Big Brother

One of the rare opportunities when I get to play this role. Val definitely needed some advice about her future, so I layed it out there for her and she seemed to respond really well. I guess it's my job to be a little worried about her, but I'm fairly confident she'll succeed in whatever path she chooses.

Anyway, it made me smile today.

Thoracotomy

Well, this is what i've been waiting for. My first true "ER" experience and wow did it live up to my expectations. Multiple gunshot wounds, massive blood loss, chest cracking, cross clamping, suturing the heart. It was amazing how fast the doctors opened the guy up, closed up the wounds and stabilized the patient so that he could make it up to surgery. If that's not inspiring, I am clearly working towards the wrong profession.
All I could think about was how I wanted to be there, saving that guys life. I am dead serious. I need to work. I neeed to study. I have to focus. This is my goal and I'm gunning for it.

It's been a while ...

I think I need to start blogging again. Even if it's just a few lines. I'm not terribly too busy that I can't jot down a few of my thoughts.
I'm missing out on documenting the milestones of my life. For instance, I didn't blog about my white coat ceremony or the first half marathon I ran. These are pretty big event in my life, but I just didn't record it.
Well enough's enough!

Let's get this started again.

Running Program

So I've been on this running program created at runnersworld.com and it's going really well. There really is a science to running (I use the term loosely). The whole winter I tried to run every day and honestly it did not pay off. Five weeks into this program, and I can feel the difference. Distance doesn't phase me as much, my breathing is much more controlled, and it's fun to run again.
I love reaching different milestones in running that not only bring me to the next level, but renew my passion for the sport.

The Fred D'Elia Ridgewood Run

Memorial Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. In grade school, we would sing patriotic songs. In middle school I participated in the parade that marched around town. Soon after, I became only a spectator as I entered high school.
As for college, it meant term was over, and the unofficial start of summer it truly was.
Today I ran a 10k and I think I can truly say I ran it. I finished strong, but I still only managed to match my personal best. 45:50. I'm satisfied with the result because I'm maintaining my speed and still building endurance.
Let's see what happens a year from now!

So That's How The Did It!

Newport 10000 [UPDATE]

Hah. I knew something was up! The race distance was actually 6.56 miles, and not the 6.2 it should have been.

I knew I ran better than the previous week. My time of 50:25 was decent, coming out to 7:42 minute miles. That means my 10k was run in 47:45.

Whew, I feel a lot better about myself now. I did'nt think it was possible for me to go down in time in just one week.

Rock \m/

2nd Annual Gilda’s Run 15K

Yeah baby. 15k. Records are meant to be broken, and this was a personal goal that I am so proud to have accomplished. I mean come on 9.3 miles. I never would have dreamed I'd be able to run this far, let alone finish in under 73 minutes!
I really think this new running program is working, and along with my slow carb diet, is really pushing me to the next level. I'm curious to see the results of my training in the end.

9th Annual HOHA Classic 5 Mile Race

Now that's more like it. 5 miles in 30:50. Now why couldn't I have performed this well yesterday? I felt just as good yesterday as I did today. Strong, relaxed, confident. What could it be?

• The start time? 10 AM could have made the difference. I was wide awake, but then again I didn't get as much sleep as I did on Friday.
• Not caring? Because of how poorly performed yesterday, I really didn't care how well I did today.
• The run itself was great. By the river, and through Stevens. Maybe because I felt really good and just wanted to run.

Regardless, I'm still changing my program. If I want to reach my half marathon goal, I have to commit.

Damn that Will Ferrell is funny

LOL

I forgot how funny Dilbert comics are.
Scott Adams has such a great sense of humor and his blog at dilbertblog.typepad.com is friggin' hilarious.
Not too many things make me laugh out loud, but this blog certainly does.
Anyway let me stop blogging myself so I can read more of Adams' posts

Newport 10,000

What is going on. I was even slower today than I was last week. 50:25?! Unacceptable.
What could possible attribute to my slowness.

• I'm heavier than list year. TRUE
• My training program over the winter/spring was inadequate. TRUE
• My diet is atrocious. TRUE
• My enthusiasm is a bit lacking. TRUE

Well instead of whining about it, I'm going to take action.
Let's start by using Runners World Smart Coach
This should give me the motivation to succeed.

Wyeth 5k

Wow. The Wyeth campus in Madison, NJ is gorgeous. Giralda Farms. It was actually a very nice run. 22:19. Not bad. Boy was it humid though. It's only May and I was sweating my ass off.
I just hope this weekend I can perform my very best.

26th Annual Rubin Run

What can I say. I am utterly disappointed with my time. 49:06? Come on! Give me a break. It's not even respectable. 48 minutes I would have been ok with, but anything over is disastrous. You know what? I'm going to blame it on my immunizations.
This past Thursday I had to get my stage one Hep B and MMR inoculations. My body is fighting off these dead viruses, so of course I'm not going to be 100%.
Yeah, thats it. Let's just go with that.
Anyway, next week is a new race, the Newport 10k. I have nothing or no one to blame but myself if I come up short on that one.

