Eternally devoted to Apple

When my computer was stolen in early January, all of the songs on my computer - enough to fill about three quarters of my 20 GB iPod, were also stolen. I still have most of the CDs, but I figured the downloaded music was a loss.

But it was still on my iPod, so I could still listen to it. But my iPod was acting weird - not working when it was supposed to, freezing mid-song, and just not being itself. I took it to the Genius bar, the Genius made some not too smart suggestions, and then whispered "If you google iPod Rip, you'll find the unsupported software to get your songs back into your iTunes library."

Once I'd replaced my computer, I did just that. But the software wouldn't load right, and then my computer wouldn't recognize my iPod. Now I had a half full iPod and couldn't change, add, or delete any songs.

My 15-minute phone conversation with tech support this weekend wasn't too helpful. After proclaiming that the tech had never heard of the error message I was getting, he suggested restoring my iPod to the factory settings.

He confirmed for me that this would indeed wipe out all of my music, but countered with the reminder that everything was backed up.

"No, it's not," I explained. "My computer was stolen two months ago and all the backup went with it."

He told me to email the iTunes support staff, tell them how my computer is probably living a happy second life in Mexico with its thief, and ask them to restore my downloaded library. He warned that it was a longshot, but he said I should try.

So I did. And today I got a response from Emily at Apple. She is my new very best friend, and she helped me get back 80 of the 90 songs that were stolen in the great computer (and camera, and keyboard) liberation of 2008. So please excuse me, I have to update my iPod.

Team Hike #4 - Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park

A cool breeze and grey skies made me concerned about rain, and since I've had a cold, the last thing I wanted to do was to hike in the rain yesterday. But by the time we reached to Foothill Staging Area, the rain had stopped, and, though it was still cool, the weather was ideal for a hike along a shade-free trail.

We started with pace checks to see how quickly everyone covered a flat mile and an uphill mile. My flat mile pace was pretty close to my mile pace when I walk 5K races, and I was pretty pleased about that, because I didn't feel at all strained along the trail. My uphill pace - a little more than 20 minutes - also felt good, and was much faster than I thought. I think I'll qualify for the Grand Canyon trail I want to hike.

After the first uphill mile, the trail briefly leveled out before we continued an ascent that, by the end of the hike, would total close to 2,000 feet. Saturday was a great day for this hike, since the clouds and fog provided shade and a breeze. The trail was pretty much devoid of shade, and sunshine would have been brutal.

We hiked uphill for almost two hours, but the grade wasn't too steep or grueling, or maybe all my incline training is paying off. As I hiked, I talked for awhile with a woman who hasn't been following the training plan, and she really struggled to maintain an even pace on the uphill. I was proud to reach the top still able to breathe.



Or at least we thought that was the top. The actual top was still a few hills away.



While this wasn't the most beautiful trail we've been on, it reminded me of Ireland - the hills were green and the fog hung along the hilltops and sank into the valleys. We saw some cyclists, a runner or two, and a few other hikers, but the trail was very quiet and really peaceful.



You can find the full essay on my flickr site, where you'll learn a little more about the Pleasanton Ridge trail and see photos of happy California cows.

Swimming tonight = keeping my cool tomorrow and not killing any coworkers

So here's the full deal - in the vague sort of way I've adopted of not really talking about my job. Over the past two weeks, we've been working like mad on a huge and potentially very high profile event. We've been working on it because, like lots of things we do, it came about last minute and was originally very small in scope. My place of employment has an events staff, AND THEY ROCK AT PUTTING TOGETHER EVENTS, but they're booked with events that have been planned. In advance. Like they're supposed to be.

Add to this, our newest hire, who's kind of a jerk and completely out of his element in a field he knows NOTHING about, but that's beside the point, comes from an events background in a place that had tons of money to spend, so he's looking to run a whole bunch of events in the coming year.

In my job description is a very small role in small events. But big events, with media attendance, are not in my job description. Yet here I am, picking up for a bunch of people who have NO IDEA of the scope of what we're doing.

My boss is all over the "let's do a bunch more events next year" brigade, and, if that's really part of our plan for next year, then I need to know now, so that I can look elsewhere for a job. And my boss and I will be having that conversation tomorrow. And I think I'm getting a cold, so I should look great with my red nose and scratchy throat holding a box of tissues when I approach his office.

