Monday Meanderings

This week is going to be interesting. My dad is staying with us. All week. He has an opportunity to do a temp job for the week – for some extra money – so he is staying with us while he does it. I do hope it works out. It is working for a friend of ours who tells great stories about how annoyed she gets with workers. Much of it is based on the fact they do not have a good work ethic, but my dad is an opinionated one (I learned from the best), so it should be intersting to see if he also brought his patience and tact with him.

But the good news is the fact that one of the girls has a school performance tomorrow night. So, for the first time, he will get to see one of his grandkids in something school related. I hope it is the 2×4 he needs to get more involved in things. I mean, at the end of the day, they are NOT that far away from us. And he was a man would would drive 5hrs each way to see me play softball in college during the middle of the week.

Needless to say, this could present some challenges. Like taking HNT pictures. Like chatting online with prospecitve playmates. Like computer time in general. All I do have to say is that I hope he is out of here Friday like he said he would be. I have a possible playdate myself. And I really don’t want to have to make up some story about why I’m out. Plus, we were planning on using my place for the fun too. Assuming scheduling goes as we both hope.

I saw an article this morning on the local newschannel’s site entitled “High School Padding: ‘It works’, says Teachers.” The article is about how parents have demanded that a Texas school (of course) reinstitutes paddling as punishment. First off, I love my Texas friends – but if there is going to be a resurgence in “the old way”, it always seems to start in Texas: The Greatest State in the Union. Land of no open container laws (but it doesn’t mean you can drink and drive!). Land of “Don’t mess with Texas!” Anyway, all I kept thinking as I read this article is how I wonder how many kinks this will unlock for these teenagers. It has all of the makings of a bad erotica story about paddling and the student that keeps getting in trouble purposefully so s/he can get punished. Seriously though, the first time an 18 year old is supposed to get this consequence, it should be interesting to see what happens. I mean, it doesn’t matter what their parents’ signed in terms of waivers – at 18 even under your parents roof, you don’t forfeit all rights.

Does any else’s state broadcast the top speed of speeders caught by police? Over the past couple years, I have noticed more and more there being articles about this car getting clocked at 140 mph in a 50. Or this motorcycle getting clocked at 157 in a 50. And each time they also are quick to point out what the person was driving. I always wonder if this is a good idea publicizing this information. I mean, last year after a car was clocked at a high speed, there were others almost trying to copy it. Get their name in lights, if you will, for a $450 ticket. Even in the comments to the article, people were discussing the bike – was it possible to go that fast and if so, what would you have to do to the bike, etc. I can only hope someone at the news site will look at the comments and ask if this was a good article to post as it did the opposite of deter people.

I finished my week last week having logged 15 miles of running. I really need to increase that number. I have had this realization that I am about 10 weeks away from the half marathon. And with the way time seems to be going lately, that means it will be here next week. Oh, and I should mention based on a couple comments I got yesterday that my shoes are relatively new. They don’t have nearly the miles on them that previous pairs have had.
Plus, runners should check out the book Born to Run to really make them question the shoe industry as a whole. (Let’s just say this whole idea of changing your shoes comes from their marketing and less from research.) I do change my shoes often, but I look at many factors in making that decision. Number of miles on them in simply one of them. Also, another interesting fact from that book – the older women get the better runners they become. Our ability to continue running as we age is great then men’s ability. Check out the top 10 finishers of a race – compare men against women. I think you’ll be surprised at the difference in ages. In the half marathon I did last fall, most of the top 10 finishers for women were 30+ – heavy emphasis on the +. Kind of a weird, interesting phenomenon.

And I leave you with the quote DJ read to us out of her book The Double-Daring Book for Girls:

“Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” ~ Helen Keller

5 Comments Add yours

  1. DCHY says:

    Oh yeah…it’s gonna be an interesting week for you and I will go out of my way to talk to you as often as possible. 😉

  2. Its always fun to try and hide the extracurricular activities with parents.

    Just how nosy is your dad?

  3. Hubman says:

    It’s always fun when parents visit. At least Veronica’s mom insist that we go out on a date and she’ll watch the kids when she visits.

    I hope you have a good visit!

  4. Ms Scarlett says:

    I hope your week is “not so” interesting… and is just fun instead.

    I agree with you on the runners – I replace mine based more off the mileage (and whether I can afford the fancy new ones I want) than what the shoe industry says. Good luck with the training!! Go hard girl!

  5. Joker_SATX says:

    Here is hoping that your stay with your Dad does turn out to be fun and no family drama or friction.

    Yeah, we think different down here in Texas. Do I agree with it all…not really. I just enjoy watching the pendulum swing.

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