Wow... 2 months since I last did a blog post. It doesn't seem like it has been that long.

I have been plagued with back trouble since April 26th, making this by far the worst back pain episode I have had. There have been a few days here or there when it has been okay, but otherwise it has been fairly consistent. One evening a few weeks ago was particularly horrible, as I was unable to even walk down the hall to the bathroom without help. With nothing stronger than Tylenol, I downed a bottle of wine, just to be able to sleep.

I have been going to PT for the last few weeks, and things have definitely improved, so I am really hopeful that I will able to complete a race soon - preferably this weekend!

Follow-up on the experiment

The experiment with the nasty girls continued in the weeks following Spring Break, with me arriving early to class to steal their seats. The first occasion resulted in lots of whispering and glares, which gave me secret pleasure in knowing I had "gotten" to them.

For the next couple of classes, they arrived after me, forcing them to sit on the other side of the classroom. I have given up with getting up early just to spite them (30 more minutes of sleep!), so they can have their seats. The point was made and it was surely satisfying.

Experiment Update

The experiment did not work today... bummer. I set my alarm early, and arrived to class 25 minutes early, thinking this would be more than enough time. Nope. The girls were already in their seats. They still scoffed and scowled as I walked past, whispering like junior high school cheerleaders.

Since Spring Break is next week, the 2nd attempt at the experiment is going to have to wait, but I am not giving up. Tuesday after Spring Break, I will arrive in class even earlier - perhaps I'll enjoy breakfast and coffee there. Results to follow...

The Experiment

I was floored yesterday when I walked into my biochem lecture, which is held in a large lecture hall with stadium seating. I was a couple minutes late and looked for the seat that would cause the least interruption to the class. The back row is split, with a cluster of 3 seats nearest to the entrance I came through. The left seat was unoccupied, while 2 girls sat in the other two seats (they always sit there). This seat was the only open aisle seat. I walked over to the seat and asked the girl to move her coat and backpack so I could sit. She shook her head and refused. I could not believe it. She would not let me sit there, instead forcing me to crawl over people to get to an open seat. I could not help but make a comment to her when I saw her on my way out of class (comment not to be repeated here).

I am setting my alarm early for class tomorrow. I plan to get there 30 minutes early to enjoy the paper. I am thinking the middle seat of those 3 seats is where I shall place myself tomorrow morning. Hmmmm... those girls are going to find their routine disrupted, and I have a feeling they are not going to like it. I have noticed that the left seat of those 3 seats is always held by this girl's belongings, so I have a feeling I am not the first to be denied the "right" to sit there. I am taking back that right tomorrow, and I can't wait to see their reaction.

Boo!

In highly disappointing and unprofessional fashion, my team sponsor from last season, Bob's Bicycles out of Boise, Idaho, decided to spontaneously yank their sponsorship of our women's team. Never mind that we had finalized our roster months ago, or that we had all signed contracts. Needless to say, I will no longer patronize this business. If they had made this decision prior to the signing of contracts, that would have been one thing; to pull out when the season is a month away is despicable. In some ways, I am actually glad that this has happened, for I would rather not represent a business that acts in such a poor manner. Plus, I have a feeling that things are going to turn out fantastic!

Photos

Lily, my neighbor cat, loves to come over and harass Pazza. She'll take a running start, launching herself up to the bedroom window where Pazza is sunbathing. She'll hang from the screen by her claws, which is really funny, but she is also ruining my screen!


Psycho Lily.


Lazy Hitcher after a walk.

I haven't updated my blog for quite some time because I really have had nothing cheery to write about. To put it mildly, it has not been a happy several months. The death of Jimmy was incredibly hard, and simultaneous relationship problems made it only that much more difficult.

Lots of changes for me. Ted decided to end our relationship 3 weeks ago, and moved out today. After 5 years of living together, it is incredibly sad and surreal. Many of his things are already gone, but he'll get the last of them in the next day or so. It seems quieter. One of the worst parts is the splitting of Shamus and Pazza. Who knows what the right thing is to do with them? They adore each other, and it pains me to think of separating them, but I selfishly also want Pazza to still be with Hitcher and me.

Hitcher is doing his part to keep me from staying too "down in the dumps." One particularly blue day, he and I headed out for our afternoon walk. I had realized a nap would be impossible when I caught him standing on my chair drinking my soup, so out we went. Hitch did his standard precursory laps around the house, sporting his spiffy black and red coat, of course. I patiently (well, kind of) waited by the front gate, leash in hand. It was at about that moment that I saw the squirrel, and realized just how close H was to it. Too late. As he violently shook the squirrel, incredibly thrilled with himself, I ran across the yard to capture him. I let out a pathetic "damsel-in-distress" scream, which caused the group of camouflage-wearing, football-playing men to come running from the park across the street. How embarassing. They asked what was wrong and I had to tell them my dog got a squirrel. They were highly unimpressed. It gave me a much-needed laugh for the day once I was sure the only blood on Hitch was from the squirrel.

Other than that, school is progressing. Since I'm in school again, I may as well throw in a few collegiate races.