I'd suggest you run fast, unless you want to be it

Apparently there's a game of tag going on here in Blog Land. And I couldn't outrun Teacherwoman, because she tagged me. So now I'm it.

The rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.

So those are the rules. Guess I know what I have to do.

Seven random things about me?

1. I had a really bad cross bite when I was 4-years-old. So bad, my dentist made me wear a retainer. But once I was finished wearing it? My dentist let me choose a prize. I choose a Barbie wearing a red and white heart dress. I still have the Barbie.
2. I broke my right wrist when I fell off a piece of playground equipment in kindergarten. Truthfully? I think I fell because I was impressed with the boys in my class who were jumping off the equipment. Me? I just lost my balance.
   
3. I've lived in two states: Wisconsin and Indiana. But I only lasted 365 days in Indiana. I moved there on Halloween and promptly left the next Halloween.
4. One of my favorite college classes? The Political History of the Modern Olympics. Seriously. It was this professor who just "lectured" by telling us all these cool Olympic stories. Best. History. Class. Ever. It was also the last time the class was offered.
5. I'm a nail biter. I've tried to quit. Many times. But I can't.
6. I thought about going to law school for about two minutes. Then I realized that was three extra years of school. Instead I've taken the opportunity to learn about criminal law through my job by sitting in many, many courtrooms as a crime and grime reporter.
7. I had a fish once and I murdered him. It was a beta fish and his name was Felipe. I didn't want the fish. He was unfriendly. And unsocial. And refused to swim. Mostly, he'd sit and stare at the wall. So I "forgot" to feed him. But he wouldn't die. Then I "forgot" to clean the water. Still alive. I didn't want to flush the living Felipe down the toilet. What if he swam back up? So I admit. I killed my fish in a brutal fashion. I threw him, bowl and all, into the icy cold March waters of Lake Mendota. Who knows, maybe Felipe's still swimming around the lake six years later.

Now I've got to tag seven people huh? Let's see, how about Mandy, Crystal, Kritta, Miss Inside Girl, Milwaukee Buckeye, Mr. Outside Boy and Deloris.

There was food there too, but that wasn't the reason for the gathering

It was kind of a big night last night.

And I admit, I was a bit nervous about it all day. The hands on the clock? They couldn't reach 5 p.m. quick enough. Because once I was done with work? The Coach and I were hitting the road.

It was time for him to meet my family.

Mom had organized a little dinner get together for us. And while we were there, The Coach met my parents, my brother, his wife and The Rugrats in addition to my aunt and uncle and their two sons. So yes, it was a good sized chunk of family. Later on the way home, The Coach said it kind of felt like it was Meet The Coach night. I had to admit, it kind of was. But it was so much easier to meet a chunk at once rather than drag it out over a long, long time.

But The Coach? He held his own. He talked shed-building tactics with Dad, school stuff with my sister-in-law, even talked hunting stuff with the guys in my family (who ironically, don't hunt, yet Dad owns a shotgun). And the littlest Rugrat? He was fascinated by The Coach and kept giving him the "watch what kind of trouble I'm capable of getting into" eye that he's perfected.

A day later, I've had the chance to talk to my family. And so far, it sounds good. Mom and Dad obviously liked him (Mom had met him back in December when I was super sick) and I've even gotten a pair of thumbs up from my brother and his wife, who said he was a very nice young guy.

So I think it's safe to say The Coach passed the test last night. Just goes to show me again that he's a keeper.

Monday randomness

Random stuff today, so you get a list.

• I had the day off since I'm scheduled to pull weekend reporter duty. That being said, I didn't have many plans for today. My list? It consisted of two tasks. I finished one.
• The Focus needed an oil change. That got done.
• I wanted to make a trip to the YMCA to run. Didn't make it there. I think it's because I'm still so tired from this weekend because I didn't get a whole lot of sleep. And being tired and trying to run? Doesn't usually work so well. So I didn't go. Plus, I had a headache.
• Since I was in Appleton for an oil change, I went over and spent the afternoon at my parents' house. I got to spend time with Mom. And two of The Rugrats. That was good. I haven't seen them in a while.
• While there, I ended up taking a two-hour nap. Very unlike me. I told you I was tired.
• And I hate to admit this, but do you know what song is quite catchy? The Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana song "See You Again." That my friends is why I try not to listen to the radio. But I had the radio on in the car most of the weekend and I heard the song. A lot. And like I said, it's catchy. Could make for a good song to put on a running play list. And while wandering around Amazon.com, I noticed I could download the track for a whopping 89 cents. So I did. Please don't shoot me. Or make fun of me.

Is that a typo in the TV schedule?

It's a Sunday. Usually my Sundays are very low key. No big plans. No big list of things to do. Maybe throw some laundry in the wash so I have clean clothes to wear during the upcoming week.

But today? There's actually something to look forward to.

The highlight of my day?

Actually being able to watch a Wisconsin basketball game on TV rather than having to listen to play by play on the radio. Why?

Because for the first time in weeks, the game's not on that crappy Big Ten Network! Yeah! It's a good day. Even if we are traveling to Columbus, Ohio to take on those pesky Buckeyes.

