52 New Things and minor update
I've been kind of shut down with stress and unhappiness over work issues recently, but change is happening, and I think there's at least a 60% chance it's for the better. If not, well, I'd almost decided to resign anyway and there are always other things to do in life. I got to thoroughly exercise the part of me that likes conflict last week.
25 - Play in a balloon pit
At black_samvara and maharetr's joint birthday party. I arrived after one of those stressful, unhappy days at work and was promptly put into a room created from the back patio and some heavy plastic, and filled six feet deep with balloons! You flail around and make noise and bump into other people you can't see and some balloons pop and it's all very colourful and therapeutic. Then you blow up balloons to pay the "balloon tax" to replace the ones that popped, and tie them off with an ingenuous, home-designed balloon-tier. Then there were dozens of kinds of desserts. Now that's my sort of party.
26 - Join in my workmates' Lotto syndicate
Just once, for last night's $90 million draw, and mostly as a team-building activity as a gesture of goodwill! I normally hassle them about their regular weekly participation, quoting statistics about the likelihood of winning and the better uses to which the money could be put. NB: we didn't win.
We're now halfway through the year and I'm up to 26 things, which is right on schedule. I'd say the best thing I've done so far (ignoring things I can't easily repeat, like the dog-sledding and riding in the snow) is learn to make wholemeal sourdough bread and bagels. I've baked almost every week since and they're now a regular part of my diet.
I ran the Perth Half Marathon very slowly in 2 hours 10 minutes the week after my 25km run, which is slower than when I did it in 2006, but still earned me the nice medal!
Today I had a full "postural assessment" with a sports physiotherapist. Nothing in particular hurt, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to do myself any damage by continuing to run 20kms+. I mentioned that my right hip, but never my left one, is sometimes a bit sore if I increase my distances over what I'm used to. She looked at me from behind, got very enthusiastic about some distortion and asked if she could bring a student in to look, as it was so interesting! Once she pointed out the problem, I could immediately see what she meant - I can't stand with my hips level. The right one pushes forward all the time and I can't bring it back without a lot of conscious effort. Amazing that something so obvious once pointed out could have totally escaped my notice. I wonder how much this relates to my driving posture, or to sitting in front of a computer with my right leg more often crossed over my left than the other way around. I have exercises and another appointment booked!
25 - Play in a balloon pit
At black_samvara and maharetr's joint birthday party. I arrived after one of those stressful, unhappy days at work and was promptly put into a room created from the back patio and some heavy plastic, and filled six feet deep with balloons! You flail around and make noise and bump into other people you can't see and some balloons pop and it's all very colourful and therapeutic. Then you blow up balloons to pay the "balloon tax" to replace the ones that popped, and tie them off with an ingenuous, home-designed balloon-tier. Then there were dozens of kinds of desserts. Now that's my sort of party.
26 - Join in my workmates' Lotto syndicate
Just once, for last night's $90 million draw, and mostly as a team-building activity as a gesture of goodwill! I normally hassle them about their regular weekly participation, quoting statistics about the likelihood of winning and the better uses to which the money could be put. NB: we didn't win.
We're now halfway through the year and I'm up to 26 things, which is right on schedule. I'd say the best thing I've done so far (ignoring things I can't easily repeat, like the dog-sledding and riding in the snow) is learn to make wholemeal sourdough bread and bagels. I've baked almost every week since and they're now a regular part of my diet.
I ran the Perth Half Marathon very slowly in 2 hours 10 minutes the week after my 25km run, which is slower than when I did it in 2006, but still earned me the nice medal!
Today I had a full "postural assessment" with a sports physiotherapist. Nothing in particular hurt, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to do myself any damage by continuing to run 20kms+. I mentioned that my right hip, but never my left one, is sometimes a bit sore if I increase my distances over what I'm used to. She looked at me from behind, got very enthusiastic about some distortion and asked if she could bring a student in to look, as it was so interesting! Once she pointed out the problem, I could immediately see what she meant - I can't stand with my hips level. The right one pushes forward all the time and I can't bring it back without a lot of conscious effort. Amazing that something so obvious once pointed out could have totally escaped my notice. I wonder how much this relates to my driving posture, or to sitting in front of a computer with my right leg more often crossed over my left than the other way around. I have exercises and another appointment booked!