We have a winner!

I've entered everyone's name who entered the drawing into an online randomizer, which did its magic, and I've notified the person whose name landed at the top of the heap that she's the winner of my extra copy of Gary Taubes' Good Calories, Bad Calories. Thanks for participating, and I wish I could send the book to each of you.

When I let the dogs out this morning I was surprised and slightly irritated at the sound and sight of sleet accumulating on the porch and driveway. All the preparation I did for the impending ice storm last weekend did some good – Mr. Shrinking Knitter believes that if you worry about something enough, it won't happen. This stuff that's coming down this morning, though? I didn't hear a peep out of any forecaster that this was coming through.

In fact, according to my little weather widget, today is supposed to be partly cloudy, but the Weather Channel has us under a winter weather advisory. I'd semi-planned to get out of the house today; guess I'll stay in and knit clean.

My 40-minute run yesterday was supposed to be easy, but it felt hard to me and I was greatly disappointed in how slow and sluggish I felt. It crossed my mind while I was slogging along that maybe I wasn't meant to run. It was cold, so I wore long pants, a technical t-shirt and a fleece cover-up. I was sweating after the first half-mile and was quite literally dripping by the time I finished three. Yes, you read it right. I only did three miles in 40 minutes. I didn't feel like I was slacking; I just couldn't get going. Today is a cross training day, which is probably going to be limited to mopping, vaccuuming and dusting, since my shoulder still hurts.

Have I mentioned how much I'd like to be able to lift weights? Why yes, I think I have. Remind me of that the next time I start whining, okay?

Laura asked if I was planning to run the half or the full Country Music race. I've registered for the half, but am keeping my options open. These race directors don't mind at all if you pay them more money and change your mind about which distance you want to go. There's a time limit, of course, so I'll have to decide at some point.

Other than that, not much else is going on. My sweater should be dry today and I'll try to get a photo taken. Next in the queue is one of those cute little newsboy caps. I found this pattern that looks pretty quick to do and is the style I'm going for. There are cabled ones and lace ones and ribbed ones and felted ones, but I just want a simple one. I think I'll do it in red.

Then, of course, I'll need red mittens to match. One good thing about snow … it's great weather for knitting.

One down, 19 to go

My first week of marathon training left much to be desired, but I'm consoling myself with the fact that there's still a lot of time before the race. I allowed a couple of things to get in my way of completing all my runs last week and, realistically, I think this month will probably end up being quite a bit less than perfect. It's good to have the plan, though, and much better to give a little effort than to just toss my sneakers in a corner until January.

I'm almost embarrassed to say this, but I really miss being able to play with the dumbbells and barbell and weight bench, oh my. How I resisted it for weeks and weeks! I still have pain in my shoulder, but it's far less than it was before Thanksgiving and certainly not worth commenting on. I'm hoping a couple more weeks of rest will be what it needs to truly and finally heal.

Today's your last chance to enter the drawing for Good Calories, Bad Calories; I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning. I misspoke [mistyped?] when I said I was still reading the prologue; Eisenhower's struggles are described in the first chapter, but I haven't had the time or energy to go any further.

I finished my pink sweater and it fits! I was so surprised; I always think something I knit will be too big or too small. I need to block it and then I'll get a photo up. The strong vertical lines of the cables are very flattering, as is the color, and I know I'll wear this sweater a lot. It'll look good with dress pants or jeans – don't you love it when you find something versatile and flattering at the same time?

Barbra asked in yesterday's comments if there was anything she – or you – could do for the inmates. I can't give any specific information, but I can and do urge you to write to your representatives and senators to let them know how you feel about Draconian drug laws and mandatory minimums. They work for you; they need to know how you feel. This country's war on drugs is a big failure and our tough-on-crime stance has done nothing to reduce prison populations or to effect the successful transition from prison to community.

Along the same lines, vote for people who believe that we need a change in the way we dispense justice. I've long felt and said that convicted felons serve their sentences the rest of their lives, whether they're incarcerated or not. They always have to check that box on employment applications, and they are looked down upon by most of society. The women at Alderson spend their first six months out of prison in halfway houses, which are located on the same block as the drug dealers. They're set up to fail, right out of the gate.

