I am a bit of a chicken professionally. You might not think this, because I usually have multiple projects going and I am full of ideas. When it comes to a tough issue, I try to deal with it but also not alienate people. By tackling both reproducibility and the unreliable aspects of impact factor (a common way to evaluate the quality of journals), I was sticking my neck out this morning. Thankfully, the attendees were respectful and they asked good questions. I am not sure what, if anything, will change, but at least they have an idea of what I think. And I might go down in history as the App librarian. So be it. Some circumstances can either make you or break you and I know that, if I had not experienced the stress of tenure, I could not have done this presentation as effectively today.
I decided to do just the 5 miler on Saturday. I could have continued with my original plan, but I would have been pushing my limits. So I backed down and, depending on how it goes, I may start looking at half marathon races. Having guests in town was really fun, but oh am I tired and off schedule. That's ok.
The first week of classes is almost over and so far my revamped program for meeting with students is going well. I hope it continues to go smoothly as I have 173 students to meet between now and September 20th!
My apologies for the tardy write-up and, yes, I will recount the good, bad, and the ugly of what happens on Saturday.
Happy Thursday (almost Friday) all!
Monday, August 5, 2019
Monday, Monday, I might be crazy; Dayton Tragedy, Return of Students
Hi All,
I think I might be starting a Monday trend of blogging. For whatever reason, most Saturdays I end up doing lot of things and then crashing (literally as in yesterday) on Sunday. So if you here from me on Mondays, this would be why. It is rather nice to start the week with a recap of what happened (or didn't) the previous week.
On Friday, I signed up for a race in Jackson, Michigan. It is "Running of the Vines," and it is coordinated by the group, who puts on "Run Woodstock" each year. The crazy part is that I signed up to do both the 5k and 5 miler back-to-back. I can easily fit the time requirement for the 5k, which I plan to use as my warm-up, and then I will survive and maybe push the 5 miler pace a bit. Yes, I could be a bit crazy, but the prizes are wine, chocolate, cheese, and cider. Um, doesn't that sound fun to you? Or perhaps this is another crazy Margaret idea. We shall see. Recap to come post race and, when I hope to still be walking/running normally, on 19 August 2019.
And I hit my highest mileage in months last week, when I ran every other day (Saturday-Friday). I proceeded to crash on Saturday and I ended up napping a bit on Sunday. My electric company did not listen to my numerous calls an so I had to pay the whopper of a bill. It was 78 in my house on Sunday and maybe I will use that as my excuse for napping. I was also whipped, but that would be due to pushing the new schedule/how late can I stay up and maintain it boundaries. Oh well...I am adjusting to the new schedule and it really does work better, when I just stay up instead of going back to sleep and then getting up again a few hours later. That might be part of why I felt lousy Saturday and napped on Sunday.
I am in shock - still - about the Dayton shooting. Dayton is primarily south and a little west of where I live, but it feels close. Someone, who I dated for almost a year, is from that area and I "sort of know" someone else, who is safe. I feel awful about the shooting and I can only hope it is a wake-up call for the legislators. Something needs to change, because such tragedies are occurring far more than they should, which in my opinion should be never. I respect trained officials, who know firearm safety and need to protection for the positions they hold, but I have issues with an ordinary citizen owning a firearm for safety. I understand the Second Amendent and the right to own arms, but I still think we could and should be doing a better job.
Onto a more fun topic, the students begin returning today and Orientation kicks off on Wednesday. The next 8-10 weeks are going to be busy but oh so fun. I love the students, even when I begin to feel like I am dinosaur, but that's life. I have a dinosaur slide and I might just use it, when I facilitate my sessions this Fall.
Happy Monday - Stay Safe and, if you have loved ones in Dayton, know that they are in my thoughts.
I think I might be starting a Monday trend of blogging. For whatever reason, most Saturdays I end up doing lot of things and then crashing (literally as in yesterday) on Sunday. So if you here from me on Mondays, this would be why. It is rather nice to start the week with a recap of what happened (or didn't) the previous week.
