My athlete has left the building

Due to unfortunate circumstances I haven't done an "organized" workout in about 4 months, yet I weigh less than I have since I was 21. Anyone suspect serious muscle loss? Ding ding ding! Yet I seem to never lose my shapely triceps.

At approximately 5'6" and barely north of 110 pounds, I'm a bit thin.

Anyway, I've been biking a lot lately and it is seriously pathetic. We're talking non-deserved heart-pounding, mouth gaping open exhaustion under the most minor hilly circumstances. Who would ever believe I used to swim 4-7 miles a day, could outrun most males my age and bench press more than my physical weight?!

This gumby-girl is determined to make more of an iron-woman out of herself in the next several months.

Knowing myself all to well, the progress will be slow, but I'll take slow over nothing any day.

YAY HEELS!

Elite 8 - enough said. Thank you Henson for playing! Good luck on Sunday!

Quote of the day

"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help."

~Epicurus

Experiencing DATA

I started riding the bus about a week and a half ago - partly as an experiment, partly because it just makes sense as there is a bus stop in my back yard and gas costs a fortune these days.

I can get from my house to the doorway of my work building by a fairly direct route - although I must say connections can be quite tricky and annoying. I've not yet been completely stranded (thanks to great friends) but I'm still perfecting my schedule.

What has been the most pleasant surprise is the folks I've met on the bus. I biked to downtown Durham this evening and decided it would be safest to take the bus home from the Durham Station with my loaner bike in tow. A fellow passenger asked me if the bike was mine and that kicked off a conversation that I thought was pretty cool: He, like my dad, is in his late 60s yet still walks, runs and bikes a great deal. He's training for an upcoming race and told me he even qualified for the Olympic trials when he was in college. The kicker: he's great friends with James Worthy! This Tar Heel swooned at that revelation.

I've also shared a two-seater seat with a mom and her son; successfully advised several fellow passengers of their best travel options and managed to pare my normal 3-bag-a-day commute down to 1 backpack.

I'm feeling pretty savvy. It's the little things you know?

Donations for Doggies Please!

Looking for a few more donations:
Last Sunday I spent my morning as I do most Sundays - with an amazing group of compassionately dedicated volunteers who donate their time each week to giving chained dogs new, free lives. I've been volunteering with Coalition to Unchain Dogs for just over a year and it has been the most rewarding experience - I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I've made great friends and had tons of fun, but the pricelessness of the experience is witnessing previously confined animals realize what life can really be like. They romp. They strut. They jump, hop, skip and frolic. Please help us build more fences for these more than deserving animals. By following the link below you can watch a video of what the Coalition does and make a donation - even the smallest amount makes a difference! And of course you are always welcome to volunteer - we'd love to have you!

http://www.active.com/donate/ghr2012/tracey2012

Quote of the day

"To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction."

~Sir Isaac Newton

I'm pretty sure I thought I understood that principle despite my lack of scientific knowledge, but I've recently come to the conclusion that the principle - applied to social situations - is very perplexing and quite wrong.

In recent personal dealings, I've been taught that to every action there is always a weird and strange and unexplained reaction. Connections you once thought you had with others disappear into foggy memories - those which you begin to wonder if you manufactured all on your own. It's a frustrating endeavor - trying to make sense of what others won't explain to you.

I long for a world where people say what they mean, act the way they feel and remain true to their heart.

Farewell House

I'm quite behind on reading my subscription to Entertainment Weekly so I just learned that House MD's 8th season will be its last. I only became a fan via reruns in early 2011 so I'm pretty sad that it will all be over soon.

In fact, I became so obsessed with the show and diagnoses that I found myself trying to diagnose my brother when he fell ill last summer. He responded, "Thanks Dr. House. I'll look in to that." I got a pretty hearty chuckle out of that comment.

Happy notes from Ken Tucker's piece in the February 24th issue of EW:

1. He professed a favoritism for Olivia Wilde's character, Thirteen. I was happy to read that because I also very much like Thirteen and her complicated backstory, while many fans consistently expressed a strong hatred for Wilde and Thirteen. I've missed her in season 8!

2. He described the show at its best as a vivid portrait of a complex friendship. I love House and Wilson as best friends. Having had some complex friendships myself, it is always nice to realize that sometimes friends hurt each other - all the while loving each other - and that's just life. Your most faithful friends will always love you for who you truly are.

