Studies, Skates, and Stupid Drivers

I know this entry is arriving a day late, but I have a really good excuse: I spent most of last night working on a paper for my Teaching and Learning Theory class. The old me (the one that took almost 13 years to finish a Bachelor of Arts degree) would have passed the paper in weeks late, if at all, but the new me is aiming for straight A’s. Hopefully all this effort results in some steady employment next year. Anyone out there looking for a music teacher?

I was just as productive physically as I was mentally. Instead of spending my lunch break in the computer lab, I strapped on a pair of skates and headed to the Aitken Center with my friends Justin, Kristi, and Bill. I hadn’t skated since I was a teenager, and my first few loops were awkward at best, especially compared to Justin (a hockey player) and Kristi (a former figure skater). I did show signs of improvement though, so I may make the NHL just yet.

I supplemented that activity with a relatively long run. I tacked an extra 10 minutes onto my normal loop last night, and, aside from a little fatigue from the skating, felt relatively good. I am slowly coming out of last week’s rut, and am even showing signs of losing weight. I still need to lose around 15 pounds to be in race shape – most of it’s in my belly – but I have nine months to make that happen, so I won’t force the issue. I might need that insulation for those cold February nights.

One thing I will mention to all of you before I go back to my schoolwork. ALWAYS ensure that drivers see you before stepping in front of their cars. Last night I ran in front of an idling car, only to have the driver hit the gas in hopes of making a sudden left turn. Luckily she missed – I jumped and hollered at the same time, which did the trick – but a moment in either direction and I would have finished my run in an ambulance. Yes, drivers should pay more attention to pedestrians, but all the shouldas and couldas in the world won’t protect you from a broken hip if a car doesn’t see you on the road.

Okay, enough of my ranting. Back to work I go!