Posted on March 20, 2007 @ 4:07 AM | 1 comments
Comments:
oh fun!! i can't wait for pics.
- meegan
notsosimple.net
By 
, at
4:08 PM, March 21, 2007
I've always had periodic anemia, but this is the first extended stint. It's not that surprising-- high-intensity training flushes vitamins and minerals from the body at an alarming rate. And my iron was never *that* low... it was pretty normal. Blood clinics technically require your iron to be higher than "normal" because donating can knock it down several points.
Nevertheless, I got fed up after being turned away and started adding iron supplements to my daily diet. I take a chelated iron tablet of 100 percent RDA around lunchtime with 500mg Vitamin C (supposed to help absorption) and a B-complex multi. After a few weeks, I attempted to donate and was told my iron was still too low, but it had risen a few points.
Today, when my blood failed to sink to the bottom of the iron test tube, I prepared to go back to work. As usual, they took two small phials of blood and spun them to determine if my iron count was borderline... and for the first time ever, my blood passed the count after being spun!
So here I am, one pint lighter and happy to have completed my altruistic duty for another 8 weeks. Yay blood!
Update: Ironically, the Puget Sound Blood Center called me when I got home to ask me if I'd donate. Whoops... guess they haven't updated their system yet. Also interesting to note is that this is the first time I've been in a blood clinic (or doctor's office, for that matter) that someone has been able to find my arrhythmia. It went undiagnosed for a long time because typically once my pulse is elevated (exercise, nerves, etc.) it goes away. I finally had to wear a heart monitor to get it recorded and investigated. It's a benign pre-Atrial contraction but I still had to reassure the lady on the bloodmobile that I wasn't going to keel over and die.
Posted on March 12, 2007 @ 1:39 PM | 2 comments
Comments:
I had to wear a heart monitor once too...in high school. They figured out it was mitral valve prolapse. I've never given blood...I've never run across the opportunity, and I'm not fond enough of needles to go seek them out. Good for you, for doing it though!
By 
sometrouble, at
2:54 PM, March 13, 2007
speaking of blood, (not that you'll be blood relatives, but, er, it's a stretch?), where's the wedding info!? =-( if you guys aren't making plans yet, make something up! think of your single 20-something readers who need to live vicariously. haha. wow do i suck drastically.
By , at
7:38 PM, March 13, 2007
We ran 17 miles yesterday to give ourselves the option to party Saturday night and so I could attend my littlest sister's violin concert in Bellevue today.
Our run took us from Kenmore through Woodinville and down into Redmond along the Sammamish River Trail. It's a fairly rural route, which is nice, and only had a slight overlap with the route we took from Marymoor on the 13-mile run.
The good part was that Jeff rode his bike along with us as a mule and fed us water, snacks, and conversation when we needed it. It makes the long distances more tolerable. But the bad part was that the gloomy weather made 17 miles seem like it stretched on forever.
My knee started giving me grief around 7 miles so I popped more Aleve and used Icy Hot for the first time to good results (it's ICY, then it's HOT! Holy crap!) but it wore off and so I gimped along grumbling the rest of the way. As long as I kept moving, my knee felt OK, but if I stopped it cramped up to the point of being almost immovable. It's a bit stiff today and pops if I walk on it a lot, but I think it will be fine.
So the end result was we stopped a bit more than I would have liked so I could take care of myself, but our pace when we were moving was consistent with what I expected. We did have to take one scenic break to watch a duck fight with a fish it had caught. When we ran back by the duck after the turnaround, it was still struggling to swallow the too-giant fish whole.
Our total time was 3:07, about 15 minutes longer than our time without stopping (which was my original target). I can't complain but man, I wouldn't want to do it again. Our 19-mile run is in Amsterdam, so it will at least be very engaging.
