trip to Maymont

Here are pictures Rebekah took of our trip to Richmond. Most of them are of Maymont, which is a wildlife preserve, gardens, historical site, and museum. The extra kid is Aubrey's boyfriend Parker.

best songwriters?

Who are the best songwriters ever? Heck if I know. I suppose you'd have to say Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Bach, Rush (as a unit), and Elton John and Bernie Taupin (as a unit) are right up there. I submit Rob Thomas as a very good songwriter. Whether you like him in general or not, you must admit that he can write songs like the very wind. Here is a very simple one he put out recently (and in danger of being overplayed), "Her Diamonds":

I ran a half marathon

So I ran my first half marathon on Saturday in Richmond, VA. Here is my training schedule (borrowed from someone else, thus the "planners" don't belong to me):

Before the race:


Start of the race:

The scenery was wonderful during this race. We ran many bridges over rivers. I was surprised by a few trails we had to run: steep, rocks, roots, the works. I was happy just to not break my ankle in those parts. I was also surprised by the many flights of stairs we ran. It was fun running along a major highway and getting honked at. We got cheered on by spectators, but there were also long stretches without seeing anyone besides the runners. And the runners were so spaced out that there were plenty of times when I could only see Becka's heels. Becka was a chick who I found myself following almost from the beginning. Her pace was perfect, so I just zoned out and watched her heels going along with the music in my ears. With her permission, I followed her for about 10 miles. Thanks to her, I don't even remember huge stretches of the race, and I believe it was because of her that I got such a good time for me: 2 hours, 30 minutes, 10 seconds. (In the video below it says 2:34, but I started the race 4 minutes after the first heat.) I came in 346th place, and 23 people finished after me. I met my goals for time and for finishing (not to be dead last).

End of the race (you pick--tiny or lopsided version):

Becka and me:





The last mile was an absolute killer, and my foot was bleeding by the time I finished, but this was one of the best things I ever did in my life. I was absolutely high and full of myself afterward. Let's do it again!

Lawrence Welk and other subjects

In movies the protagonist evolves. In TV shows everyone but the protagonist evolves. House producers might have done something very risky for a TV show: they allowed a very well-received mean curmudgeon to evolve a smidge. It was so very gratifying. Favorite moments from the season premiere: House doing a faceplant into his farewell cake, Alvie's smiley face shirt House was wearing as he drove away from the psychiatric hospital in the back of a bus, House sticking out his tongue to show he hadn't swallowed his pills, House crying while getting busy with German lady, House dancing with German lady, House rapping onstage, cello lady.

The fam and I went to Richmond, Virginia this weekend to see the sights and for me to run a half marathon. I will make a post later to address the running, but for a teaser, here is a picture of my bloody shoe just after the race was over:

People in Richmond apparently don't know how to properly use apostrophes. The first picture is a Chili's restaurant sign (Monday's instead of Mondays), and the second is from a museum display about bats (who's instead of whose). I am always amazed that signs that are going to be seen by hundreds or thousands of people manage to get printed with mistakes.

Also on my trip to Richmond I re-discovered the joy that is Lawrence Welk (cheers, George!). I simply couldn't decide between two videos, so I put them both in:


My favorite synonyms for walk: saunter, amble, trudge, toddle, meander, lumber, perambulate, canter, hoof it, locomote, plod, promenade, shamble, slog, stride, traipse

dead man's party

Video of the day. This made me happy. 1 minute, 30 seconds

Bones again (and again)

Get This Quote - Find more at TVLoop


Last night's 5th season premiere of Bones was so good I have seen it three times now.


I am running a half marathon in a week. I don't mean it will take me a week, but rather the race takes place one week from tomorrow. Once again, I need some songs for my ipod playlist to listen to while I run. (Listening to an ipod while running isn't permitted at the race, but they told me that it is not policed. I would die trying to run without the tunes, so I will use my ipod anyway.) Please help me out by suggesting songs. What gets you moving? I have some good songs already, but I have worn them out.

high five for me

Look what I found in my inbox this morning:

"KIMBERLY H________

Congratulations! You have been recognized by R____ P_______for a job well done in the following competency(ies):
K____ D___ & Kimberly, thank you for the commitment and hard work displayed in completing 13 SSJs in a very short turn around to satisfy an audit requirement. Your dedication is noted and very appreciated!

9/16/2009"

the whizometer

Here is Jerry juggling at the Washington, DC Protest Tea Party this past Saturday. See the Capitol Building, the American flag, and the "Don't Tread on Me" flag in the background?

Here is a closeup of the sign he made and had hung around his neck. Lots of people took his picture.

Some people like to dress up their llamas.

To measure your urine stream speed, use the Whizometer.

"How Does the Whizometer Work?

"Easily installed in any standard men's urinal, The Whizometer is activated through normal urinal use. A patron's stream of 'Whiz' is aimed into the device, which instantly registers speed in Miles Per Hour.

"Our production standards result in a durable unit, built to withstand the most abusive restroom environments. The Whizometer is designed for easy installation, cleaning, and maintenance. We take product quality very seriously, and this unit is designed to exacting specifications and built to last. Some of the advanced design features include:
High Impact Engineering Grade Plastic.
High Strength Stainless Steel Axles.
State of the Art Electronics.
Built in Lighting for Dark Urinals.
Advanced Urnodynamic Turbine Design.
Factory Calibrated for Assured Accuracy.
Cleaning is Easy With a Simple Once a Day Spray (of cleaner that is)."

I personally feel discriminated against, as there is no whizometer for females.

That leads us to the quotation of the day: "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again." Book of Mormon, Alma 41:15

And here is the second quotation of the day: "...I find that ugly people, in general, are nicer because they know they can't use their looks to get by and because they've developed compassion from going through life unattractive." --Marty Nemko, kiplinger.com

I hate politics

Quotation of the day, from Gulliver's Travels: "He was perfectly astonished with the historical account gave him of our [England's] affairs during the last century; protesting 'it was only a heap of conspiracies, rebellions, murders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, the very worst effects that avarice, faction, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, cruelty, rage, madness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition, could produce.'” This is why I hate politics. How can any one person (I) have any power against all the potential vices of such players?

Second quotation of the day: "It's been lovely waltzing with you , but now I have to fart." --Anonymous

I can't wait for Bones to start September 17.