On Friday, I signed up for a race in Jackson, Michigan. It is "Running of the Vines," and it is coordinated by the group, who puts on "Run Woodstock" each year. The crazy part is that I signed up to do both the 5k and 5 miler back-to-back. I can easily fit the time requirement for the 5k, which I plan to use as my warm-up, and then I will survive and maybe push the 5 miler pace a bit. Yes, I could be a bit crazy, but the prizes are wine, chocolate, cheese, and cider. Um, doesn't that sound fun to you? Or perhaps this is another crazy Margaret idea. We shall see. Recap to come post race and, when I hope to still be walking/running normally, on 19 August 2019.
And I hit my highest mileage in months last week, when I ran every other day (Saturday-Friday). I proceeded to crash on Saturday and I ended up napping a bit on Sunday. My electric company did not listen to my numerous calls an so I had to pay the whopper of a bill. It was 78 in my house on Sunday and maybe I will use that as my excuse for napping. I was also whipped, but that would be due to pushing the new schedule/how late can I stay up and maintain it boundaries. Oh well...I am adjusting to the new schedule and it really does work better, when I just stay up instead of going back to sleep and then getting up again a few hours later. That might be part of why I felt lousy Saturday and napped on Sunday.
I am in shock - still - about the Dayton shooting. Dayton is primarily south and a little west of where I live, but it feels close. Someone, who I dated for almost a year, is from that area and I "sort of know" someone else, who is safe. I feel awful about the shooting and I can only hope it is a wake-up call for the legislators. Something needs to change, because such tragedies are occurring far more than they should, which in my opinion should be never. I respect trained officials, who know firearm safety and need to protection for the positions they hold, but I have issues with an ordinary citizen owning a firearm for safety. I understand the Second Amendent and the right to own arms, but I still think we could and should be doing a better job.
Onto a more fun topic, the students begin returning today and Orientation kicks off on Wednesday. The next 8-10 weeks are going to be busy but oh so fun. I love the students, even when I begin to feel like I am dinosaur, but that's life. I have a dinosaur slide and I might just use it, when I facilitate my sessions this Fall.
Happy Monday - Stay Safe and, if you have loved ones in Dayton, know that they are in my thoughts.
Monday, July 29, 2019
USATF Results, Day 3 of the New Schedule, and the Electric Bill (no photos, sorry!)
Hey All,
I don't know about you, but I was watching the USA Track and Field (USAs) Results (ok via Twitter, Instagram, online browsing) Thursday-this morning. Some highlights:
Benjamin Bruce competed for the 17th time in the USAs!
Kellyn Taylor made the podium for the 10k, which completely debunks the myth that Marathon Runners are slow and lack turnover speed.
Stephanie Bruce ramped up the 10k opening pace and then finished 4th in the 10k and 9th in the 5k. I just love watching the Hoka One One and especially the Hoke One One NAZ Elite runners compete - they give it everything in all the races, even if the distance is short!
If you need inspiration, watch the final kick (sprint) Molly Huddle uses to win the 10k.
Emma Coburn (steeplechase), Track Jenny (Jenny Simpson) - 1500 meters, Colleen Quigley - wow are these ladies talented and they will all be representing the US in Doha.
Congrats to all the coaches and athletes for competing in the USAs!
In non professional running news - I actually made it out for two runs (Saturday, this morning) and did 6 strides after each run. Am I slow? Yep. Is my running pain free right now? Yep. I also was put on 12 month recall to see the doctor, unless I am in dire pain, which is the best news I have gotten in a few months. I also had to admit that my pain tolerance is high. OOPs - I think that is part of being a runner, right?! Yes, dealing with a chronic illness is full of ups-and-downs, but a 12 month instead of a monthly recall is huge. I am also adjusting to a new schedule (day 3) and so far it is working, I think. I am just not thinking about holidays, conferences, or planned travel, when the schedule will not be feasible. It is just one of those things.
And I am going to throttle the electric company. My bill quadrupled and it is the highest bill I had since April 2017, when I purchased the house. It surpasses the installation of the heating/cooling system and, quite frankly, keeping the temperature on two floors at 76 degrees or even 78 should not trigger this cost. Watch out, electric company, I am coming for you.
Beyond that, life is moving along and I have another cello lesson with a different teacher tonight. I hope it goes well!
Happy Monday, All!
I don't know about you, but I was watching the USA Track and Field (USAs) Results (ok via Twitter, Instagram, online browsing) Thursday-this morning. Some highlights:
Benjamin Bruce competed for the 17th time in the USAs!
