Real Spring Weather

I'll be glad when this rainy weather moves past. I like the rain, but when it comes to severe weather, tornado watches, and straight line winds; NO THANK YOU.

I guess I've always had a fear of tornadoes. Growing up in the midwest, every summer I'd see stories of towns knocked out. Plus, it seems the worst weather always hits in the dead of night when everyone is fast asleep.

Here's the upside, to these spring storms in my mind. In Duluth, MN where I moved here from about 2 years ago, they just had an ice storm earlier this week.

I'll take the warm rain over the cold ice anyday.

When did this happen?!?

Remember when you bought your first cell phone? I do. It was about ten years ago. At some point, that phone has basically become an important part of my life.

I'm sure you've been there. When it's not with you, there's a moment of panic. Frantically searching your purse, phone, or couch, looking for that small piece of equipment that does have the capability of letting a caller leave a message. Heaven forbid you miss that call.

I had the realization this week that I'm beginning to have the same attachment to my laptop computer.

It's in the shop, and these last few days I have definitely been "off." I never realized how often I turn to the internet to pass the time. You don't know how many times I've reached for my laptop, only to realize, it's not there.

Ultimately, it concerns me just how dependant I've become on an electronic to keep me entertained. It makes me think, maybe the "experts" are on to something when they talk about kids and their dependence on computers and video games.

So, I'm going to take my laptop free days as a blessing. I have several books that I need to read. The last time I picked up one of those was, well, right before I got my computer.

March Madness

This is the time of year that I really get into basketball. I love the NCAA tournament! More importantly, I love beating my friends in the brackets.

No, it's not my superb knowledge of college hoops that always puts me at the top, or near the top, of our pool. I rarely follow basketball until March. Actually, I don't, unless the Badgers are on an amazing winning streak and frankly, that hasn't happened since I was a bright-eyed college student.

My unique method of choosing teams is what usually has me in the top three. You see, I choose my teams based on themes. The year I picked the winner based on what team colors I liked better...second place! The year I picked based on which mascot I thought could beat up the other...I was third. For the record, I would have done better that year had I not kept my faith in UW-Wisconsin. Clearly, a gator would beat a badger.

For you die hard sports fans, this may sound silly. I know it is, and I'm the first to laugh at it. But for someone who likes filling out the brackets, but has no idea of any team stats, this has become very entertaining for me.

This year, I think I'm going to stick with my mascot theme. That said, LSU has a good chance. Clearly, a tiger could beat a bulldog, there's Butler in game 1. And, I think a tiger could beat a tarheel as well. That's game 2. I haven't sized up the rest of the competition, but with my method, I doubt there's few mascots that would beat a tiger.

Bring on the Rain

It's been awhile since we've seen a gloomy weekend. To be honest, I was really glad rain and clouds moved in on Friday. Of course, all the parade goers wanted a nice sunny day, and it seems for the most part, the rain stayed away for the majority of the parade. But when the skies opened up in the afternoon, it brought a smile to my face.

Before I get the hate comments; here's why. I am the master of procrastination when it comes to cleaning the house. Rainy weekends are the only time I really roll up my sleeves and get to the dirty work of cleaning the showers, toilets, ect. It usually takes me both days to do a real thorough job. As I write this, there is still dusting, laundry and vacuuming to finish.

Time is of the essence this weekend. My mom will be in town Friday, and my mom is the female version of Mr. Clean. Her house is spick and span, so she would definitely size up my ability to keep the house clean. I don't want to disappoint.

Now the challenge, keeping it that way until she gets here. That is five days away after all.

To Marathon Or Not To Marathon

I'm a runner. I've always enjoyed it, but really turned it into one of my favorite past times within the past 3 years. I have one full and one half marathon under my belt.

I approached my marathons backwards, meaning, most people run a half first and then a full. I decided to go all out and do the 26.2 miles with no real race experience.

I can tell you, I honestly could not walk up stairs for two days and could barely walk the three blocks to my car after the race. My friend who carried me, can back that up. Needless to say, I vowed never to run another full marathon again. I was told I would change my mind and I laughed in their face.

Oh how those words have come back to haunt me. Here I am two years later, committing myself to another full. At least, until I saw the elevation chart. You see, the race I typically run, Grandma's in MN, is fairly flat. At least until mile 20 and there's one large hill, but it's fine. I like to think of myself as Lance Armstrong. That's where I make up my time. I digress....

This new race I signed up for, the Twin Cities Marathon, is a killer from what I hear. Hill after hill, I just don't know. Being unprepared for a marathon takes away any enjoyment or sense of accomplishment you get from that run. Also, I can't train on this course, which will make that run even harder. Louisiana just doesn't offer the running paths you really need to train (if I'm mistaken, please let me know!).

So here I am, wanting to get another race under my belt, but thinking, this just might have to be a half marathon year.
I probably have 3 weeks to decide, which I fully intend to do while sitting on my couch.

Social Networking Sites

Anyone who has known me more than six months, knows that, well, until six months ago I was adamantly opposed to Facebook and all social networking sites. I always thought, don't we fall out of touch with people for a reason? What do I possibly have to say to someone I sat next to in middle school?

It was only when a friend told me that they had reconnected with many former colleagues, that I started to reconsider. So, I signed on.

Now, I can't get enough. I check Facebook like I check my email. Sometimes, I check my email to check my Facebook. Never have I found an easier way to pass the time! Who would have thought that knowing my high school prom date is "sick of the snow" could give me hours on entertainment.

I was having so much fun with Facebook, I checked out Linkedin. Yep, have an account there. That led to Twitter. I've been known to tweet now and again, though I really don't get the point. Does anyone really care that I just finished watching Oprah or walked my dog, Butters?

Regardless, this is quickly becoming the easiest way to get in touch with people, and I am glad I finally jumped on the bandwagon.

My First Blog!!!

This is a BIG day for me at WVLA. I finally have a blog! For the last few months, I've been bugging Jesse, as in Jesse Gunkel, to get this up and running. Today, it is fully functional. Hello 2009! Now, I don't kid myself into thinking anyone besides my mom (Hi mom) and myself will read this on a daily basis, but it is nice to have an outlet to write my thoughts and opinions.

Now comes the pressue to actually write something meaningful. We'll start that tomorrow. Today, lets just enjoy the fact that the news blog is FINALLY up and running.