John Irving, Road Trips, Painting, and MORE PROTEIN

It's been a busy few days and instead of blogging about events as they happen, I let them slide and now my brain is a mish-mash of "meant to blog about it" entries that--due to writer exhaustion--will be shortened to soundbite blurbs:

• John  Irving. Went to the hear Mr. Irving, one of the most talented writers of our time, speak at UNCG Thursday night. He asked for questions and in about 30 minutes managed to answer only 4, because every answer turned into a story. No one minded. Listening to him speak was a treat. I left feeling inspired, both about writing and life. Yet another reminder that there are books, ideas, and thoughts right in front of us just waiting to be discovered, if only we'd turn off the TV, ignore the e-mails, and participate more fully in life. 
• Road Trips. Blair and I ventured to Lynchburg this weekend, for the official book launch for our friend Edmund Schubert's book, Dreaming Creek. Ed's parents hosted us in their stunning home in the VA mountains, and this morning we went for a brisk walk with Dora the adorable German Sherpard to tour the fields, streams, and rocks. Came back inside for homemade waffles and hot coffee. Color me happy.
• Painting. However, we did not linger in Lynchburg because household chores called to us. We came home and raked the front yard, then tackled the front bedroom, which once it's painted will be known as my writer's room. Took both of us working together for almost 4 hours to get the room primed. I love our 100+ year old home, but there is an ungodly amount of window, floor, ceiling, and door trim. Blair and I are showered, but still picking primer paint off our hands.
• MORE PROTEIN. Did my last long run on Saturday. Felt sluggish, as I had when I ran 5 miles on Thursday. The last time this happened I added protein to my diet and instantly felt better. With the marathon on Saturday, every precaution must be taken to ensure perfect health. Starting to freak out. 

I have a lot of work to do this week, but am going to get plenty of rest, hydrate, and freebase protein every chance I get.

We're Going to Egypt

We're going to Egypt! At least, that's the plan. Last night Blair and I attended an informational session about a Spring 2009 group tour of Egypt. Eleven days of pyramids, temples, and ancient ruins. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Egypt, but we've been hesitant about navigating a trip there on our own. Now we have a chance to go with a tour group of 22 people and I am psyched.

Psyched that is, until they brought up luggage. They expect everyone to get by for 11 days with a 24" suitcase and one carry-one. Um, hello? That will, like, hold my shoes? Blair said this will be a good exercise for me in learning to do more with less. I told him to go soak his head.

But no--I'll make it. Rewearing clothes doesn't bother me so much, but temperatures will be in the 90's - 100's and I have no desire to rewear smelly, sweaty clothes. Let's hope the hotel and cruise ship have laundry facilities. (A trip to see remnants of ancient civilizations and I'm focused on will my whites be white. Typical.)

I'm also a little freaked by the 10-12 hour plane ride, but many of the people who attended this meeting appear in their 50's/60's so if they're up for it, so am I.

My greatest concern, as always, is leaving the cats for so long. Especially with Lucy now needing her medicine twice a day. I'm just going to have to resolve to not think about them while we're gone. Otherwise I'll obsess.

What I LOVE about this group is they suggest all of us sign up for a course at the local community college on Egypt, so we'll be studying the history and monuments well before the trip. Come January, I'm going to throw myself into reading books on Egypt so I can understand and appreciate what it is I'll be seeing. 

Egypt. I may as well say I'm going to Mars. It sounds so... out there. But I'm thrilled. Plus, I actually have a friend in Egypt. A woman in Cat Writer's of America lives in Egypt so I'm going to see if we can connect during the trip. 

Of course, many more details will follow. Most of them involving how I can pack a hairdryer and straightening iron in my luggage without Blair's noticing....

...and I Spent How Much in Gas?

Today was not the most productive use of my time. I had a 3 PM meeting in Greensboro and--under the category of "What was I thinking?"--scheduled a 2 PM phone interview. It's a 35-40 minute drive into Greensboro and my interview was going to last 30-40 minutes, meaning I wasn't going to make my meeting. So I decided I'd drive into GSO early and conduct the phone interview at the coffee shop where I'd be meeting my 3 PM. Plus, my running group meets tonight at 6, giving me enough time to change and get there after my 3 pm ended..

I drove into GSO, but once I got there my 3 PM called to say she had to cancel. Plus, it was raining with no signs of stopping, making our workout look iffy. So in essence, I drove 40 minutes into GSO today to sit in my car and conduct an interview on my cell phone, then turned around and drove 40 minutes back home. 

I think I'm going to throw in the towel for the day and just go read a book and enjoy the rain.

Cheers.

Reunion Pictures

A few photos from the 20 year high school reunion...

This is me and my beautiful cousin Amy, preparing to go to the Friday night casual (read: bar) reunion:

This is Amy and me on night two, before the dinner reunion. Note how we have exchanged curly/straight hair styles.

Amy, me, and Brett, who I've been friends with since we met on the bus on the way to kindergarten.