Saturday night found us at a couple different get-togethers. I had plenty of time to soak my knee in a friend's hot tub with the unfortunate side-effect of taking a nasty spill on the slippery deck and banging up my opposite shin and buttcheek. I've got two huge bruises on my leg and it hurts to sit now, but at the time all the rum and coke made me think less of it.
It's just bad weekend for injuries. Not more than two hours ago I slipped while cutting onions for curry and drove our santoku deep into my middle finger, slicing my nail in half. OW. It certainly won't make practicing the guitar any easier.
My little sis's concert was fabulous. She's a really great violinist-- much better at her instrument than I was at playing clarinet in that grade. I'm really proud of her. I know she's got her own blog now. I just need her to remind me of the address so I can link to it.
I'm not too keen on this whole "daylight savings" thing being earlier. I guess it sucks either way, but it certainly made getting home at 2:30 AM last night a whole hour more painful. I took a two-hour nap today to make up for running and drinking myself into a stupor, but I'm ready to go sleep another eight hours. Wake me when this week is over.
Posted on March 11, 2007 @ 10:33 PM | 0 comments
Comments:
A woman jumped off the Aurora Bridge on Friday morning and survived, a Seattle police spokesman said.
Officers received the call at 7:46 a.m. and the department's harbor patrol responded, said police spokesman Sean Whitcomb.He said the harbor patrol's quick response time contributed to the woman receiving medical help.The woman is believed to be in her 20s or 30s.
Firefighters responded to 900 N. Northlake Way shortly after 7:50 a.m., according to the Seattle Fire Department's Web site.After Seattle police brought her to shore, firefighters administered medical care, said Lt. Sue Stangl, a Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman.
The woman's exact injuries were unknown.
Medics took the woman to Harborview Medical Center, Stangl said.
Posted on @ 4:34 PM | 0 comments
Comments:
I work at a company in Fremont, west of Adobe and Getty, alongside the George Washington/Aurora Bridge. If you know anything about Seattle, you know the bridge's reputation as a suicide hotspot. Somewhere between 5 and 30 people kill themselves by jumping from the bridge each year-- the numbers vary on what source you reference and are vague as the police no longer release them. This morning, someone ended their life against the pavement of the Adobe parking lot or in the cold waters of the ship canal.
There were five police cars, maybe more, and two ambulances. Those whose apartments and offices overlook the canal underneath the bridge were out on the balcony, some visibly stricken. The paramedics were closing the doors to the ambulance and, as I biked by, they sped off. I couldn't see whether they were working to keep someone alive, but their urgency gave me some sense of hope that the 3-second fall from the bridge to earth were not the last seconds this person will live.
It's unlikely that they survived. Hitting the water from 175 feet is like slamming yourself into a ton of bricks:
A 160-pound person covers the 180 feet in 2.2 seconds. Depending upon the configuration of the body during the fall, final speed is about 55 m.p.h. Force at impact is about 28,000 foot-pounds, equivalent in energy to being blasted by 20 30-30 Winchester rifles from a distance of 180 feet.
About 1 in 10 people survive the fall-- that is, those who don't "dry jump" into the parking lot. About 20% of jumpers from the bridge hit cement. Or cars. Or (it hasn't happened yet) an unfortunate employee.
Seeing the aftermath up close made me feel rattled, hollow, and unsettled. I can't be angry at someone for wanting to take their own life; I've dealt with suicidal thoughts in the past. But it does bother me that someone would make a public spectacle of their death. Suicide is a traumatic event for everyone involved: family, friends, loved ones, etc. Why should a jumper involve strangers?
Anyway, I've been reading all morning about suicide statistics and stories about the Aurora bridge. Here are more sad stories about this cursed landmark:
- An overview of the "suicide bridge"
- The Stranger's article on Jumpers
- Wikipedia's look at the Aurora bridge
- Seattle Pi's article on the suicide prevention phones that were installed last December
- WSDOT's project for suicide prevention
Posted on March 09, 2007 @ 5:08 PM | 11 comments
Comments:
It actually takes 3.35 seconds to free fall 180 feet. But it was The Stranger that provided those figures...math might not be that writer's strongest suit.