Vent or go crazy

Please excuse me while I rage for a minute. It seemed a better idea than crying in the bathroom.

I'm a writer. I am NOT an events planner, or an admin, or a project manager for people who are too fucking stupid and incompetent to do their jobs. If I can't write in my current job, then it's become obvious that I'll have to look elsewhere, and soon. Because, right now I'm suffocating under mounds of details that should be somebody else's job. And the writing? It's not getting done. Because we're so into stupid events and things that there isn't any writing to do. And I can't live like that.

$3,945

Hey internet, I reached my fundraising minimum today!! Imagine virtual fireworks for a minute, and a big band, and balloons and streamers and a tickertape parade.

Wanting to do everything

My friends at SVDP have an available spot in one of their ski houses in Tahoe this weekend. I have Friday off, so I could drive up early Friday and help a friend do the food shopping along the way. I could hike while I'm up there, and make up for the Saturday hike I'll miss. But I'm not sure I can get home in time to get up to Napa for Mass on Sunday night. My choir is doing an exchange with a Napa church, and I really want to go.

I really want to do everything this weekend. But I'm not sure that I can. I'm also not sure that I have the $140 for the ski trip. But I've never been to Tahoe before and I really want to go and my last two trips have been cancelled, one due to wildfires and the other due to lack of snow. So I have some decisions to make in the next day or so. But I'm very, very lucky to have this problem.

Everybody say "hi, Grandma!"

Hello Internet, please wish my grandmother welcome. She might be visiting the 'nation, and we should all say hello.

In your Easter basket

Easter is by far the worst holiday to not be with my family. I'm not really sure why, but I miss everyone so much more during Holy Week than I ever have for Thanksgiving, or my birthday, or even during that Christmas I couldn't travel.

My parents don't send Easter baskets, but this year, a few items were coincidentally ready to be mailed to me in perfect time for Easter. I got my Easter package yesterday. It contained SIX boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, enough to keep me in Thin Mints and Tagalongs for the next several months. I'm thrilled, and thankful that my family could help support Faithe and Kathryne, my favorite Girl Scouts.

I also received what I've been referring to as the Easter Scarf. Some months ago, my mom started knitting a bright-colored scarf with butterfly designs knitted into it. She showed me the half-done scarf at Christmas, and we debated the difficulty of the butterflies, before agreeing that she'd knit one into each end. Then she ran out of yarn. Or didn't have enough to make the scarf long enough. Or she only had enough for a very narrow scarf. I figured the butterflies would never make their way to California.

But they're here. And the scarf is beautiful.


Here I am, modeling the scarf in my living room.


Here's a closeup of the butterfly on one end.

Happy Easter!

Buddy hike on Mt. Tamalpais; alternately an ode to my trekking poles

It was early when we started out yesterday morning, but already the air was warm and the sun was rising. We reached the parking lot of the Mt. Home Inn and I could feel my adrenaline kick in. I'd never been further up Mt. Tam than a few of the paths surrounding Mill Valley, and I was super excited to get started.

The hike started out with a gradual uphill, before a pretty steep incline that actually almost forced one of our team to turn around. But she ate, drank, and persevered, and we were on our way again, up some more before the trail leveled out and provided some spectacular views of the Ocean and the San Francisco skyline.



Overall, this wasn't as strenuous as last week's hike. Or, if it was, my trekking poles made a serious difference. I led the pack down the hill, using my poles to absorb a lot of the shock, and also using them to absorb more of my weight than my knees did. I used them on the uphill to push myself up, and they worked really well. I'd been concerned about my knee this week, but I haven't felt any after effects of all the downhill. I could now be the posterchild for Black Diamond.



We reached the West Point Inn and took some time for photos and snacks before turning around. Here's the whole group. For the full photo essay, click here.




We hiked back along a narrow, somewhat overgrown trail surrounded by beautiful wildflowers and lots of poison oak. The trail descended through a redwood grove and along a creek. Mt. Tam is beautiful. I can't wait to go back.

Countdown

In one day, I will hike on Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley. I have never gone deep into (up?) the mountain, and I'm quite excited. The spur trails I've hiked there are just beautiful.

In two days, Lent will be over, and I'll be able to have a burger and a beer. I may go out for breakfast on Sunday morning to do this.