My Teef Hurt

Holy Lord did my mouth hurt after getting my 4 wisdom teeth pulled. After time traveling with the anesthetic, and the Novocaine wearing off, I experienced a pain like none other in my life. Actually, I think it was just the shock after the entire procedure was over.
In any case, it made eating a really trying ordeal. Frustrating to say the least. I'm almost at the point where I can eat normally, but it still hurts.
It's over and done with so I can keep moving forward.

Happy Birthday!

Well happy birthday to me. Awesome. Just Awesome. 26 and still going strong. I look forward to every year with renewed optimism as to what life may bring. Driving home from work, I caught myself smiling just thinking about my birthday.
It's different than when I was a kid, eagerly waiting my presents. I smile because I can't wait to see where I'm going and where I'll end up. Every year of my life is better than the last and I can feel this will continue until the end.
With all that's recently happened (the flood, VA Tech shootings) it's difficult to remain optimistic. So many negative things occurring simultaneous is hard to absorb. What can you do except work on your own circle of influence. You can't control the weather, and you can't control what others, but you can live, be, and do.

Hells Yeah!

After worrying so much that Killswitch wouldn't play NYC, I finally got to see them. Didn't disappoint, save for the fact Adam D. was MIA.
The replacement guitarist from Damageplan rocked though.
What can I say? So heavy, so melodic, so metal \m/.
Ears are ringing. My head is still cloudy. Definitely a good time.
Something about being at a concert, I can "head-bang my heart out."

So Gnarly

Straight out of television, this guy comes in on a stretcher and his ankle is in a brace. I look down and his foot is sideways. Literally twisted 90 degrees!
So they take him to x-ray to make sure nothings broken and then the fun begins. They load him up on the anesthetics and pain relievers, then one resident holds on to the leg around the knee, while another takes the foot and pulls and twists it back into place.
Really exciting and I could not help but feel in awe.

Hosed

Roaming charges are ridiculous. When I was in Canada for New Years, I racked up some roaming minutes over Roger's wireless network, whatever the hell that is. 79 per minute! Are you kidding me?
It happened to coincide with my discount from work, but I'm still pissed.

1 Pint = 16 oz = 1 lb

I'm not exactly sure if these conversions are 100% correct, but between weighing myself on Monday and today, I gave a pint of blood and lost about 2 pounds. Then again, "blood is thicker than water."
I think I need the density! (nerd)

Rock On!

I hold in my hands, tickets to see Killswitch Engage at Roseland Ballroom! So kick ass. I don't even care about the other bands, I just need to see and feel KsE.
March 1st can't come soon enough.

New Milestone

Whoo! Sixty minute run. That was a long one. Well, I guess it was more of a jog, but I estimate it to be about seven miles. That much closer to the half marathon ...

Color Me Impressed

You know it takes a lot to impress me, but wow! I met this kid (I can call him a kid because I'm 25 and he's 18) at the hospital who is bursting with energy and enthusiasm to learn and work and be everything he has the potential to be. I am truly amazed.
He has a really good head on him, knows the meaning of hard work and dedication, and is not afraid to face the challenges that lie ahead of him.
It is so uplifting meeting another person like that. It validates what I have been through, and it makes me feel really great knowing that his future is in his own hands. He is taking charge of his destiny because he knows exactly who he is, what he wants, and what he is willing to do to get it.
I am in such a good mood! I only hope the advice I gave him was useful.

New Year's: 2006 - Part 2

Seven Lounge in Toronto. Where the party was at! Decent, although, I probably would have had just as much fun in a club around NJ/NY, but hey at least we were in Canada. Tons (and I do mean tons) of pics were taken to immortalize the night. It came and went so fast and I just wish I could have enjoyed it a little longer. Best thing I learned from this trip; I am not a whiskey drinker.

As for resolutions, here we go:

1. run a half-marathon
2. learn Spanish (all over again)
3. continue to blog

Well, even if 2007 is half as good as 2006 was, I'm going to love it.

New Year's: 2006 - Part 1

Toronto was really fun. Just like any other big city, only Canadian style. Hockey is literally on every tv channel and a Tim Hortons is on every corner. Day 1: We arrived in Toronto from Mark's place in Rochester around 5'ish. You can see the CN Tower from so far out because it's just that big. We check in and set off for a really good dinner, followed by a short hike to a bar. Easy! after all, New Years is the following day.
Day 2: First stop, Chinatown for some dim sum and a hair cut for Alb.
Onward to the Art Gallery of Ontario. The best feature was the wall art by Julian Opie. Pretty erotic for being so minimalistic. It's really powerful considering he's elucidating 3D visuals strictly from bold, lines in 2D. Great stuff.
From there, its back to the hotel for some dinner at a Thai restaurant before the official activities begin ...