Kellyn Taylor made the podium for the 10k, which completely debunks the myth that Marathon Runners are slow and lack turnover speed.
Stephanie Bruce ramped up the 10k opening pace and then finished 4th in the 10k and 9th in the 5k. I just love watching the Hoka One One and especially the Hoke One One NAZ Elite runners compete - they give it everything in all the races, even if the distance is short!
If you need inspiration, watch the final kick (sprint) Molly Huddle uses to win the 10k.
Emma Coburn (steeplechase), Track Jenny (Jenny Simpson) - 1500 meters, Colleen Quigley - wow are these ladies talented and they will all be representing the US in Doha.
Congrats to all the coaches and athletes for competing in the USAs!
In non professional running news - I actually made it out for two runs (Saturday, this morning) and did 6 strides after each run. Am I slow? Yep. Is my running pain free right now? Yep. I also was put on 12 month recall to see the doctor, unless I am in dire pain, which is the best news I have gotten in a few months. I also had to admit that my pain tolerance is high. OOPs - I think that is part of being a runner, right?! Yes, dealing with a chronic illness is full of ups-and-downs, but a 12 month instead of a monthly recall is huge. I am also adjusting to a new schedule (day 3) and so far it is working, I think. I am just not thinking about holidays, conferences, or planned travel, when the schedule will not be feasible. It is just one of those things.
And I am going to throttle the electric company. My bill quadrupled and it is the highest bill I had since April 2017, when I purchased the house. It surpasses the installation of the heating/cooling system and, quite frankly, keeping the temperature on two floors at 76 degrees or even 78 should not trigger this cost. Watch out, electric company, I am coming for you.
Beyond that, life is moving along and I have another cello lesson with a different teacher tonight. I hope it goes well!
Happy Monday, All!
Saturday, July 20, 2019
It's hot (My DC sibling confirmed it!) and Moratorium (possibly forever) on Weekend Working.
Hi All -
Yep, your jaws are on the floor and, yes, this is the second post in a week. I would not hold your breath or count on this happening anytime in the near future, because it probably will not.
So...I ordered some rabbit running apparel and, when it arrived, I had to try it. It was so pretty and, while the shorts are bit shorter and snugger than I imagined, I love them both. I now have 4 pieces of Rabbit apparel and I love them all! For awhile, Oiselle stuff worked and, what I have and use, I do enjoy. Rabbit, however, is winning me over slowly but surely. I can hardly wait until I am back in tip-top shape, because then all my running gear will fit perfectly. I originally set a goal of July 4th to be comfortable in everything. I am making progress but I have had some setbacks. So my new goal is Labor Day. If I make it, great - but I am not adding it to the, "things I should stress out about" list.
Today I am officially declaring a moratorium on weekend working. If I have a contract assignment, then I will work evenings (and weekends when I must) to complete it and still keep on track with sleep hygiene. For the past three years, however, I have worked most Saturdays, Sunday, or both days and it is time to say, "good bye," to this lifestyle. I am cranky at work. I have less focus and concentration. Now - however - I have made enough progress that this is no longer a "must." My sanity and ability to keep a cheery outlook, however, are a must. I am hoping that, if I ever enter a PhD program, I can avoid working most (if not all weekends). I might also be dreaming.
Meanwhile...after 3 days in the office, I got to the appropriate time marker on my Water Bottle (the gallon one with goofy/encouraging sayings." I am not committed to doing this every day or even most days, but I am glad to be staying more hydrated than I was. It also made running in the "hot" temperatures not so awful. Today, the heat index makes it 102 degress here and my DC sibling says it is ok to call it, "hot." After living for many years in DC and Missouri, I know how to handle heat but I don't like it. Given that "90" is a heat wave, which only occurs for a few days or maybe two weeks, where I currently live, I really try not to mutter about the weather.
Yesterday, I learned to "hug" my cello and I actually feel as if I am improving. After contacting a teacher and getting in touch with someone, who might know a teacher, I can likely avoid the disaster that was last Saturday.
My lawn is cut and the sky is blue with few clouds. The laundry is almost done and the dishes are clean and put away. Today is both a gorgeous and productive day. Not all days or weekends are like this, but oh do I appreciate the ones that are! And..of course...I have to share flower blooms. One is "a" transplant. Texting and Instagram captions are not my friends. Oh well...