In six days, I will be in AT&T Park to see the first Giants home game of the season. The Giants play Seattle in an exhibition game next Thursday, and I am so very excited for the return of baseball season. It'll be my first time back in the park since the unrelated-to-baseball skating trip last year.

A week from Sunday, I'll be going on a choir road trip to Napa. We're on the road to sing at a parish up there, and I think we're going out for dinner too. Napa is one of my favorite places, and I never get up there.

There's a lot to look forward to right now. Life is good.

A day in the life

6:45 am - the alarm goes off, and the news reports of the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq promise big protests in San Francisco today. I sit up in bed and ponder the safety of going to work, but decide the protesting throngs generally aren't early birds.

7:30 am - while eating breakfast, Peter Finch on KFOG reports that protesters are already swarming into the city, and the big rally planned for tonight will close the area between Civic Center and Dolores Park. I'm glad I don't have anything planned for this evening.

8:15 am - I get off the bus downtown and hear band music. Marching band music. And look, there's a band. An entire marching band making its way down Market St.

8:50 - I'm now in my building, and I can see other protesters have started to congregate around the band. At about this time, the first round of protesters are arrested further downtown. They had chained themselves to the Federal Reserve building. Reports are also starting to come in of protesters chaining themselves to the UCSF Mission Bay community center entrance in protest of the UC Regents and various UC policies.

12:15 pm - I leave the building for lunch, and am confronted with all sorts of noise and cops and traffic abatement measures as I make my way towards Washington St. and the friend I'm meeting for lunch. Within two blocks, the streets are dead and there's very little traffic. Riot gear-wearing cops have closed Market St. and Montgomery St. and rerouted all the buses and cars. It looks like I'll be walking home tonight.

2:45 pm - Sitting in my cube, I hear sirens blaring outside along Market St. The protests will continue well into the evening.

Thank you, thank you, thank you

As of this morning, I have raised $3,400 towards my Hike For Discovery goal. This wouldn't have been possible without all your support, and I wanted to say thanks. At this rate, I'll reach my $3,900 minimum by the end of March or early April. This is very exciting. Thanks for all your support!

Tense

There's a closed-door pow wow going on in my boss' office this afternoon. Unfortunately, I sit right in front of that closed door. I can't hear the specifics, but I don't think things are going well. I can feel the bad vibes out here, and, while none of the discussion has any direct bearing on me or my job, it's making me queasy.

Team Hike #3: The Marin Headlands

My carpool arrived in the parking lot of Ft. Cronkhite at about 7:40 am. The sun was had just risen, and the pink sky promised a beautiful day. Or maybe not. As we stood in the parking lot, the clouds rolled in, the wind picked up, and the crashing waves along the shore seemed to suggest ominous weather was upon us.



The trail started out uphill, not on a gentle slope, but in a pretty direct way that dared us to take on the 960 ft. elevation gain to Hill 88, the high point of this trek. Some parts were so steep that stairs had been cut into the hills. Above the stairs, the incline continued, but reaching the top of the hill felt amazing.



The top of the hill also provided the most amazing views of the Headlands and San Francisco.



I struggled a little at the beginning of this hike, but I don't think the trail was the problem. I was tired, and hadn't been feeling well at the end of the week, and I really felt it as I climbed steadily uphill. But going down wasn't nearly as tough as it's been in the past, probably thanks in part to the trekking poles a teammate lent me for awhile. I am now completely sold on them, and will be bringing mine with me next week.

The constantly changing terrain was tough, but this hike was beautiful. The Headlands were emerald green, thanks to lots of winter rain. The flowers were blooming, and the views were just spectacular. The full photo essay is here.

All's quiet on the Western front

This has been a really long week. Work stress, training commitments, and impending Holy Week have left me tired, a little sore, and not feeling the greatest.

On the good news front, there are some changes afoot at work that will take some of the pressure off of me. I'm excited and relieved and can say more in a few weeks, but it's all good news for my team, and for me too.

On the training front, my mentor, a teammate from Marin, and I did an awesome walk last night. We started at the top of the Lyon St. Steps, went down and up a few times (three? four? I lost count) then took a walk through the Presidio before having dinner. I'm starting to feel like I'm actually part of a team. Last night's walk also helped to make up for my lack of gym time this week. I'm not sure what happened, but I missed both of my gym days this week, and my abs will be angry when I get back into my routine on Sunday.

