Day 13253, and 1 ski day down

First of all, posting is a pain.  There are not ANY open wi-fi connections that I can reach at the condo.  So, here Katie and I sit, at Starbuck's, while I type.  I even had to pay T Mobile for the connection.  Didn't I hear that Starbuck's was switching to AT & T???

Anyhoo, we arrived Tuesday at 7:30 am.  Jay and I went and got the car, then back to the airport to wait for Katie, who arrived at 10.  The Denver Airport is boring.  I took pictures with MY camera while there.  I can't post them though.  Why?  Because I forgot the damned cable to connect my camera to my laptop.  Why?  Because I am an idiot.Fortunately, Jay remembered his (which is amazing!) so I do have some pictures.

Here is our drive into Silverthorne.  No real snow threats on the road.  Easy 1:15 from Denver.

(Right now, blogger has decided that this is the ONLY picture that it wants to post.  Well, I must say, of all the pictures I have, I am SO glad that this is the one that I got up...)

Anyway,  yesterday, we skied Breckenridge.  Jay had his full day lesson, and actually used most of it.  Then...he turned in his skis.  He liked it more than last time, but still doesn't consider himself a skier.  Oh well, I tried.

Katie and I skied hard, drank hard, and had a blast.  We got Erin (the instructor) to ourselves for the last couple hours of the day, and she took us up to Peak 10 and we skied black runs.  I fell once, Katie didn't fall.  I will say, though, my fall was graceful and controlled.  And, if you blinked, you might have missed it.

We are off to Vail today.  Jay, sadly, is back at the condo, as it is medicine day.  The pills kick his ass.

More tomorrow...

Day 13249, & I am all better?

So, apparently, all I needed to do for the last 10 days was stretch and exercise.

Really???

Cause it sure as hell felt like my legs were going to fall off if I tried to use them!

Anyhoo, despite my frustrations noted in the last post, I am quite pleased that I decided to go to the doctor, that he diagnosed me as a worry wart, and that I took him up on his advice.

I was a bit sore this morning, but only for a second. And off to the gym I went...

6 miles on the elliptical over the course of a nice leisurely hour. Yesterday was 5 miles, so I am definately getting my stamina back. When I did my cardio on Thursday (for the first time in 11 days,) I thought I was going to die. Coincidentally, I also scored "below average" on my cardio test with PT on said Thursday. I do not fail well, with the exception of AP Calculus in high school; I failed that REALLY well! Rather than beat myself up over the failure, I am chaulking it up to my "vacation" from any real exercise over the last week. And, maybe also to this head cold that I plan on leaving in Nashville when I fly off to Colorado next week. It is quite amazing how fast my body can revert back to its old sloth-like self.

Now, I must come up with a new, much less aggressive plan to incorporate running into my routine. First, though, is it pronation or supination? Or, have I been supinating since my imaginary injury because of the great knee revolt of 2008? Don't really know... Maybe I will just make the crazy running man at the crazy running store watch me run across the parking lot a few more times to decide...

He is probably more aware of what caused my issues than the doctor was anyway...

I am thinking that I will slowly start substituting the treadmill for the elliptical, a mile at a time, week by week. Most importantly, I will dedicate 15 minutes on the front and back end of each workout to thorough stretching. 30 seconds in each stretch, blah, blah, blah.

Anyway, hopefully I have put an end to this particular issue, as I am sure that there will be many new issues ahead.

Day 13245, & a diagnosis, finally...

So, I went to the doctor today.

First, my appointment was at 1:30.  They said to arrive 20 minutes early.  I arrived 30 minutes early, and I had already filled out my new patient form online.  Needless to say, I was there PLENTY early.

1:05: I arrive and check in at the front desk.  I get more forms to fill out.

1:25: I get called from the waiting room, up to a desk.  She copies my insurance card, takes my completed forms, and sends me back to the waiting area.

2:05: I get called into the back.  Very exciting!!!  Only, then I am dropped off at yet another waiting room.  Granted, it was a nicer room, with CNN on the tv (vs. some soap opera,) and fewer people.  Maybe they just realized that I am better than most people and moved me to the fancy room?  There was an autographed Predators jersey in the new room.  Maybe I got to hang where the Titans and Predators wait.  Actually, I bet they never wait.

2:15: X rays, 6 of them... Then, back to the fancy room.