Yep, your jaws are on the floor and, yes, this is the second post in a week. I would not hold your breath or count on this happening anytime in the near future, because it probably will not.
So...I ordered some rabbit running apparel and, when it arrived, I had to try it. It was so pretty and, while the shorts are bit shorter and snugger than I imagined, I love them both. I now have 4 pieces of Rabbit apparel and I love them all! For awhile, Oiselle stuff worked and, what I have and use, I do enjoy. Rabbit, however, is winning me over slowly but surely. I can hardly wait until I am back in tip-top shape, because then all my running gear will fit perfectly. I originally set a goal of July 4th to be comfortable in everything. I am making progress but I have had some setbacks. So my new goal is Labor Day. If I make it, great - but I am not adding it to the, "things I should stress out about" list.
Today I am officially declaring a moratorium on weekend working. If I have a contract assignment, then I will work evenings (and weekends when I must) to complete it and still keep on track with sleep hygiene. For the past three years, however, I have worked most Saturdays, Sunday, or both days and it is time to say, "good bye," to this lifestyle. I am cranky at work. I have less focus and concentration. Now - however - I have made enough progress that this is no longer a "must." My sanity and ability to keep a cheery outlook, however, are a must. I am hoping that, if I ever enter a PhD program, I can avoid working most (if not all weekends). I might also be dreaming.
Meanwhile...after 3 days in the office, I got to the appropriate time marker on my Water Bottle (the gallon one with goofy/encouraging sayings." I am not committed to doing this every day or even most days, but I am glad to be staying more hydrated than I was. It also made running in the "hot" temperatures not so awful. Today, the heat index makes it 102 degress here and my DC sibling says it is ok to call it, "hot." After living for many years in DC and Missouri, I know how to handle heat but I don't like it. Given that "90" is a heat wave, which only occurs for a few days or maybe two weeks, where I currently live, I really try not to mutter about the weather.
Yesterday, I learned to "hug" my cello and I actually feel as if I am improving. After contacting a teacher and getting in touch with someone, who might know a teacher, I can likely avoid the disaster that was last Saturday.
My lawn is cut and the sky is blue with few clouds. The laundry is almost done and the dishes are clean and put away. Today is both a gorgeous and productive day. Not all days or weekends are like this, but oh do I appreciate the ones that are! And..of course...I have to share flower blooms. One is "a" transplant. Texting and Instagram captions are not my friends. Oh well...
Happy Saturday!
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Hi all,
I saw this giant water bottle in February and, after giving it serious consideration, I decided to get one. My hydration has not been good, especially as I am not running much or consistently, and I figured this would fix the situation. Little did I know it would take 2 returns and a different company, before I got one that works. I love it! I am also realistically only drinking as much as I can. The hourly increments are nice, but I am not placing a high priority on following them.
I moderated a webinar last Friday, which went smoothly given the time of day and the topic. I predicted correctly that it would last about 30 minutes. No one panicked and the biggest complaint was not giving attendees enough time to formulate and type in questions. Oops!
Exactly one year after the research fellowship started, I submitted my write-up for publication on Monday. It is not the most exciting project, but it fit the requirements of the program. Now I just hope they accept it. If they do not, I will regroup and try submitting to a different journal.
Things at work are moving in a positive direction after several tough months. I have a new colleague and we are starting a collaborative project, which is promising as she started less than a week ago. We might be kindred spirits, which is an Anne of Green Gables reference, and I am excited to see how it will go.
Last Saturday, I had my first cello lesson. I am still excited about learning to play the cello but I will be looking for a teacher. My desire to practice is minimal and this is not how I usually approach learning anything new. In the meantime, I will see what I can learn online.
And I am really looking forward to a weekend of doing what I want without having to work on any presentations, articles, or edits. This will by my first such weekend in many months.
Happy Midweek, All!
I saw this giant water bottle in February and, after giving it serious consideration, I decided to get one. My hydration has not been good, especially as I am not running much or consistently, and I figured this would fix the situation. Little did I know it would take 2 returns and a different company, before I got one that works. I love it! I am also realistically only drinking as much as I can. The hourly increments are nice, but I am not placing a high priority on following them.