I'll miss you House! I'll deeply miss the presentation of crazy medical cases and your insanely awesome sense of humor for a long, long time! Hope there is a new role in the works for Hugh Laurie very soon.

Moot

Check out this poor little guy! Moot is soon to be taken in by the foster/rescue group I volunteer with: Best Friend Pet Adoption. I can't wait to meet him! He's only about 3 months old and was picked up as a stray.

According to those who have met him he's been just terrified since landing at the Nash County Animal Shelter. He cowers in the corner and completely tenses up if someone tries to touch him. I'm so proud to work with BFPA and I know we'll find him a forever home that will give him all the love he deserves! Welcome to BFPA Moot!

One Day - on film

I read One Day last September and was so absorbed in the story but just never got around to making the trip to the theater to see the film. Bad reviews didn't help to push me in that direction, and I almost never go to the movies anyway, but I'm happy to say that my dear friend Jenni invited me over to watch it tonight.

Perhaps the nay-sayers didn't read the book, didn't identify with Emma or Dexter, or maybe just couldn't get passed the bad fashion and odd frame of Jim Sturgess, but I really enjoyed the movie. Just like the book, it brought up memories from my past - both happy and tragically sad - but being reminded of those times are what makes me the person I am so bring it on.

Anne Hathaway's English accent was quite charming and I've never seen Patricia Clarkson in a role I didn't like so those are two definite pluses. On the negative side I didn't find Jim Sturgess remotely likable, but I suppose that is fitting since I didn't really feel a great deal of empathy for Dexter's character when I read the book. He's really a cad to tell you the truth.

My most favorite parts of the book (the ones that made me laugh my ass off) were not presented well on film, but the story for the most part was very true to the novel. I'm now looking forward to seeing Like Crazy which I know will require some kleenex (One Day did not - at least for me).

Oliver update

I got a message from Oliver's new family today and he is fantastic. He's up to 24 pounds and is almost completely housebroken! I always knew he would be a super smart boy. He just needed to find the right family to love him and I really think he has landed in the most perfect place.

He's scheduled to be neutered on March 14th and his cardiologist assured me that he should make it through the surgery just fine despite his heart defects. Fingers crossed!

After he's neutered he will be eligible to be adopted. I know his new family is anxious to finalize, so I assume it won't be long after his surgery that he becomes a permanent member of the Smith's pack. Provided that our schedules mesh I'm supposed to be in attendance for the event - fingers crossed again! I really hope it works out because I'd like nothing more than to be able to bid my sweet boy a farewell and officially usher him into his new wonderful life.

I stole the picture from his new mom's facebook page. She took it on their first day home together. Love you Oliver!

BFPA thanks you!

To the magnificently talented and generous photographers who have donated their time to photograph our pets up for adoption, I send you a HUGE thank you!!!

We at Best Friend Pet Adoption are dedicated to finding forever homes for all misplaced dogs and cats, and we certainly know that fabulous photographs can make a huge difference when marketing an available pet. Just check out some of the photos below and you'll know what I mean.

Thank you SO much to Brenda Scott (Brenda Scott Photography); Cheryl Gottschall (Gott Dog Photography) and Jeni Dwyer (Jeni Dwyer Creative) for donating your talents to help these wonderful dogs. You've all got a special place in our hearts for helping to make these animals' dreams come true!

Quote of the day

Back to two

Oliver is doing well in his new foster/forever home so we're back to normal here at the house. While Zoe is generally indifferent to the comings and goings of dogs (as long as they are male), I think Lucas was happy to see the puppy go. It's not that Lucas didn't like Oliver, he just didn't like having to share my attention with two other dogs.

He is, however, more than happy to share the futon with Zoe.

Oliver has left the nest

I dropped Oliver off with his potential forever mama this afternoon and I must say I am heartbroken. I am so happy for him because I think this family will be perfect, but right now I feel like someone ripped my heart out and threw it across the room. He's only been gone for 6 hours and I already miss him so much!

I might be smiling in the pictures below, but my lips were quivering and I was crying my eyes out. Such a bittersweet day!

Thank you to Best Friend Pet Adoption for rescuing this beautiful boy, his litter mates and his mother.

Oliver leaves Saturday!

Oliver is going on an adoption trial this Saturday with a wonderful couple from Knightdale. I met the woman today at Bond Park in Cary and she is very excited to bring him home. I think this family is going to be absolutely perfect for Oliver. I know I'm going to blubber like a baby when I drop him off, but I'm so happy for my sweet boy!