If you know someone coming out of prison, or even know of someone, give him or her a chance. They've been isolated from society for a long time, they frequently have a chip on their shoulder and their job and social skills aren't going to get them very far. They need to learn to accept what is and move forward to what can be, and we need to show them a little kindness and tolerance.

If you've never worked with or known a convicted felon, you might be surprised to learn that many of them – most, in fact – aren't much different from you or me. They made a poor decision, took a wrong turn, usually when they were young and they're often spending the better part of their young adult lives paying for it.

I'm not saying they don't deserve to be punished, and neither are they. They all accept that they could have made better and different choices, and they need to pay for those choices. Our mandatory minimum drug laws are far too harsh and are being applied far too liberally to small-time dealers and users who could probably learn their lesson after six months of prison and a long term on house arrest, where they would still be able to work, take care of their families and contribute to society.

Sorry about that … I'll get off the soapbox now.

An early obligation

It's rare that I ever have to be up and out of the house by 7:45 a.m. Don't hate me because I don't have a job. Heh. Today, though, was an exception, and a fun one it was.

As both all of you regular readers know, I volunteer at Alderson Federal Prison Camp. Holidays are not fun for inmates; no matter where they are, their families are usually far away. But at Alderson, anyway, the staff does what they can to make life a little more festive during this time of year.

A longtime tradition at Alderson is a holiday decorating contest, and I was asked to be a judge again this year. I think this is the fourth time I've participated. There are eight housing units at Alderson and each unit prepares and presents a skit, complete with props, costumes and decorations. They get a small amount of money for supplies, but most of their creations are made of discarded cardboard boxes, pine cones, wheat grass and tempera paint.

They come up with a theme – they varied this year from Chistmas celebrations around the world to a version of Home Alone to a variety of characters from Disney animated films – write a script, cast the roles and spend weeks making decorations, backdrops and costumes.

You wouldn't think this kind of talent could be found in a prison, but the creativity, enthusiasm and energy I saw this morning were amazing. They'll be glad to leave it all behind when they walk out the gate, but I won't soon forget the inspiring experience I had this morning.

So. That had nothing to do with fitness or knitting, did it? We'll get back to our regular programming tomorrow. Thanks for indulging me and letting me get off track today. My holidays are much brighter.

Tomorrow is your last day to enter the drawing for Gary Taubes' book Good Calories, Bad Calories. An e-mail to shrinkingknitter AT citynet DOT net with "GCBC" in the subject line is all it takes to enter. You don't have to write, dance, sing, draw or otherwise prove yourself to have a chance. I'll announce the winner Wednesday.

Friday Quote Day

Whatever you are,
be a good one.

Abraham Lincoln

I've been forgetting about the regular Friday quotes around here recently. I guess that makes me a not-very-good blogger. Sorry, Abe!

You all have been very good little commenters, and I thank you very much for jumping in and telling me I'm making you think. I know you wish I could make you think-without-the-"k," but that's just not possible; if it were, I'd do it. And I'd be good at it, too.

Being good at something takes effort, dedication, commitment, willingness, energy and enthusiasm. Think about the various hats you wear – parent, friend, child, sibling, employee, employer – and all of those qualities are necessary. You couldn't be good at any of those roles without them.

This blog's purpose, as stated in the header, is to reclaim my health. To be good at that, I need … well, it's all up there in the first sentence of the last paragraph. After nearly two years blogging about it, I'm certainly fitter than I was when I started, but I'm still not where I'd like to be. As I said yesterday though, I think accepting what is will help me get where I want to go.

I'm not very good at that. Yet.

I started reading Good Calories, Bad Calories last night. [Have you entered the drawing for my extra copy yet? I'm going to nag you until you do!] I'm still in the prologue, in which Mr. Taubes describes Dwight Eisenhower's efforts to stay fit and healthy. I was struck by the lengths to which the former President would go to try to lose weight. He liked oatmeal for breakfast, but when he couldn't lose weight he switched to fruit, and then cut that first meal out altogether. The less he ate, the more weight he gained. He struggled for the last dozen or so years of his life. Could I relate? You bet. I'm hoping to get some good information from this book.