I moderated a webinar last Friday, which went smoothly given the time of day and the topic. I predicted correctly that it would last about 30 minutes. No one panicked and the biggest complaint was not giving attendees enough time to formulate and type in questions. Oops!
Exactly one year after the research fellowship started, I submitted my write-up for publication on Monday. It is not the most exciting project, but it fit the requirements of the program. Now I just hope they accept it. If they do not, I will regroup and try submitting to a different journal.
Things at work are moving in a positive direction after several tough months. I have a new colleague and we are starting a collaborative project, which is promising as she started less than a week ago. We might be kindred spirits, which is an Anne of Green Gables reference, and I am excited to see how it will go.
Last Saturday, I had my first cello lesson. I am still excited about learning to play the cello but I will be looking for a teacher. My desire to practice is minimal and this is not how I usually approach learning anything new. In the meantime, I will see what I can learn online.
And I am really looking forward to a weekend of doing what I want without having to work on any presentations, articles, or edits. This will by my first such weekend in many months.
Happy Midweek, All!
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Mountain Retreat, Getting Back in Shape, "The Bulldog" Nickname, Cello Update
Last Thursday, I got up and to the office extra early, because I was leaving shortly after 4 to head to the Mountain Retreat for a weekend of family and fun. An hour into the day, I had made more progress than I ever anticipated and, better yet, I had energy. This continued until about 3pm. I did not have extra coffee or caffeine, but something worked. After bouncing ideas around last weekend, I decided to see if I could manage to get into the office a little early or at least around the time of my early morning meetings. No single day this week went as I envisioned, but I got in early or on time and overall I was pretty productive. Most days, I was in bed at the same time or a bit later and I felt much better in the morning. So my goal for this upcoming week is to keep getting up early and see if I can get into the office just a little early. I will be leaving by 5:15 pm most days, though, even if I only arrive on time or a few minutes late.
Post-work, I ran one day, mowed the lawn, and worked on my flower bed, which is now my summer project. I also did some weeding and moved a giant rock about 10 feet in two separate trips. My neighbors likely think I have lost my mind, but that's ok. Below are some flowers from various bushes and the white flowers, which we transplanted just under a year ago, are spreading!
Today I did 30 minutes (10 minutes on the stationary bike, 20 minutes on the armless elliptical). I have not used my indoor gym for awhile and it was nice to get back to it. If the weather stays warm, I may use it more and/or try to get up extra early to run pre-early work arrival time. Checkback next week to see how this is working!
In Cleveland, my family nickname of, 'The Bulldog," was announced. Yes, I am determined - some say stubborn is more a appropriate word. I have decided that I prefer the nickname to stubborn! As we rehearsed, I kept trying to find a way to disprove it, but I cannot. So now you know.
On a fun note, I dropped the cello off and it does indeed need a bit of work and likely four new strings. It took me three tries to get the cello into my car and oh adjusting to the size will take awhile. I am excited though and - if it possible - I might be more excited than I was about taking up the violin or piano. Music is such a big part of me and, while I made the right decisions about choir and so forth, I miss it. If the cello ends up helping me deal with health issues, I am all for it.
I am still back-and-forth with running. I love it, but I still feel lousy afterwards at times. So I am taking it on a day-by-day basis. I signed-up for a mile run on June 15th. If I feel good, I will do it but I am glad that I can delay my decision a bit longer.
Happy Saturday!
Post-work, I ran one day, mowed the lawn, and worked on my flower bed, which is now my summer project. I also did some weeding and moved a giant rock about 10 feet in two separate trips. My neighbors likely think I have lost my mind, but that's ok. Below are some flowers from various bushes and the white flowers, which we transplanted just under a year ago, are spreading!
Today I did 30 minutes (10 minutes on the stationary bike, 20 minutes on the armless elliptical). I have not used my indoor gym for awhile and it was nice to get back to it. If the weather stays warm, I may use it more and/or try to get up extra early to run pre-early work arrival time. Checkback next week to see how this is working!
In Cleveland, my family nickname of, 'The Bulldog," was announced. Yes, I am determined - some say stubborn is more a appropriate word. I have decided that I prefer the nickname to stubborn! As we rehearsed, I kept trying to find a way to disprove it, but I cannot. So now you know.