Sunday is Palm Sunday, which kicks off Holy Week, which signals that the end of Lent is very near. In eight and a half days I can have a beer. And a hamburger. I really can't wait.

Tomorrow we hike in the Marin Headlands. I'm not too excited about another hike in the rain, but at least I know my rain pants will keep me dry. I meet my carpool at 7:20, so it'll be bedtime soon. I need to get the rest of my gear together. And snacks. Last week I was ravenous after my hike, and I definitely need to bring more food this week.

A super-special birthday shout out to my mom!

1, 2, 3, all together now:

Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear mom,
Happy birthday to you.

My mom has a milestone birthday on Tuesday, and, though she hasn't said anything about it recently, she's really not too happy about it. The past year has been a lousy one, and my birthday wish for her is for a very good year.

We bought her a Wii for her birthday. I'm sure if you ask nicely she might give up the Wii-mote for a minute so you can play too. But she'll beat you at bowling.

Happy birthday, mom!

Team Hike #2: Redwood Regional Park in Oakland

The alarm was set for 6 am, but I woke up at about 5:45 and decided to start my day. The sun wasn't up yet, but the absence of early morning fog was a good indicator that a great day was about to start. I got myself together, remembered the sandwiches, and was on the bus by about 6:45.

NOTE: Blogger's photo function is down today. The full photo essay is here.

The sun was shining, the weather was surprisingly warm for that early in the day, and I met my carpool without a problem at the Starbucks on Van Ness. We drove over the bridge, and reached the park with about 20 minutes to spare. Redwood Regional Park, a part of the East Bay Regional Parks District, is in the hills above Oakland. Our day started with clinics on conditioning and first aid - where I learned that one of our hikers always carries a poncho in her pack. In case she has to leave somebody on the trail, she can shroud that person in the poncho. I'm a little scared.

We learned how to do crunches and push ups and some stretches to get the rest of our bodies in shape, and then we hit the trail. We hiked in pace groups this time, based on our assessment of our hiking speed. I started off with a mid-paced group, and ended up moving forward to one of the faster paced groups. We wound our way along the Dunn Trail, merged with the Baccharis Trail, and along the Ridge Trail.

The trail incorporated shaded areas surrounded by second-growth Redwood trees and areas that were clear of overhead obstructions, from which we could see down the hills into Oakland and across the Bay. We didn't see much wildlife this time, but this shared trail was very popular with bikers and dog walkers.

Probably the best part of the trail was the steep decline near the turn-around point. We lost a lot of elevation in less than a half mile, and then had to turn around, and, in order to get back to our starting point, we had to climb up the hill. The downhill portion was rough for me, but going back up felt really good. I think all my training is paying off, because I could still carry on a labored conversation as I walked.

At the end of the hike, we had a potluck lunch and heard from two of the patient honorees who are participating with us this year. One of the honorees, Hank, is about to start his second round of chemotherapy to treat the same type of leukemia my dad has. He talked about his first round of treatment, how he got involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and how helpful their services are to patients.

We know we're working hard, both physically and in our fundraising efforts, but having Hank and Kim and others as illustrations of what our work really means is very powerful. So far, our team has raised about $75,000, and most of that money will benefit patients in the Bay Area and local research institutions working to cure cancer.

I think I've hit a wall

My training is going well. My fundraising is going really well - I'm very, very close to the halfway point. I'm really excited about my hike tomorrow. I like the people I've gotten to know so far in this process.

But I'm tired and a little sore and kind of fed up with this whole thing today. I'm frustrated that weekly carpools have become sort of a hassle, instead of being easily facilitated as was originally represented to me before I signed up. I'm annoyed that I have to be up so early tomorrow to meet my carpool 20 minutes from home at 7:10 am, and that I have to trek my gear, clothes, and a bunch of sandwiches for the potluck on the bus with me before the sun fully rises.

Today I'm feeling like nothing is well organized, like my budget is being busted at every turn, and that I'll probably be hassled on Van Ness Ave. tomorrow by homeless drunks who covet my turkey sandwiches.

I know this is probably just a wall that everyone encounters in the training process. I'm still trying to figure out how to best fit the training schedule to the rest of my life, and these past few weeks, I haven't done too well at that, and I think I overtrained and underslept. I'm also trying to figure out how to eat to meet my increased exercise level, and I haven't quite perfected that yet. I really need some guidance, and I feel like the people who are supposed to be there to offer it aren't easily accessible or well enough informed to provide what I need.