I did my second training run yesterday, which was again 40 minutes, but more strenuous than the first one. I was slightly faster – I cut 39 seconds off my per-mile pace [from 12:54 to 12:15] – and I enjoyed every minute of it. I felt I'd done a good job when I finished, and I realized that I have 19 more weeks to improve. I don't have to be fast this week; in fact, I don't have to be fast at all. I only have to give it my best effort, dedication, commitment, willingness, energy and enthusiasm.

That's all. Heh.

My, my, I'm introspective and serious this morning. To lighten things up and add a little knitting content, I finished a sweater this morning. No, not the pink one [but I only have 147 rows to go on the second sleeve and it'll be finished]. This one:
You, too, can make your own hideous Christmas sweater! Go here for some virtual knitting fun. If you're on dial-up, be prepared for a lengthy wait for the flash-y stuff to load. And there's festive music, too, so turn the sound down if you decide to knit one at work.

Would a good employee play around with flash knitting websites on company time? Hmmm.

I'm not there [yet]*

Before I go any further – heck, before I even begin! – I'd like to encourage you to go read Erin's post from yesterday, if you haven't already. I guess if you have, you could read it again.

While I don't ever think I've wanted to dive into a plate of cheese fries – no offense if you love cheese fries, that's just not my thing – I have, occasionally, entertained the strange and enticing idea of living as if I was already where I wanted to be.

I think that's the same as accepting myself just the way I am.

In my past brushes with therapy and psychology and stuff, I've run into the theory that until one accepts what is, one cannot move on to what is to be.

Is that the same as what Yoda said? 'Do or do not. There is no try.'

Smart little guy, that Yoda.

I must admit that while in theory I believe that weight-training will maintain my bone density and running is good for my cardiovascular system, I still huff and puff and lift and grunt because I want to lose weight. I have a long way to go before self-acceptance kicks in.

But … I've been there before. I remember feeling perfectly okay with an imperfect body for at least one other extended period of my life, and at the same time enjoying exercise simply for the sake of moving and breathing and pushing myself.

I'd rather not think of all this as something else to 'work on.' I'd like to just do.

Don't forget to enter the contest for Gary Taubes' book – details at the end of this post. Don't be shy! Everyone wants to win something at least once in their life, right? This is your big chance; I don't think your odds could possibly be any better. Heh.

*This title also is a reference to the title of Todd Haynes' recently released film about Bob Dylan and which is coming soon to a theatre sort of near me! I'm kinda busy this weekend, but hope to get away next Saturday to see it.

Thinking outside the box

You know how "they" say you should incorporate more activity into your daily routine? Jonathan and M@rla stand up to work on their computers, for instance. Many of you chase toddlers, and we all park at the far end of the lot or take the stairs rather than the elevator. Right?

I don't get out much, since my job is taking care of two dogs, a husband and a house [and since 'getting out' means driving for at least an hour for just about every trip]. So the parking lot/stairway strategies aren't too helpful for me. I've been thinking about how to incorporate a vertical workstation into my office, though. Still thinking at this point.

I ran yesterday morning [a 5K in an easy 40 minutes], showered and then went out to get my hair cut [only a half-hour drive]. And since I can't seem to leave the house for just one errand, I drove another half-hour to Wally World [we don't have any other big-box options; don't hate me for spending my money there] to pick up a few things.

As I was driving, I started thinking about the whole 'more-movement' movement, and came up with what I thought was a pretty unique idea. At least I've never seen it anywhere else. After you read about it, you may think I'm ready for the loony bin.

How many times have you been advised to organize your grocery list by department – group all the produce, canned goods, frozen items, dairy – so you can get in and out of the store quickly? Well, I decided to rearrange my rather short list alphabetically.

Oh, yes, I did.

Because, really, I'm never in a hurry when I go shopping and hey … why not? Here was my list.