On a fun note, I dropped the cello off and it does indeed need a bit of work and likely four new strings. It took me three tries to get the cello into my car and oh adjusting to the size will take awhile. I am excited though and - if it possible - I might be more excited than I was about taking up the violin or piano. Music is such a big part of me and, while I made the right decisions about choir and so forth, I miss it. If the cello ends up helping me deal with health issues, I am all for it.
I am still back-and-forth with running. I love it, but I still feel lousy afterwards at times. So I am taking it on a day-by-day basis. I signed-up for a mile run on June 15th. If I feel good, I will do it but I am glad that I can delay my decision a bit longer.
Happy Saturday!
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Happy Belated Parent's Day, Race Recap, Presentation Recap (short, no images)
It’s been two weeks. I tried Jungle Curry the night before the race,
which was so delicious! The 5k went better than I expected. The shorter
distance was the right but tough decision to make.
I then spent most of the next week in pain for reasons I cannot explain and I can only hope to get answers. It could mean not racing, doing speed work, or perhaps it was a one time thing. Whatever the reason, I am not making any decisions right now and I certainly will not be registering for any races for a bit.
On happy news, the presentation went really well and we think 100 people attended. The questions, although minimal, were great. It was really special to collaborate and present with my Dad on Father’s Day. I am not sure if we will have future opportunities to co-facilitate, but it is something I will treasure always.
I am sorry that Gabe Grunewald is no longer with us, but I am glad she is running pain free. She and her husband are amazing people and, while I have not met them in person, I definitely have been thinking of them. I will look more into the Brave Like Gabe foundation and every future race bib of mine will be labeled Brave Like Gabe.
Happy Belated Parents Day to all!
I then spent most of the next week in pain for reasons I cannot explain and I can only hope to get answers. It could mean not racing, doing speed work, or perhaps it was a one time thing. Whatever the reason, I am not making any decisions right now and I certainly will not be registering for any races for a bit.
On happy news, the presentation went really well and we think 100 people attended. The questions, although minimal, were great. It was really special to collaborate and present with my Dad on Father’s Day. I am not sure if we will have future opportunities to co-facilitate, but it is something I will treasure always.
I am sorry that Gabe Grunewald is no longer with us, but I am glad she is running pain free. She and her husband are amazing people and, while I have not met them in person, I definitely have been thinking of them. I will look more into the Brave Like Gabe foundation and every future race bib of mine will be labeled Brave Like Gabe.
Happy Belated Parents Day to all!
Saturday, June 1, 2019
I have learned that working on weekends usually makes for a week with less than ideal concentration. If I go to a coffee shop or work on by back porch, then it is not so bad. I also take lots of breaks but I also knew working this weekend was inevitable. Deadlines are good and I must meet them. Oh will I be glad when I can mark of few them as done!
Bloodwork is not fun and today they used pediatric sized needles. My little veins are just not fun for this sort of thing and it is also why I am trying out this coffee shop, which I spotted a month or so ago. I am hoping I will not suffer any ill effects so that I can do a 10k as planned a week from tomorrow. If necessary, I will do the 5k instead.
On June 16th, I am giving a presentation and so today I am finishing up the slides. As a multiple draft person and a perfectionist, this is version 4 or so. I stopped counting, because it is not helping. I hope it goes well but I will go into it knowing that I prepared as best I can for it.
Meanwhile, I spent quite a bit time going down a rabbit hole and debating whether or not to include something in a publication, which was recommended to me. At this point, I probably will not unless I get the same advice from another person. I did learn about some neat things in a program, though, which I started using two years ago for making graphs. The time was well spent, even if it did put me slightly behind. Submission will happen in the two weeks and then the worst part, waiting, comes to the forefront. I have other projects and so I will put my focus on moving those in the right direction.
After seeing the book, "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay in a library, I picked it up and read it one night. I really enjoyed it and it is historical fiction. Usually, I cannot handle this type of book, because they mess up the facts and my history major background rebels. It did make for a tough end to the week sleep wise, but I have no regrets. It also made me realize just why I enjoy learning about Eastern European history and World War II. So many people fought to escape or persist in tough circumstances. If they survived, many individuals made a point of changing the world and trying to prevent such things from occurring a second time.
As I have procrastinated enough, it is time to get back to editing slides and articles.
Happy Saturday!