By Justin, at
10:40 PM, March 09, 2007
I think it's normal to feel anger as well as sorrow for the suicidal person. When someone commits suicide in public, they involve bystanders by default, which is very traumatic.
Suicide is very sad, but it's also very selfish of people to not think about the impact that their decision will have on others. I understand that suicidal folks have more pressing issues to deal with inside which can prevent them from considering others, but it still doesn't change the fact that there decision has far-reaching impacts on many others.
By Rachel, at
11:06 AM, March 10, 2007
"What right does a jumper have to involve strangers?" Taking one's own life is the exercise of what, for some, has become their only remaining inalienable right. What right do you have to take offense to what for that person has become the climax of their personal hell? Not everyone is in possession of a firearm, sleeping pills, or a bath tub.
Close your eyes until you get to your computer to blog about it.
By , at
11:57 AM, March 10, 2007
i agree with sam. i have a cousin-in-law on the other side of the country who is severely bulemic, self-mutliates and has tried to commit suicide. she has a mix of supportive and not-so-supportive family members. she's been in and out of many treatments. after almost 2 decades of this behavior (in varying degress of severity), her mother-in-law (my mom's sister) is understandably worn out. (the cousin is estranged from her own family due to issues stemming from sexual / physical abuse as a child). the woman's husband and mother-in-law have taken to blaming her for "not being there for her children." she has 2, age 12 and 10, and other family member and friends have enveloped them with love and nurturing throughout their lives because their mother is so fragile and her state obviously is traumatizing to them. but as much as she loves them, she is often not even in a state to take care of either them or herself; this is not an opinin, just what the decades of agony have shown. she is just not able to do more for her kids; that is a burden for others, unfortuantely. as it is with the suicidal jumper: sure, on some level these people are making "choices," but sometimes, christ, people just aren't in a place where we should expect them to be altruistic and able to care about others' needs.
By , at
6:57 PM, March 10, 2007
*bulimic. color me illiterate.
By , at
6:59 PM, March 10, 2007
I think the main point here is that suicide is traumatic and that people are very divided on their opinions of the end result of someone taking their own life. Neither opinion is "correct" and harsh critical words of someone else's opinion on a blog comment (ironically, it was a critical comment about blogging in a blog post...) do nothing except blindly criticize. But hay, that's the internet.
Regardless, I don't think that people necessarily decide to feel one way or another about an issue such as suicide. How you truly feel about an issue usually comes up when you are confronted with that issue.
By Rachel, at
10:49 PM, March 10, 2007
Sam-- I never said I was offended by their choice to end their life in front of strangers. Ultimately, even someone who takes their life at home involves people they don't know-- paramedics, funeral home workers, whomever.
I was certainly affected... enough that I had to stop, think, and write about it. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
I agree that people have a right to take their lives, but glorifying suicide as someone's "only remaining inalienable right" is, in my opinion, taking it a little too far-- there are always other options.
By Kat, at
4:33 PM, March 11, 2007
i just think it's amusing that rachel seems to often come to kat's "defense" when testy blog comments are posted ... i think the lady of the house has thicker skin than that, but, i guess it's cool yer buds gots her virtual back ... ?
By , at
1:10 PM, March 12, 2007
I appreciate it when Rachel clarifies the situation-- she might be able to respond more quickly than I can. That's what friends are for! :)
And yes, I do have pretty thick skin. This is the Internet after all; it's easy to misinterpret the written word. :)
By Kat, at
1:39 PM, March 12, 2007
Yeah I'm her friend, but she can definitely handle the heat herself. What interests me the most is discussing emotional responses in relation to traumatic situations. Also, how quick strangers are to judge other strangers on the internet regarding their personal reflections on life.
Buuuuut again, that's is teh internets. Equal parts interesting and irritating in being able to express yourself to perfect strangers who care enough to make drama out of thoughts.