1. Alphabet beads
2. Apricots
3. Bananas
4. Birdseed
5. Bread
6. Coffee
7. Dog Treats
8. Lettuce
9. Mozzarella
10. Tissues
11. Trash Bags
12. Water

It sort of worked. Old habits die hard. I didn't want to pass by the lettuce in the produce section after I picked up the bananas, but I forced myself to keep moving. I got sidetracked a couple of times by Things Not on My List, but didn't feel compulsive enough to add them in the correct order. Needless to say, I did a lot of criss-crossing.

If I'd been in a hurry, I would have been in and out in 20 minutes, tops. I was actually surprised at the checkout counter to find I'd been there for an hour!

In the end, it was kind of like a scavenger hunt, only not as fun as Shauna's. Call me crazy, but I might even do it again.

It's probably a good thing that Mr. Shrinking Knitter is a psychiatrist.

Don't be shy about entering the contest to win your own copy of Good Calories, Bad Calories. I'm again sorry and completely embarrassed about giving you the wrong e-mail address. Try again if your message bounced the first time: shrinkingknitter AT citynet DOT net and put GCBC in the subject line.

How many of you ...

are old enough to remember a teen magazine called Ingenue? They had a monthly column called "Boy, Was My Face Red" that both fascinated and repelled me.

So anyway, it's my turn. Apparently I don't know my own e-mail address. I'll correct it in the previous post. If you've tried to enter the drawing for the book and my e-mail bounced back to you, it's because it's a DOT net, not a DOT com.

shrinkingknitter AT citynet DOT net

Thanks to Laura for the heads-up.

So sorry ... and, um, BOY, is my face red! Heh.

I'll take Potpourri for $200, Alex

I'm totally stealing that title idea from our favorite readhead, by the way. This post is just full of random stuff.

No knitting yesterday. Not one stitch. Perhaps it had something to do with the weather, which is absolutely balmy. If you'll remember, I started getting my knitting mojo back about the time the first snowflake fell.

I wrapped and shipped Christmas presents all day yesterday [only a few more little things to finish up – whew!], left the house at 6 p.m. for the drawing class at the prison and came home exhausted. I had every intention of knitting and watching MNF, but the game wasn't that interesting and sleep came first.

Yesterday was a scheduled rest-from-exercise day. Amazingly, I also rested-from-food. It wasn't until I was at the prison talking about upside-down-drawing that I realized I'd forgotten to eat dinner! I think I can count on one hand the number of times that happens around here.

Today is the first day of a 20-week training program for CMM. If the first four weeks don't go well – and they may not, considering it's the holiday season and all – I have a 16-week backup plan ready and waiting. What I don't like about this plan is that workouts are measured in minutes instead of miles – today, for instance, I'm supposed to run easy for 40 minutes. I think I'll wear shorts, by the way. I kind of enjoyed racking up the mileage last time I was in training. [Don't I sound like an athlete? Heh.] That's not to say I won't keep track of my miles, of course. I most definitely will.

Among the mail I picked up yesterday was yet another box from amazon.com. In it were two copies of a book I'd ordered recently. JuJu inspired me to order it; she talked about it last month, but I've always been a day late and a dollar short, so I'm just now receiving it. Er, them. I'll blame the extra copy on pilot error.

Rather than return it, I thought I might donate Copy Number Two to our local library. And then I thought, "Hmmm. Why don't I donate it to one of your libraries?" So, if you're at all interested in winning a brand-new, unread, pristine copy of Gary Taubes' Good Calories, Bad Calories, shoot me an e-mail: shrinkingknitter AT citynet DOT net and put GCBC in the subject line. You do know how to translate that to a real e-mail addy, don't you?

Deadline is December 18 at noon, a week from today. I'll use a random number generator to determine the winner, which I'll announce first thing Wednesday, December 19. The book is a rather scientific read; you might not even want it. If no one enters the contest, I'll still donate it to my local library.

Denise, if you had a blog I would totally send everyone over with get-well wishes. So sorry about your fall!

Finally – I bet you thought I was never going to shut up – yesterday's Supreme Court decision to restore federal judges' control in sentencing was the best news I heard all day. I'm hoping for more today.