I'm trying to remember the bigger picture - the work my teammates and I are doing on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - and the impact that will have on scores of people throughout the nation.

So, with my training walk out of the way at lunch today, I'm going to go home tonight, cook a good dinner (I'm thinking shrimp and polenta) and get a good night's sleep. And hope that tomorrow morning I don't feel like biting anybody's head off.

My Walgreens Doesn't Carry Ramen

After my workout this evening I went to the grocery store. I'd eaten a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner before starting my training regimen, but I was still hungry and wanted some veggies and hummus. I'm also feeling a little sniffly from my allergies, and I wanted some soup. Ramen Noodles, to be exact. The chicken-flavored kind. I also needed to stock up on provisions, because my cupboards are so bare that I think dust bunnies are gathering in the corners.

I walked the three blocks from the gym to the grocery store, only to find out it closes at 8 pm; not 9 pm like I remembered. But Walgreens is just across the street, and it's open 24 hours.

The Walgreens' in this city include an aisle or two of some food products - usually bread, soups, and lots of chips and things. No veggies, but I thought for sure I could pick up a loaf of bread, some peanut butter (for tomorrow's lunch) and Ramen Noodles for tonight.

I walked up the food aisle. I walked down the food aisle. I walked around the corner to the other food aisle. I saw chips and soda and ice cream and milk. And a selection of shrimp in a can. But no bread. No peanut butter. And NO RAMEN.

This shop is a disgrace to San Francisco. Every corner market and deli and convenience store sells Ramen Noodles. Now I'm hungry and munching on dry crackers. This is not what I had in mind as a bedtime snack.

The occasional training update, in which I vow to never be without my camera again

Yesterday was incline day, and I made plans to walk with a coworker up to Coit Tower. It's a trek she makes often on her lunch hour, and I was excited to have the company after my first solo venture in that direction last week.

We left our office on Montgomery St. at about 12:20 pm. The sun was shining, but a slight breeze wafted through the financial district as we made our way from the office buildings to a more residential area, and up the hill to Montgomery and Green Sts. There, our breathing became a bit more labored, as we walked down the Filbert St. Steps to Levi Plaza, then back up the steps (hundreds of them which connect little alleys to Filbert St.) to Coit Tower at the top of the hill. The shining sun made the Bay sparkle, and all the flowers along the way were in full bloom. It was beautiful! Unfortunately, my camera was at home, still not unpacked from my weekend trip. I will never make that mistake again.

We were nearing the end of our lap around the Tower when the bells from Sts. Peter and Paul Church chimed 1 pm, and we quickly made our descent from the tower, back down the stairs to Montgomery St., down the hill, and back to work.

All totaled, that hour-long journey probably involved hundreds of steps (built to carry people along streets that are too hilly for sidewalks) and around three miles, most of it uphill. I can't wait to tackle this route again!

Do you have a favorite walking route in San Francisco? Maybe a favorite set of steps somewhere in the city? Pass them on, as I'll be looking for new routes to walk over my lunch break and at the end of the day.

Birthdays, birthdays, everywhere!

Let the birthday acknowledgments begin with very happy belated birthdays to two cousins - one who probably would like to remain anonymous for fear of the government or something, and the other who's name is Jim. He hasn't popped into the 'nation in awhile. Please think good thoughts for his continued improved health.

Angel turned 28 last week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It sounds like the year is getting off to a great start.

And now, for the head start on the March 6 festivities:

Brian's birthday is cleverly embedded in his blog address, so I can never forget it. He's having job woes, so please think good thoughts for their resolution.

And the last birthday shout out is saved for a best friend who will remain anonymous, in case she doesn't want to deal with the fact that we are now solidly entrenched in our 30s. A very, very happy birthday - I hope we get to celebrate many more decades together!!

And, now, for my first ever guest blog (sort of)

While I was away at Congress this weekend, the rest of my team was either taking hike along San Francisco's Land's End trail (my favorite hike in the city) or learning how to use trekking poles out at the Sutro Baths. I missed it, but you can read a little about it on my teammate Deepa's blog. Her link is also to the left. My regular training postings will resume soon, right after I unpack all the new music I brought home from Congress.