2:30: Finally, off to the exam room, where I see my X rays, a nurse, and the really cool "shorts" that I get to wear for the exam.  She leaves to I can get ready to model the shorts...

2:45:  Nothing...

2:55: The doctor comes in, asks me a few questions.  I answer: "Running, blah, blah, blah.  Work on my feet, blah, blah, blah.  Skiing next week, blah, blah, blah."  He moves my legs, bends my knees, looks at my ankles, feet, etc.

3:00:  The diagnosis!  Yea!  Finally!  Get ready for this...

.

.

.

.

.

"Your X rays look good.  I think that you have just stirred things up down there...."

What?

Really?

2 hours for this diagnosis?

I walked out with no diagnosis, no prescriptions, no new knee brace, nothing!  Now, don't get me wrong, I am overjoyed that I basically just have shin splints in my whole lower leg.  I love that only need ibuprofen.  I am excited that he said all I need to do is stretch and start working them out again, though he did mention the word "slowly..."  I am just a bit upset that it took soooo long to get to what I have been clinging to all along.  I knew  there was a reason to avoid the doctor's office!

So, now that I have my clean bill of leg and foot health, I am off to the gym tomorrow for a bit of leg work.  But...

No running until after the trip!

Day 13244, & love week is over...

So, Valentine's Day is one of the most ridiculous holidays. From my point of view, it goes something like this:

Me: Thank you for calling "Restaurant Blah Blah". This is Chris. How can I help you?

He: Yes, I wanted to make a reservation for tomorrow night at 7.
(Now, in this case, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Notice, he didn't say Valentine's Day, but rather, tomorrow night. It is like he thought that he was going to be able to slide right in; yeah, he'll fool me because I have not been dealing with these calls non-stop for a month...)

Me: Unfortunately, all we have available is 5 o'clock and 9:30, or later.

He: Really? It is just a party of two?

Me: Yes, we are quite heavily booked for the evening. There is just no way to fit any more reservations into the dining room.

He: (With desperation in his voice) OK, I might call you back.

Now, what kills me is that this ridiculous holiday has now become a defining moment in this poor guy's relationship. He forgot about Valentine's Day. That is too bad, since it is on the 14th of February EVERY YEAR! On the other hand, it's not like he forgot her birthday or, god forbid, their anniversary. Rather, he has only forgotten about a silly Hallmark holiday that will now leave his significant other pissed off and questioning whether or not he really cares. Now, he is going to have to go buy flowers, candy, and, most likely, something from Tiffany & Co. so that she does not question him about why they are sitting down to dinner at either the tail end of lunch time, or so late that they might as well order breakfast... This, because when he said "OK, I might call you back," what he meant was "I am going to hold onto the hope that another restaurant will give me the 7 o'clock reservation that I want." Yeah, good luck fella! He will spend so much time clinging to this hope that eventually, when he does call us back, we won't even have the space we did when he called the first time.

This is why I hate Valentine's Day. It is just a silly societal construct designed to make people spend...

Now, on that note, we did 257 people for dinner on VD. God bless Hallmark!!! That is a respectable number of people, regardless of the day. But keep in mind that it was 96.5% parties of 2. That is over 100 tables. Four turns. That is a lot of people.

Anyway, Friday and Saturday, filled with all the real losers that couldn't get a table at all, along with those that recognize the stupidity of going out on VD but still have to show their partner that they care, turned out strong numbers too!

If only these people dined out more than twice a year (New Year's Eve, in case you weren't clear on the other night they go out.) I could retire.

The point? Well, the point is that my leg's are still broken. Well, hopefully not broken, but maybe... I will find out tomorrow at 2, after my visit to the orthopedic office. Anyway, they are sore, and they didn't feel any better after being on them for 4 days straight. Yet another reason to hate Valentine's Day.

I have not been to the gym since last Thursday. That was upper body day, and I skipped my cardio warm up. I think that my legs could do the elliptical, but why tempt fate? I still can't do anything that resembles a walk when I get out of bed each morning. It takes about an hour to build up to a respectable shuffle. I have a week to recover from whatever is wrong. Actually, from today, I have 9 days, as my first ski day will be next Wednesday.

