Running - Training day 1

The run today was pretty frustrating.  I felt like I was moving boulders instead of legs (please keep your jokes to yourself ;-) How have I gotten so out of shape in such a short time?  My muscles didn't want to wake up and Sophie kept stopping to sniff things, apparently you can't completely train the hound out of a pup!

After 1.5 miles I wanted to stop and pout, but I didn't!  I switched my iPod to Matisyahu and grooved to the beat while running up hills back home.

When my run was complete I checked my time...2.5 miles in 26 minutes?  That's not bad at all!!!  I should stop being so hard on myself and enjoy the beautiful day next time ;-)

Ironic about perspective

It's so ironic (and frustrating) that within a week of posting the entry about perspective, I'm feeling quite the opposite.  I haven't been so negative, frustrated and angry in a really long time.  There is no specific reason for it, just that I have too much on my plate and keep adding more.

Why do I do this to myself?  Because there are endless things to be interested in in this world...but limited time to experience them.  When is there time to dance, run, study, work, communicate, love and laugh in the same life?  I'm lacking the communication and time for love and laughter right now...and it's wearing on me.

One of my favorite things is spending unconstrained and stress-less time with the friends and family that I love.  Right now I have NO TIME!  The allotted time with my loved ones has strict boundaries on it and that is one of my LEAST favorite things.  It's important to devote time to the relationships that you care about, and to allow that time to be free and giving...now those times are filled with thinking about the other things on my plate and I have nothing to give.

Like a good diet, in life balance is essential, and it is lacking in a major way.

I feel like I've gone to Zoopas and am only eating pasta.  Buttery, fattening pasta...when there are rows and rows of other amazing foods to be had...but I'm just concentrating on the pasta right now...which is good at first...but after the 4th plate it gets a little tiring.

Running - It's getting serious!

I'm once again training for a 1/2 marathon starting now(ish).  Sooo...there will once be much running and little sugar intake in my near future.  This year I'm commiting to expanding my strength training program and increasing the amount I stretch.  This combined with the possible weight loss expected with cutting out the sugar will decrease injuries...well...at least that is the plan.

It's a little nerve racking starting this process again.  I have a lot on my plate right now, and am worried that I'm overloading that plate to the point of breaking.  I will keep record of this experience on my blog. Who knows if it will be interesting (probably not :) but it will be on here none the less.

Perspective

I have a difficult time expressing my frustration about anything in my life.  With my expression of frustration comes much guilt.  I know that it's legitimate for me to be upset that the bus is late or that it's raining outside...or even that sometimes my friends make me upset.  But do I really have it that bad?  NO!  My life is blessed, compared to the majority of the world!

It's difficult for me to figure out how much expression of disappointment and frustration is appropriate and healthy.  When does it cross the line to just plain whiny-ness? I tend to lean to the side of not complaining because I feel guilt when I do...but then where does the frustration and disappointment go?

For instance:

Photo from PBS article 

I understand that it sucks that we are currently having crappy summer weather in Seattle and I also understand that we are free to express our frustration with the lack of sun. This article explains exactly how Autumn-esc our (supposed) summer has been this year: Komo New Article

However, when I opened this article about Somalia's current situation I was about 2 seconds from crying.

Our weather is not great, but we have food and we have blankets to wrap ourselves in at the park...and we have umbrellas and rain jackets when the water starts dropping.  We are not experiencing anything even close to what those in other parts of the world are enduring...heck...we aren't even having to put up with what many people in other parts of our country are experiencing right now.

When I find myself complaining (which is way too often...ummm...like---every day): I immediately don't understand myself because my life is so blessed!

• I'm tired because I'm taking classes while working full time: I can AFFORD to have the opportunity to go to college.
• I'm sick of being single: I live in a portion of the world where women are FREE to be single and make THEIR OWN decision!
• My pants are fitting a little tight: I have TOOO MUCH food (amazing!!!)

And the reason for many of the blessings in my life is the simple chance of location at birth...it's not because I'm better or more loved by God than those in other parts of the world.  It's a random fact...a fact that is quite convenient for my life...but quite inconvenient for millions of others.

So, Seattle friends, although you may continue to complain about our weather I will ignore you, if you don't mind. I will continue to be thankful for the fact that the temperature is not 125 degrees and that there is food on my table every meal of every day.

Rather than complaining about my frustrations and disappointment I will try to (but expect to fail often) give them to God! He is better at taking care of problems than I am anyway.

Art - Nick Cave Soundsuit

When I first entered the exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum I was not completely enthusiastic by the idea. I thought some of the suits went a little overboard...and didn't really understand the point. I was like:
'WTH man...there's a bear made out of sweaters?'

After some time of walking through the exhibit, I began to like the different suits that were surrounding me and finally fell in love with the concept. The change happened when I saw a plaque in one of the back rooms, with the original Soundsuits, which explained the idea and reason for the art.

The soundsuits originated in Nick Cave's mind, just after the beating of Rodney King in 1991. He was sitting under a tree in a park contemplating that perhaps if Rodney had been masked, and cops had not know that he was a black man, the beating might have never happened.

His first suit started by him picking up a twig from under the tree.  He made an entire suit out of the twigs,  suit that would have masked King’s identity as a black male. After completing the suit, Cave put it on and heard the twigs rubbing together, making quite a bit of noise...and the name Soundsuit was born.

Nick Cave has said the following about the concept: 'When someone’s gender, race, and class are masked others must look at that someone with new eyes. At a masquerade, for example, we have to decide about each figure we meet whether to run from it or hug it.'

I want to hug it!
Sometimes I struggle with the concept of art.  What makes something art? This is an age old question, and I'm not even going to try to pretend like I know the answer.  However, what I do (think) I know is that what is art to one person is not necessarily art to the next. I also know that the Nick Cave Soundsuits are art (to me). They touch something deep within my soul.  Perhaps it's because I understand the purposeful masking of onesself to trully express what is within.I relate to the soundsuits. 

A not-so-secret part of me is the part that enjoys dressing up in costume.  I take every chance I'm presented with to be a mascot or to wear a silly wig.  I enjoy expressing myself without words, and also enjoy that, when wearing a complete costume people  have no idea who I am.  It's so much fun to act like a complete goof ball with noone knowing that it's you (although I'm usually a goof ball even when I don't have anything covering my face).

In addition to the freedom of your identity, these suits also offer a ton of fun because the materials moves in a great way when you dance.  I've never worn one...but I'm pretty sure it would make my year if I ever got the opportunity.  In the exhibit there was a video with some of the suits dancing and watching it actually made me giddy...a reactiont that was not expected.
Nick Cave has said,  “Movement is a method of protest. Without movement there is no sound, but movement activates.”

Youtube video

I got the opportunity to see some of the suits dance while they were in Seattle, and took some quick photos :)