But still. I get to watch basketball. And that makes me a happy Badgergirl.

I've been looking forward to Friday night forever

It's finally here. The moment I've been looking forward to all day.

No. All week. Nah. All month? Let's just put it this way, I've been looking forward to tonight's events for a long time.

My dear friend Krista's in town today. And plans involve Mexican food. And girl time. And there will be alcoholic beverages consumed. And we'll have fun.

Because I've missed her since she moved away. And I'm so excited she's here!

There was one person missing at the slacker meeting tonight

I'm proud of myself. I resisted slacker mode today.

When I left for work this morning, I had good intentions. My gym bag was packed and it was thrown in the backseat of my car, ready to be utilized when I got done with the daily grind. It's been two weeks since I last visited the YMCA and gosh darn it, it was time I showed my face there again.

But then I worked. And most of the day I still had intentions to get to the YMCA. But all of a sudden quitting time came. And my intentions? They flew out the window or something. Because all of a sudden I was thinking of excuses.

It's cold outside. My gym bag has been sitting in my car all day, which means my gym clothes? They'll be ice cold. I'm going to watch The Coach play basketball in three hours. I have a few simple errands to run. It's cold outside.

So I left my office and I was pretty sure that gym bag was just going to sit in my car.

But then I got to the corner. And instead of turning right, I turned left. And I made it to the YMCA. Because it's been two weeks. And that's a long time. And I need to get back into a routine. And I miss how I feel after a decent workout.

So I ran. It was only a 2 mile run, and I did stop for a brief walk break somewhere in the middle. But still. The important thing is I ran. And I've missed it so much. And want to get back to the point where I was last summer. Because running for me? It relaxes me and gives me the opportunity to clear my head.

Today was a good day. I resisted the slacker urge. And hopefully today was the beginning of getting back on track. Because if I don't find that track, that Green Bay half marathon? It's really not going to happen. And there's a slim chance it might still be doable for me if I manage to find the motivation to run again and stick to a schedule.

I'm crossing my fingers.

That's a free meal for you

I like my family. I'm close to them, and enjoy spending time with them.

So after moving away for college, spending the worst 365 days of my life in Indiana for my first job and then a 3-year stint in Beaver Dam, I've been extremely thankful that I've was able to find a job I enjoy 30 minutes down the highway from where I grew up. It makes it easy to get home for family functions and I don't really think twice about driving up to my parents' house on a whim over the weekend.

As a result? I see my Mom a lot. About once a week. More some weeks. Let's just say we have a very close mother-daughter relationship, something that's only grown stronger over the past few years I think.

But she was out of town this last weekend, so I didn't get a chance to see her. Yes, it wasn't a big deal. It's not like I was heartbroken because I couldn't see my Mom. But still. I'm a creature of habit, so going almost two weeks without seeing Mom? It's different for me.

And I'm pretty sure she feels the same way. Because tonight? Mom made the drive down to the City on the Water and we met for dinner. We weren't very creative. We ended up going to get the buffet at Pizza Hut. I'm not usually a buffet person, because I can't justify the price considering the small amount of food I eat. But it was busy there tonight. And the buffet would be much easier, and faster, to order than an actual order.

Turns out it was cheaper too.

Apparently the manger lady thought we had never been to a Pizza Hut buffet before. What? Where do you think we come from? The sticks? Maybe it was because I was concerned about the availability of plain pizza on the buffet. But Mom and I ate. We found plain pizza. Although I do admit, I was disappointed in the breadstick selection. Really. How do you manage to run out of breadsticks during the dinner rush hour?

But the waitress brought our bill. And we were finishing up. And then the manager lady came over to our table. Asked us how our dinner was. We said it was good. And then the manager lady paused, picked up our bill and said our dinner was on her.

What?

Mom and I were confused. We didn't complain. We said the service was good. Yet the manager lady was telling us our dinner was free? Is that even legal at a Pizza Hut? Apparently so. We actually felt a little weird, walking out of the restaurant without having to deal with a bill. And even though I normally don't tip at a buffet-type restaurant, I scoured through my purse, looking for a tip. Unfortunately I had just cleaned it out the other day, so all I had was $1.50. And we made it a point to thank the manager lady, again, when we left.

But still. It was weird. Free pizza at the Pizza Hut buffet. And we didn't even have to complain.

Guess I might go back there someday.

I'm ready to cast my vote

It's voting day tomorrow.

And I think I've finally made up my mind.

It's taken me a little while to decide. There isn't a particular candidate that I'm gun ho about. I had it narrowed down to two candidates, and yes, I hemmed and hawed about which one I would end up marking the box that's next to their name. But honestly, there are just a few too many things about Candidate A that don't sit well with me. So I can't check that box.

At some point tomorrow I'll be making my way to the polls. And I'll check the box next to Candidate B's name. And I think I'll be happy with my decision. Because I like a good chunk of the things Candidate B stands for and I think they could be a good president.

And if Candidate B isn't an option in November, then I'll have this same problem. But that's November. It's still February and last I checked, Candidate B was an option. So that's the box I'm going to check.