By Rachel, at
2:44 PM, March 12, 2007
well, suicide tends to be a hot button issue. can't imagine why someone might feel, to steal a verb, "irked."
By , at
5:10 PM, March 12, 2007
My toenail fell off.
I had perfect feet until I took up distance running. Anything in the 5-10k range was fine, but once I went upwards of 8 miles, I started getting strange, painless blisters on a few of my toe-tips. This didn't bother me, but when I noticed the second toenail on my right foot sort of "thickening" I got a little grossed out.
I'm not a feet person. I think feet are gross, yet here I am blogging about them. Yech.
After my first marathon, that toenail looked screwed up for a little while and then sort of went back to normal. But right away when I started running it thickened up again. I didn't care much that it was tough, but then it turned purple and started to hurt. I let it bother me for about a day before taking a needle and draining the massive blood blister behind it.
The blister was gone but the purple remained. Actually, it was more of a brackish black. I told Justin to take a look at it, and that's when he noticed that my nail wasn't actually attached except at the nail bed. EW. That freaked me out... but it didn't really feel any different.
So I cut off my toenail.
Now I have a black circle of nastiness where my nail is supposed to be. It doesn't hurt and it's not soft-- it's almost like another nail formed underneath the old one. But this new nail is kind of like Sloth from Goonies-- it just didn't come out right.
I'm terribly self-conscious about it and I have yoga at noon tomorrow. I'll try painting it, but I think it will be like putting a hat on a second head to try to cover it up. Oh well, I guess I won't be wearing sandals any time soon.
Posted on March 07, 2007 @ 4:15 PM | 5 comments
Comments:
Ewww eww eww!!
I had something similar happen in high school actually, after I stubbed mine really hard. I did try to paint over it. I don't think anyone was fooled -- if anyone noticed at all.
By Lazy Lightning, at
7:07 PM, March 07, 2007
toastily. EEWW!! eeww!! EEWW!!
just what i want to read after stepping off a plane----LAX -- SEA.
sushi -- friday?
.jeff
By espresso...yum, at
1:33 AM, March 08, 2007
The legendary bruised and detaching toenails are very common with long distance runners, but how horrifying when it *actually* happens to your own toenail. Yucky fu.
You do have a good excuse if someone asks you about it: "ACTUALLY, I'm training for a marathon!" I'm sure it will turn a normal color and grow back in good time. But yeah, I've had gross feet history, I can relate to how embarrassing it can be. I won't laugh at you. But I will require one long, curious stare, okay?
By Rachel, at
7:06 AM, March 08, 2007
It's a badge of honour. Wear it well.
My wife lost her first toe nail in last years Round the Bay 30km race. This after about 12 marathons.
Myself, I have never lost a toe nail but do indeed get some nasty blisters.
By running42k, at
12:07 PM, March 08, 2007
just make sure you paint the rest of your toenails too...or it might look a little conspicuous. :o)
When I filed back taxes last year, they were more than happy to take my money (kindly without fees) and rather slowly and obligingly deposited what they owed me into my account. It took some time for them to credit me for one of the years they owed me, but they did-- ironically just before I called to inquire as to why it wasn't yet in my account. I had thought, however, that everything was all sorted out. I guess they decided that instead of me owing them in 2002, they owed me. Oh well, I can't complain and I certainly ain't looking this gift horse in the mouth. That's $139 more for Amsterdam. Drinks on me!
Posted on March 05, 2007 @ 6:25 PM | 1 comments
Comments:
gonna take you up on that one!! need one by then!!
By , at
7:55 AM, March 07, 2007
Justin and I are progressing wonderfully on our marathon training. Last weekend we put off our 15 mile run until Monday evening, when it was near freezing and raining, but made good time despite the dark and damp (2:35:23). Today we clocked 1:20 for 8 miles. I'm hoping we can maintain the 10 minute mile for the marathon. If we can, I'll beat my last PR by an hour. I'm more in favor of factoring an extra half hour for God knows what.
