All I can say is thank GOD it’s finally Friday. This week, while busy, felt like it took forever to go by. I’m hoping that the hours until the weekend go significantly faster, but I won’t hold my breath.

In the meantime, I’m leaving you with this song that I can’t get out of my head. It was running through there as I fell asleep last night, again when I woke up, and the whole way to work this morning – even as I listened to other songs on my iPod. I don’t know if that means it’s really good, or I’m just in a rut. But either way, here you go:

Enjoy.

(You can listen to the original version here, but the acoustic has really grown on me.)

Happy Friday the 13th! Anyone superstitious?

Note: Sadly, this is not a fun “playing doctor” story. I’ll just throw that out there now, so I don’t promote any false expectations. (That’s not to say there won’t ever be a fun story of that ilk, though, if I get my way…)

But this, this is a story about vomiting (so I guess it maybe counts as TMI?), and a request for advice.

You may not remember, but this past summer I had an unfortunate end-of-race incident, where I proceeded to puke just as I crossed the finish line. That was my ninth race, but it was the first time I’d ever been truly nauseous.

Sadly, it was not the last time.

My body seems to have made this a habit. It’s like a sick game of Duck, Duck, Goose: Run, Run, Vomit – but only during races.

About a month ago, I wrote about the Philly half-marathon, and how I had such a great time. And that was true. The part I left out was where, upon crossing the finish line, I promptly made it over to the medical tent and said, “Excuse me, I’m going to throw up – is there a trash can I could use?” But of course, when there was a receptacle at the ready, I managed to reel it in, and not need it.

Oh no, I managed to wait until we pulled into the restaurant where my parents were taking us for brunch.

And then I left my insides on the parking lot pavement, simultaneously holding my hair back and holding my medal away from my face to avoid splatter on the prize. (Priorities, you know.)

Most recently, at the Marine Corps 10k, I made it past the finish line only to book it to the sideline, squeeze myself between two people who were already there, and throw up over the barrier. (Note: to my knowledge, I did not get anything on them. They did, however, quickly leave.)

And that was the last straw. I finally made a doctor’s appointment. Then I had another with specialist. And now I have another lined up for tomorrow. The verdict so far?

“Just stop running races.“

Well, call it stubborn if you must, but I refuse to stop. There has to be another way.

And that’s where you guys come in: you’re all smart cookies – what in the hell could this possibly be? Anything you can think of: suggestions, questions that could trigger a revelation, personal experiences (though, I hope for your sakes those are few and far between), anything at all.

If you crack the case, I may even find you this hat:

And if that’s not incentive, I don’t know what is.

This may be a strange thing to write, but I really do appreciate the cleaning staff that works in my office. I know our center takes great pride in its appearance, and the cleaning staff makes sure that it can.

And personally, I love coming in to a tidy workspace, clean desk, emptied trashcan, etc.

What I don’t love, is coming into a completely reorganized desk. And by “reorganized,” I mean “everything in random piles pushed off to the sides.”

I like to think of my desk as organized chaos – but it’s still organized with everything where I want it, sorted by project and priority. Frankly, it sends my OCD into overdrive to come in and find things out of order.

To be fair, it might be better this way than when the cleaning staff moves only one or two things. I’ve sat down at my desk at times to see my coffee mug in a slightly different place, or my phone at a slightly different angle than I thought I left it, and it makes me wonder if I’m going crazy, if I’m imagining things.

At least now, with everything moved, I know that it’s not just in my head.

Not this time, anyway.

When I started running with my group I signed up with their page on Meetup.com to get the alerts and stay connected and whatnot. I didn’t fill out a whole lot of information about other interests – preferring to keep it simple – but I did agree to get an email once a week, letting me know about other Meetup groups in the area. Up until recently, I nearly always deleted those emails without reading them (unless they were from my specific group). But the other week, one of the groups in the “recommended for you” category caught my attention:

The Baltimore Area Lesbian Singles Meetup Group

Now, I don’t have anything against any of those descriptors, but only one is really applicable. (Unless DC is considered “Baltimore Area”? I don’t think so.) So, I was surprised, to say the least, but I just let it drop.

But then, yesterday, the recommendations made it clear that I need to go back into my profile settings and fix something, because this is what I was given:

1) The DC Indians Meetup Group

Okay, admittedly, this could be fun and interesting. But I’m still at a loss as to how it’s a recommendation for me.

2) FitMommi

This is what I imagine. And, judging from their page, I don't think I'm *too* far off.

FitMommi classes are designed to provide an appropriate work-out for moms who are pregnant, who just had a baby, or whose children are school-age. Classes cater to beginners, and workouts are adjusted to suit advanced attendees.

All FitMommi classes are intended to promote physical health and mental well-being, but most importantly, FitMommi classes offer a support system for moms who are likely to have the same questions, struggles, goals and priorities.