Monday, May 27, 2019
Almost at the Halfway Point - How can it almost be June?!
Hi All -
Last week was by far the toughest I have had in two months. It almost rivaled the first two weeks of March. So I decided to focus on recovery and getting into a better place, before lacing up my running shoes to see what I could do.
I did not try out the running group yesterday or last Sunday and neither did I try out the Rock Climbing Gym or cello lessons. I did, however, reorganize an area that has been making me crazy, and I discovered how many shirts with similar styles it is possible to accumulate, when your clothes are spread out due to lack of an organized space. Organizing is not my cup of tea and it takes more time and energy than I care to admit. I did it and oh do I feel better.
The laundry is almost done - the stuff that I had washed, dried, and folded is actually put away (gasp!). I even vacuumed, ordered the appropriate vents for the heating/cooling system, and yes I can tell I am feeling better. I did pop into email to make sure nothing was going crazy, but the population I serve does not take off most holidays. I love them and so I saved myself an inbox full of panicky emails to handle in the morning. If they find out the library was closed, I will probably get gently scolded.
Financially - I had two major goals this year and I am closing in one of them. The other will be delayed a bit, because I decided to take an international trip in March. I did my last two week international trip in 2009. I hope to do more and I see this as a starting point. I still hope to accomplish the second by December, but March 2020 might be more reasonable.
Fitness and Exercise goals - I did a reset on these in March, but I am ok with where I am. My goal is to accept and minimize the level of frustration. Most likely I will not begin working with another coach until April. It takes time to adjust to new things.
I know that I race faster than my long runs. Because of working with a coach, I was able to see and to expect a better time on the race than the long run set pace. My current pace without any speedwork (including strides) is in the 11:30-11:40s range. For June 9th, I am predicting the following times:
Goal A: 72 minutes.
Goal B: 80 minutes
Goal C: 90 minutes
I am going to be pleased with whatever outcome I get and my focus is simply on apprecating each mile. If I happen to beat those times, you won't find me complaining.
And now...time to hydrate and put in a bit of work on turning over the soil. I attempted this post-run yesterday on an empty stomach. That was a disaster. So I should sure have better luck today, yeah?!
Happy Monday, All!
Last week was by far the toughest I have had in two months. It almost rivaled the first two weeks of March. So I decided to focus on recovery and getting into a better place, before lacing up my running shoes to see what I could do.
I did not try out the running group yesterday or last Sunday and neither did I try out the Rock Climbing Gym or cello lessons. I did, however, reorganize an area that has been making me crazy, and I discovered how many shirts with similar styles it is possible to accumulate, when your clothes are spread out due to lack of an organized space. Organizing is not my cup of tea and it takes more time and energy than I care to admit. I did it and oh do I feel better.
The laundry is almost done - the stuff that I had washed, dried, and folded is actually put away (gasp!). I even vacuumed, ordered the appropriate vents for the heating/cooling system, and yes I can tell I am feeling better. I did pop into email to make sure nothing was going crazy, but the population I serve does not take off most holidays. I love them and so I saved myself an inbox full of panicky emails to handle in the morning. If they find out the library was closed, I will probably get gently scolded.
Financially - I had two major goals this year and I am closing in one of them. The other will be delayed a bit, because I decided to take an international trip in March. I did my last two week international trip in 2009. I hope to do more and I see this as a starting point. I still hope to accomplish the second by December, but March 2020 might be more reasonable.
Fitness and Exercise goals - I did a reset on these in March, but I am ok with where I am. My goal is to accept and minimize the level of frustration. Most likely I will not begin working with another coach until April. It takes time to adjust to new things.
I know that I race faster than my long runs. Because of working with a coach, I was able to see and to expect a better time on the race than the long run set pace. My current pace without any speedwork (including strides) is in the 11:30-11:40s range. For June 9th, I am predicting the following times:
Goal A: 72 minutes.
Goal B: 80 minutes
Goal C: 90 minutes
I am going to be pleased with whatever outcome I get and my focus is simply on apprecating each mile. If I happen to beat those times, you won't find me complaining.
And now...time to hydrate and put in a bit of work on turning over the soil. I attempted this post-run yesterday on an empty stomach. That was a disaster. So I should sure have better luck today, yeah?!
Happy Monday, All!
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