This weekend has been lovely and relaxing. We turned down an invitation to go to Vancouver with Tom & Amy in favor of actually spending a little time being homebodies and leaving ourselves open to taking things as they came our way. Too often, we get tied up in weekend activities and errands, which means we don't get any time to chill.
We spent all of last weekend involved in Max's two-day intensive bondage workshop (NSFW), learning all the knotwork and rigging required to safely do suspension bondage. It was a great experience to share-- very intimate, somewhat strenuous, and a LOT of fun. But at a staggering 13 hours (6.5 each day, plus lunch), we didn't have any time left for much else.
Weekends like that are the reason I've been enjoying sleeping late and taking it easy. Yesterday, we biked to Ballard and ate lunch at Oaxaca, which has the most amazing mole pork I've ever eaten. It ranks up there in the top 10 things I've ever eaten anywhere... but I think the Hokkaido Sea Scallops from Chez Shea still top it. Justin had Christmas gift cards at both Second Ascent and Vertical World, so we spent some time spending free cash on rock climbing gear, some of which will be used for suspension bondage and some of which will be actually used to climb rocks. Heh.
I just got a Macbook Pro to replace the Dell craptop my work gave me-- and though this MBP is from last summer and is a loaner until my newer, better one gets here, it's already 500 times better. When my Adobe CS software arrives, I'll be completely computer-blissed. :D
I'm sitting now in Chocolati Cafe in Wallingford, working on some card designs and blogging intermittently while Justin studies with some of his nursing cohort. His lovely mom is taking us out to dinner in half an hour. We're short one car because Justin finally got around to putting his Mazda in the shop to repair the damage from the collision last fall. It won't be back until next Tuesday, but for some reason I keep forgetting it's gone. The fact that we have no car pops into my head only frequently enough to keep me from actually trying to drive anywhere-- but infrequently enough that I've had to cancel several plans I made over the last week because I forgot it was gone. It took me until half an hour before my guitar lesson (when I was getting changed to leave) to realize that there was no way for me to get there. Hurr.
Finally, let me share a little bit of time-wasting Internet fun. Last week, I read this CNN.com article: Asian Americans condemn 'Why I Hate Blacks' column. I decided that I just had to see what he had written, so I googled his name. Thus began my intrepid journey. The column is available reprinted at various blogs (google it yourself), as are the other humorless rants he's written. But what really struck me weren't the columns but the other google results. Apparently Eng is an author. He keeps a wonderful blog (not really) at Amazon. And he's written nearly 98% of the positive reviews for his own completely insane book. The farther down the rabbit hole I went, the weirder it got. Apparently Eng promoted his book an Asimov forums under other names as well, stating it was better than the entire Wheel of Time series. I really can't vouch for Robert Jordan but... uh... still. His sociopathic ramblings reached IGN comics when he emailed someone there last year. This hilarious exchange followed. The icing on the cake is that Eng is also a self-described "ardent furry fanatic," as he admits in this crazy-ass press release. But really, to get a true glimpse of his genius, read this interview in ForeWord Magazine. It still has me laughing.
These two posts in Wired's Table of Malcontents sum up the insanity better than I ever could:
The Narrative Stylings of Kenneth Eng, God
The Church of Kenneth Eng, God
If you read anything, read those. Trust me, it's worth it. I never thought after reading that article on CNN.com, I'd end up... here.
Posted on March 04, 2007 @ 4:19 PM | 1 comments
Comments:
Two thumbs down if it wasn't a singing nastygram. Srsly, the lack of creativity these days... *tsk tsk tsk*
Hopefully you can forget and move on from the silly nastygram asshattery. Your energy can be so much better spent on other things. Like holyshitwererunninganothermarathonrealsoonweeeee!
By Rachel, at
2:48 PM, March 05, 2007