And that’s fantastic! Good for them. But, the last time I checked, I was neither pregnant, nor had recently given birth. I’m pretty sure that’s something I would notice.

3) Healthy Family Weight Loss

Just in case I didn’t get the memo from the FitMommi group, this one’s here to assure me that I can keep both myself and my family in shape. And there’s complementary daycare while the group meets. Thank goodness. Because I wouldn’t want to have to find a sitter for my imaginary children.

Now I’m kind of torn. There’s a part of me that wants to examine why I’ve been getting recommendations like these – and possibly make it stop.

But the other part is just wondering what they’ll recommend next.

It certainly makes Mondays just a little more interesting.

I really should have known better. It’s not like I hadn’t experienced the mayhem before. It’s not like I didn’t know I’d have to be dodging the masses and dealing with the intelligence-challenged. But I was on a mission.

And so, plan of attack in mind, I went to the mall on a Friday evening.

I had (naively) held out some hope that because I was going right after work, it might not be too chaotic. I was, however, very very wrong.

Okay, fine. It wasn't *exactly* like that...but close.

From the minute I stepped off the metro, I was surrounded by tweens and teens and not nearly enough chaperones. I’d forgotten how they move in packs – clearly afraid to be separated for more than a split second. And I’d forgotten how those packs don’t walk like normal people – they either shuffle, blocking your path, or they dash madly from store to store, nearly running you down in the process.

If I’d been in the mood, I would have gotten a drink and sat and people-watched. And I’m sure it would have distracted me for hours – or, at least until their curfew.

But it also made me think about how much “hanging out at the mall” has changed since I was that age.

When I was younger, my parents were concerned about “the older kids” – the ones who hung out at the mall’s arcade – and so I really only went if I was shopping for something specific. At the time I felt like that was completely unfair (but Moooooom, all the cool kids hang out at the mall). But now? It makes perfect sense.

I’ve read some articles in the past few years that mention how certain malls now enforce curfews because they feel like they’ve taken on “babysitter” roles, and they’re trying to avoid the drama that inevitably occurs when hordes of bored teens congregate. And, yes, it’s sad that it’s had to come down to actual, enforced curfews. But, based on some of the groups I saw the other night, I don’t think it’s a terrible (or unreasonable) idea.

I also don’t think I’ll be going back to the mall on a Friday night any time soon.

Lesson learned.

I’ve never been a big fan of the solo mustache – sometimes intrigued, never a fan. As you can see from this photo, even from a young age I had my concerns.

Why, Daddy? Why?

But since I’ve heard about Movember more this year than I ever have before, and it even came up in my daily news round up, I thought I would post a few fun facts and Friday photos that could make me change my mind about that upper lip…”decoration.”

1. The Obvious

2. The World Beard and Moustache Championship

I didn’t realize until now that an official competition existed – and that an American won most recently. Makes me feel all patriotic and whatnot.

3. Halloween

4. Mustache-dense nations

The article mentioned above lists India as the most mustache-dense nation. (How exactly do you measure that?)

Some estimates suggest as many as 80 percent of men in southern India wear moustaches, which immediately places that one region above most countries in terms of moustache-wearing men. Moustaches have long held an important place in Indian culture, seen as a symbol of virility. An Indian also holds the title of the world’s longest moustache, measured in 2004 at 12.5 feet. (Note: 12.5 feet?! What do you do with all that?)

5. Pure dedication

I mean, it still doesn’t do anything for me, but I can appreciate the commitment to your craft.

So here’s to Movember.

If you’re not participating, find someone who is so you can support them (and possibly mock their ’stache at the same time).

If you are, try to be creative. And please, please post photos.

I never thought I’d be one of those people whose mood was significantly affected by her sports teams’ wins and losses. Until now. I’m still not as bad as some people I know…but it has happened. Which means that today, to be dramatic, I’m in mourning. I’m even wearing black.

I suppose you could argue that because last night wasn’t totally unexpected, it should be easier to accept. But honestly, who needs 27 championships?! That’s just plain greedy.

*deep breath*

All right, I’m done for now.

Please enjoy another Andy Samberg classic (which I’m sure you’ve seen), while I mourn – and try to be productive at the same time.

(Throwing things looks like it could be so therapeutic. Sadly, I think that’s frowned upon in the office. Stupid rules.)

After reading a post a few weeks ago by Foggy Dew, in which he touched on how interesting it might be to be a window washer, I started thinking about alternative careers, myself. Now, I don’t know that I’d want to do any of these for an extended period of time (except maybe the last one), but for a week or so? Absolutely.

1. Massage Therapist

This is possibly the most vanilla of my possible career choices, but I do think it would be fun. In a purely unofficial capacity, I’ve already given out a fair share of massages to friends – and I enjoy it. (That’s not to say that I don’t a like a massage for me, too, from time to time.) I like working out the knots – getting that last little neck or back crack out.