Hopefully, the Dr. will understand my dedication to my vacation plans and not try to spoil them with some crazy instructions like stay off your feet for a month, or don't do anything that might put stress on your knees. Yes, hopefully, he will give me steriods, a painful cortizone shot, or some hardcore anti-inflamatory and call it a day. And, hopefully, he will be able to offer some insight as to what I did wrong, other than failing to recognize my own limitations and pushing myself too hard. It has always worked out in the past, why would I have thought that this would be different?

So, we leave for CO next Tuesday at 6 am. My high school friend Katie will be meeting us in the Denver airport for the drive out to Silverthorne. Then, next Friday, our other friend Karen will shuttle herself from the airport. I am so excited. Skiing, drinking, eating, and sleeping (listed in order of importance, mind you!)

Downside, I will have to go to Starbuck's for internet access. Other than that, no downside. Just downhill...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Day 13239, Snow storm 2008

So, yesterday, it was 62 degrees when I started my errands.  By the time the late afternoon rolled around, it was in the low 40s.  I knew the temperature was going to drop a bit overnight.  But really, who knew it was going to be white out conditions by this morning?

Fortunately, Jay got up early so that the garage and doorways could be shoveled clear.  Ok, well, maybe that is not quite accurate.  Maybe we didn't have quite the blizzard that I describe.  But it snowed.  And, with the crazy up-and-down temperatures that we have been having lately, I was pretty excited.  Jay was definately excited, though not as much as he was last year in CO (the picture.)

The dogs?  Well, there are always mixed reviews on things like snow when it comes to Murphy and Lucy.

Murphy, getting a bit senile in his old age, seems to think that the snow cover helps him to stalk prey, or just to hide from us.  Black and white contrast is a concept that he just doesn't get...

He is awfully photogenic though, when we are able to shoot him against a nice, white, snowy backdrop.  When we try to photograph him in any other setting, he just looks like a dust mop.  Oh well, he never really showed an interest in being America's next top model anyway...

Lucy, on the other hand, true to form, stands on the patio, waiting to get back inside.  She is such a princess... Maybe if I got her some little dog booties, she wouldn't be so sensitive.  Or, perhaps, she would just maul me in my sleep.  Either way, she cracks me up.  Daddy's little angel pup...

Of course, this is the south.  The snow was gone by noon.  At least it was pretty for a few hours.  And, it got us really excited for the trip to Colorado in just 10 short days...

Day 13238, or the day of Catherine

Tuesdays are one of my favorite days.

First, I am generally "off" on Tuesdays.  After the weekend, along with the fairly SLOOOW Monday lunch, followed with paperwork, payroll, paying bills, and general catch up, it is nice to have a day to myself.

Jay leaves early on Tuesday mornings.  So, I get to sprawl.  The sprawl has been extra enjoyable as of late; the new bed is amazing.  Once I get up, about 6:30, it is time for a few cups of coffee, then off to the gym.  Training is at 8.  Generally Tuesdays are lower body day.  I seem to have pretty strong quads, so I find most of the session to be quite easy.

Every other Tuesday is also Sheri day.  We all love Sheri day.  When I say we, I mean Jay, me, and Murphy and Lucy, the pups.

Sheri is the best investment we make in our own sanity and well-being.   She does the laundry, the does the dishes, she does the sheets, the floors, dusts... She even cleans the oven, the drip pans on the stove top, my coffee pot, and the sink drains.

All the while, she visits with the dogs, plays with them outside, teases Murphy with the feather duster, and gives them all the attention they could ask for.  They love Sheri.

I love Sheri.

Jay loves Sheri.

Anybody would love Sheri.

Coming home at the end of Sheri day is like getting a new house.  It smells incredibly clean (zero dog smell!), looks new, and everything is in its place.  Sometimes things end up where we can't find them.  But, if that is what Sheri wants, then that's fine with me.

At the end of my Tuesdays, I have my date night.  Not date night with Jay, mind you, but with Catherine.  It is sort of like Mommy's night out.  She gets away from the kids and I get away from Jay... It is sort of the same...

Catherine is my sounding board, my rock, my sanity.  There is nobody I would rather hang out with.  There never has been, and never will be.  Everyone in the world could only hope to be so lucky as to have their own Catherine.

The preceding announcement has been a paid endorsement brought to you by The Friends of Catherine Foundation.  --- "I am Catherine, and I endorse this message."

Day 13237, & now my knee

So, maybe my feet have been hurting so badly, I failed to notice that my left knee was really sore.  But today, I noticed.  And it is swollen, on the inside, below the kneecap.  Did I twist it?  I dunno... I am sure that I have form issues.  Nobody was laughing at me though, so it couldn't be that bad.

Anyway, rumor has it that I should expect pain.  Older, wiser people told me it was inevitable.  I knew I was in for a rough ride with running.  I knew it was crazy.  I just didn't know I was old.  I AM old.  But Nat is older (6 months, might as well be 2 years...)

No more running until after the ski trip.  If my knee, or anything indirectly connected to it, still hurts by week's end, I am going to the doctor.  Nothing is keeping me from the slopes.

Apparently, nothing has happened over the last few days worth writing about.  Hence, the posts have been VERY short.  Apologies.

Amy Winehouse won five grammys yesterday.

Amy Winehouse is a trainwreck.  My knee, no so bad.

Day 13235, & it hurts to walk

I ran 5 miles on Wednesday.

When I say I ran, I mean that I mostly ran.  Actually,  I ran 30 minutes, inserting 2:30 walking breaks in between 7:30 runs.  Then did my core work and resumed another 20 minutes, same as above.

Now, apparently, I guess that I pushed myself too hard.  I have been so consumed by watching my heart rate, and keeping it at or under 165, that I have ignored my poor little legs.  Specifically, I have neglected my feet and my knees.

I think my confidence level went up when I made it past shin splints in the first few days.  In retrospect...ooops!

Thursday, feeling sore, but not defeated, I did a 3 mile cardio warm up on the elliptical.  I felt great after.  All of my limbs checked out ok and I was able to stretch at my normal limits.

Yesterday, I was not able to complete a mile at a even a 10:00 pace.  My feet hurt.  I got 4 miles in at a 13:00 pace.  I probably should have turned off the incline though.

I spent an hour yesterday googling "sore feet running" after "Chris's legs hurt" failed to yield any results.  Everything I found seems not quite right.  My feet are not sensitive to pressure in any 1 area.  They just hurt when I walk and especially when I hit the floor for the first time of the day.  I did read that this is the common symptom of all the possible explanations.  I decided to explain it away as "second day syndrome" and hope for the best.

As a self-proclaimed internet physician, I am baffled by my ailment.  When I basically fell out of bed today, it took me a good 30 seconds to make it downstairs.  This would be an odd discovery-- third day syndrome??  Really???

I guess it will be elliptical again today.

Day 13231, Super Tuesday

Ahh, the democratic process...So liberating.

Where to start.  Well, the beginning, I guess, is a very good place to start...

I started my day at 6:30 with a few cups of coffee, and a heaping bowl of Total.  I have to get going early on Tuesdays so that I can feel somewhat awake by my 8 o'clock training session.  Mile and a half of warm up, then lower body today.  All good.  My feet are still a bit sore, but I did not have any issues with weights today.

Then, for a brief period, I thought my "day off" was going to fade away as the lunch supervisor called out sick.  Again, another reason why I can never really consider myself free and clear from the restaurant.  Even with our vacation, there are no guarantees.  That is why I tell the GM:  Any big problems, close the bitch down for the week.  I am not coming back early!

Anyway, I didn't have to go in.  This would have made for a relaxing day, but while I was procrastinating on getting ready for work--when I still thought I had to go--I got sucked into a bit of house cleaning, laundry doing, bill paying.  Next thing I know, it is noon...

Now I am pissed because I have to go and vote.  And it is lunchtime.  And it is going to be crowded.  And I am gonna have to wait in line.  And I am gonna be really annoyed!!!  Not to mention, who the hell am I gonna vote for?  I have been following all of this closely enough to see that I am just not pleased with ANY of my choices.  Can I just have a skip, and move on to the next presidential election?

Well, since the "skip" idea is not really practical, I decided to go on down to the poll center and do my duty as a citizen.  I should have known what I was in for, based on where I had to park.  I got out of my car and walked the, I don't know...20 yards? That's right.  I parked right up front...because NOBODY was there.  Shouldn't lunchtime be one of the busiest times of day?

So, now I am mad that I am struggling with who to vote for and nobody else has bothered to show up (except for a few VERY SCARY lesbitarians that are having a Hillary party on the back of their Subaru Outback)  I then proceed inside.  No line...Straight to old lady number one, and then...