And there are so many individual reactions to massages – vocal appreciation, shivers/twitches, even laughing when you hit those spots that are kind of ticklish, yet really need to be worked – that it makes for excellent people observing, too.

2. Baseball Umpire

I contemplated putting this one in as any kind of umpire/referee, but I think baseball might be the safest bet. I don’t want to be on the field/court/ice trying to stay out of the way of professional athletes. An umpire still has to dodge foul balls occasionally, but I like to think there’s a little less risk and a lot more perks. (Think: being the home plate umpire and seeing every player come up to the plate. Oh, those baseball pants…)

Also, considering some of the calls that have been made in this post-season, I think I’m pretty qualified. Or, at least, that I couldn’t mess up the calls anymore.

(Are there any female umpires, anyway?)

3. Construction Worker

I love power tools. I also love machinery. Maybe that’s kind of a weird thing to say. Whatever. At my high school job I got to learn how to operate a forklift and it was quite the rush. So I’d only want to do construction if I got a cool job driving one of the bulldozers or backhoes. I’m so not going to be that chick holding the Slow/Stop sign.

Please.

If she can do it...

4. “Voice”

Remember the Friends episode where Joey comments on the voice on Monica’s answering machine? (No? Just me?) “How cool would that be? ‘You have two new messages.’ ‘Please pass the pie.‘”

Okay, well I thought it was funny. And possibly one of the stranger/how-do-you-even-get-that jobs out there. Although, I suppose with more people just relying on their cell phones, answering machines are becoming more obsolete. Sad.

5. Map Creator for “Garmin – Adventure Mode”

Now this one, I think, has potential. I know that most people use their Garmins (or whatever GPS tool they have) to find directions to somewhere they’ve never been. You just want the fastest, most direct route. I get that. But when I was growing up, that wasn’t really the norm.

We used to play a car game that involved me closing my eyes after I buckled in, my parents taking all sorts of extra turns and back roads, and me trying to open my eyes just as we were pulling into the driveway. I wasn’t always successful, but the times I was, I was so proud. From any given point, I knew about a half dozen ways to get home. And from home, I knew at least three different ways to get to any mall, restaurant, friend’s house, etc.

So, I want a Garmin that doesn’t take me on the main roads. I want one that takes me by neighborhoods, through back lanes, and still pops me out by my destination in a comparable amount of time. And if I have to drive around constantly to find all those extra routes in order to create and test those adventure maps, well, so be it. I’ll take one for the team.

You rarely get this view on the highway

So, to steal again from Foggy – if you could choose an alternate career for a week (or, whatever time frame you desire), what would it be?

Dear Phillies,

First off, I’m so glad that you won last night. Really, I am. And even though you managed to let a six run lead dwindle to just two, I’m still proud that you didn’t let the Yankees end it in Philly. That really would have stung.

But here’s the thing: you’re driving me crazy the way you play with my emotions.

You win a little:

You took the first game in New York – and that was awesome! I mean, honestly, Cliff Lee – just wow. What a great way to start off the series. And then, okay, so you dropped one in New York, too. And that was fine.

But then you lose a lot:

What the heck happened in those first two games in Philly?

Lidge – your job is to close. And in the event that the game is tied in the ninth and you’ve already gotten two outs – your job is to get one more out to allow for possible extra innings. This could come up again, so I hope you’re paying attention.

And Hamels – where is your head? It’s clearly not in the game. You’re better than that. I don’t want to hear, “I just want this season to be over.” That doesn’t instill a whole lot of confidence. Especially when you’re slated for (possible) game seven.

I know that it’s possible for you guys to pull off two more wins. If I didn’t think you could, then I wouldn’t be so upset with those recent performances. I’d just be happy that the season had come this far. But you heard Rollins last night, “We can either go home now, or we can parade down Broad Street.“

The people want a parade. I think you want a parade.

So please, take this day to rest, reflect, and recuperate, and then push this series to the end. Win it in New York.

And know that even when I’m screaming obscenities at you, it’s only because I care.

So don’t fuck it up.

Love,

Liebchen

This past weekend was both ridiculously fun and utterly exhausting. I’d say thank goodness for that extra hour of sleep yesterday, but I needed much more than that for it to matter. (I know – poor me.)

So, back to Friday’s contest – the balloon boy pumpkin didn’t win. But it’s okay because this took first prize:

So detailed!

"Make love not pie!" "Watergourding is torture!"

I also loved this one:

Additionally, I was successful in my accessory search (thank you all for your advice!). What’s a genie without her lamp?

And finally, the most original costume I’ve seen yet:

If you’ve ever been approached by a flower guy, you know how appropriate this is. And you’ll appreciate how he didn’t smile all night as he awkwardly sidled up to groups, bouquet in hand.

I applaud your dedication to the character – well done, sir.

What was the best costume you saw this weekend? And if you dressed up – what were you?