(The following conversations MIGHT have been modified to protect my political privacy, which, as you will see, is where my problem lies.  On the other hand, this conversation could be dead on...)

Old Lady 1: Do you have your ID or Voter's Registration Card?

Me: Yes, here is my Voter's Card  (thinking: of course, I have my Registration card, I am an organized gay, you dumb bitch!!!)

Old Lady 1: Please fill out your name, address, and signature on this form.

Tick tock

Me: Here you go.

Old Lady 1:  Oh, Mr. Laurie (cause cleary that is EXACTLY how my last name looks like it should be pronounced. Morons!) You need to check whether you are voting Democrat or Republican.

Me: OK, I guess.

Now, at  this point I am thinking that my privacy is being trampled on, but whatever, it is somewhat necessary, I guess...  We all know how important fairness is in an election.

Old Lady 2:  Hello, Mr....Lori (Really?)  Let...me...just...fill...out...this...form...as...soon...as...I...find... you...here...in...my...book.

Me: (silent, no eye contact)

Old Lady 2:  Let's see, my initials here (using her full, normal, speaking volume at a table of 3, with 2 other voters at the table) ballot number here, and...Democratic ballot.  Thank you, Mr Lori.

Now, I am a bit pissed...

Old Man at Booths:  Hello, sir.  Right this way.  Let's see.  This here is your votin' machine.  you will have instructions here, and when your ready, just hit this and you'll get your ballot.  And let's see here, your votin' democrat.

Me: Got it, thanks!

Any now, clearly, EVERYONE that was in either of the rooms that contained this process have also got it.  They now know everything about my basic political beliefs.  They know everything, EXCEPT HOW TO SAY MY DAMNED LAST NAME!!!

I am appalled.  I do my best, make my choice, and off I go, mad as hell about this democracy, or at least the democratic process as it has evolved, anyway.

I didn't give the dogs a bath today.

Clearly that would have been too hard!

Day 13230, & I finally hit my target.

Well, again with the pictures...Apparently, the "server" is "busy" and I should "try again later..."  Yeah, cause that has really been working out well for me...

Anyway, I was, again, going to try to post some lovely, civilized photos from the GTC soiree last evening.  But, Google says no.  566.00 a share, my ass!  No wonder the price is falling...

Well, work was dull today.  It was a rainy, gross day and I venture to guess that much of Nashvegas was hung over today.  All that makes for a fairly slow lunch.

I went to the gym after work.  4 miles in 45 minutes, running and walking.  The exciting part?  My heart rate.  I stayed under 170.  This is good, since I don't want to die on a treadmill.  There is NOTHING glamorous about that kind of demise.

Finished with 25 minutes of core work.  It is like a vacation, compared to the running.

Also exciting is that my left calf and right hamstring are not so sore.  In fact, today it is the bottom of my feet.  I guess that eventually I will have made my entire lower body sore at some point.  Then, there will not be anything new to break in.

My weight, by the way, is the same.  Damn you, beer!

Tomorrow, PT in the AM, then an "off day"

Maybe I will give the dogs a bath...

Seems easy enough...

Day 13229, & 13228, and sports???

So, for 13228, I tried to post yesterday, really I did!  But, the blogger refused to upload ANY of the pictures I wanted to include.  Hence, no post... But, it would have been a boring, lazy post anyway.

In our committed effort to boost the economy, Jay and I went camera shopping yesterday.  I got a tiny, miniscule, little Sony.  Jay got the grown up, big boy camera with lenses and stuff, Olympus.  I have NO time for that complicated camera business.

Anyhoo, I was going to post the "test" pics from last night's new toy playin', but they would not upload.  As a result, you, dear reader, were cheated on posts; but, I was cheated on sleep, as I stayed up late trying to get my post right, unsuccessfully, mind you...

cut to almost an hour later...

Well, I still can't seem to upload...I think blogger hates Macs, which is horribly racist!!!  I guess I will have to email to work, then post from a PC.  That is BS.  As a result, post 13229 is now lacking, as well.

It was supposed to be photographic coverage of the GTC Superbowl anti-party at 3 Crow Bar.

I was going for the boys in the blue blouses.  They lost.  No biggie, as both teams were wearing white pants after labor day; they both deserved to lose. OK, maybe the pants were light grey/silver-ish, but still...

I would comment on Jordan Sparks singing the anthem, but I could not hear it over the vagitarians singing over her. (vagitarian=lesbian=lesbanese...)

All in all, the party was great fun.  About half the staff showed up.  I drank way too much beer and stayed out way too late.  Now, the fun part will be seeing if everyone makes it to work on time this morning.

And!!!

Guess who came in for brunch today... You will not guess, so I will tell you...

Courtney, the New York waitress from Survivor China.  Still super skinny.  She ate 1/5 of her steak benedict.  I checked on her food, she was fine, and the following conversation ensued:

Me:  For three months, I wanted to buy you a sandwich, and now you are not eating the food I have for you...

Her:  I really wanted a sandwich.  If you had brought me one, I would have soooo been in love with you.

Great fun, and she still weighs less than 90 pounds, by the way.

I will try to post again later today, with pictures.

Day 13227 & on day 13226, he rested...

Well, not so much rested, but I didn't post yesterday...

Yesterday was quite a big day, really.

I started out with my "surprise" day with the PT. Turned out that the surprise was really just a more severe ass kicking than usual. She called it test day. I did 17 diferent exercises, maxing out in one minute sets. I have to say that there really does not seem to be any reason to 32 seated calf raises in 1 minute. Certainly, there is no reason to do 35 leg curls in 1 minute, unless that burning sensation really gets you off. Honestly, I can say that that kind of burning has never been much of a turn on.

All in all, I do think I am seeing some improvement. Not so much with muscle mass, but definately with strength and endurance. So, I guess that is something...

After training, Jay and I went to look at our new restaurant space. It was the first time that we have been over to the development since last October. The last time we saw Allium (that's the name of the new place,) there were not any exterior walls. Basically, we just looked at the roughed in plumbing to figure out what part of the room we were in.

But, now...




Isn't the dining room gorgeous! I have to say, it is a real step up for the GTC. Well, ok, maybe it is not quite as nice yet but it will be. The plus side was that the space seems larger now. And that the columns seem farther apart. Jay and I drive by the space on our way home every day. We had started to worry that the support columns were going to cause huge issues with table arrangement. Obviously, we would have been in trouble if our million dollar restaurant ( yes, 6 zeros...) only seated 8 people. Fortunately, this worry was unjustified.

Then patio area also proved to be a spacial surprise. Looks like it will seat another 40 or so, and it is covered by one of the higher floors so it will be more useful than previously thought.

As you can see, the view doesn't suck either. You couldn't really see it in the first photo, but the dining room also has a skyline view. Once the sun goes down, it should be really pretty. The big window there (ok, the hole in the side of the building) is the bar area. The best part about this large patio is that it is free space. No rent on this footage. Yea!

After our 30 minute tour of our area was done, we made our architect, Sheila, walk us through the rest of the project, including several of the 112 residential units in the compound. WOW! If only the dogs would die tomorrow, Jay and I could totally be condo dwellers here. Unfortunately, both dogs seem to be in good health (for now...) I think I need to become a cat person.

The development is quite ginormous (note: I have no problem using this word, but I do not think it should be included in the dictionary. I am so displeased with the direction of the modern English language.)

This is the interior view from the balcony of one of the townhouses. Several of the units in the main building are 2 story lofts. They have 24 foot windows, so I am sure that window treatments will be a challange for anyone that is not an exibitionist. It just amazes me that this has gone up in just over a year. Meanwhile, Expo can't seem to finish the 10x12 bathroom for my friend DG in the same amount of time...He really hates Home Depot Expo at this point, as he should...

In the bottom left of the photo, you can see the entrance to the massive underground garage. I hope it is massive enough!



Also, please feel free to note how good Jay looks in a hard hat.

Again, the view from the green roof is amazing. Damn those dogs!!!

Anyway, the tour got us a bit more excited about the new restaurant. It has been hard to focus since it has been such a long process. We signed the lease in October of 2006, finished the construction plans in April of 2007, and have just been waiting around since then. Originally, we were supposed to be opening this month. Obviously, they are a bit behind. Now, it is starting to look like we need to get moving with our work.

Or, maybe I just need to run away to the Caribbean...

p.s. My shins are still sore.